$11,000 FINE FOR HUNTERS WHO ILLEGALLY SHOT A MOOSE
March 25, 2009
Two local residents have been fined a total of $11,000 for shooting a bull moose when they were only licensed to hunt a calf moose.
Blair Goyea, 34, of Burks Falls, pleaded guilty to shooting the bull moose and was fined $10,000, forfeited his rifle, had his licence suspended for three years. He is also required to take a hunter safety course prior to the reinstatement of his hunting privileges. Craig Whitelock, 44, of Powassan, pleaded guilty to obstructing a conservation officer and was fined $1,000.
Court heard that on the opening day of the 2007 local moose hunt, conservation officers were informed of a possible illegally killed bull moose. During the investigation, both Goyea and Whitelock denied any involvement with the shooting of a moose. Eventually the officers were able to determine that Goyea had shot a bull moose and asked a local Métis harvester to claim the animal under his rights.
Justice of the Peace James Bubba heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Parry Sound, on March 19, 2009.
To report a natural resource
violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your
ministry office during regular business hours. You can call Crime Stoppers anonymously
at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).