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MARTEN RIVER — A valid licence and tag are required to legally hunt moose in Ontario and the Ontario government is sending the message to hunters that it is enforcing hunting rules to ensure a healthy moose population. Violations can be costly.
On April 8, Justice of the Peace Theodore Hodgins heard a case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice.
The court heard, in October 2017, John Schaafsma of Lasalette harvested a cow moose from a powerboat on the Marten River. He did not have a moose hunting licence in 2017. Later that fall, a second cow moose was unlawfully shot by a third party whose charges remain before the court. All members of the group assisted in processing and/or moving that second unlawfully shot cow moose.
Schaafsma pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting a moose without a licence and was fined $2,000 and suspended from hunting in Ontario for two years. He was also fined $1,500 for discharging a firearm from a vessel and $500 for possessing unlawfully killed wildlife.
Robert Ogorek of Southwold and Donald Rowe of St. Thomas both pleaded guilty to being in possession of illegally killed wildlife and were each fined $400.
Conservation officers continue to patrol and protect our natural resources during the current COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits, we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy. Visit Ontario’s website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.
To report a natural resource violation or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.
