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After a lengthy investigation, Ontario Conservation Officers recently succeeded in winning a case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola where a man from Simcoe, Ont., was convicted for unlawful hunting and also for abandoning a moose carcass.
His fines totalled more than $15,000.
A news release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said it shows the Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters don’t hunt without a licence.
"Aaron Elyk of Simcoe pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting big game without a licence and was fined $3,755. He also pleaded guilty to abandoning big game and was fined $11,255. In addition, his hunting licences have been cancelled and he is prohibited from hunting in Ontario for two years," said the news release.
Justice of the Peace Lori-Ann Toulouse heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Espanola, on December 1, 2022.
The court was told that on Oct. 26, 2020, Elyk shot and killed a cow moose near Lac aux Sables. He did not have a valid licence to hunt a cow moose. Elyk then abandoned the moose, leaving it to spoil. Conservation officers were notified of the wildlife crime and started a lengthy investigation that involved taking statements, using a canine detection dog, a forensic ballistics examination and a search warrant, said the MNRF release.
The ministry is urging hunters and other members of the public to report incidents when animals are illegally killed and abandoned.
To report a problem 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.
