July 10, 2009
FINED FOR CARELESS HUNTING AND LYING TO CONSERVATION OFFICER
An Oshawa man has been fined $2,000 for careless hunting and lying to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.
Rodolfo Kovic, of Oshawa, was fined $1,500 for careless hunting and $500 for providing a false statement to a conservation officer. He must also complete a hunter safety course before being allowed to apply for a hunting licence again.
The court heard that on October 14, 2008, a conservation officer found that a calf moose had been killed along a major logging road, east of Ear Falls. The officer then encountered Kovic and his moose hunting party. Kovic told the conservation officer that he had shot the calf while both he and the calf were standing off the travelled part of the road. The conservation officer determined that it was not possible for the hunter to make the shot from the angle Kovic described.
One of the ministry's canine units found a shell casing away from the kill site identified by the hunter. Analysis by the Centre of Forensic Sciences showed that the casing was from Kovic's rifle. Evidence confirmed that he had shot the calf from the middle of the road in the direction of an intersection. The bullet could have travelled through the intersection if it had passed through or missed the moose.
The public is reminded that it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a road while hunting because it is unsafe and has resulted in accidents, including fatalities. Those convicted of careless hunting will lose their hunting privileges and be required to successfully complete a hunter education course before being allowed to apply for a new hunting licence.
Justice of the Peace Marj Pasloski heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Red Lake, June 10, 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 also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).