Hunter and Guide Fined $2,500 For Illegal Wolf Hunting Incident

[Some Old Guy 968]

An Illinois hunter and his guide have been fined a total of $2,500 for charges related to illegal wolf hunting.

John Shott, of Genoa, Illinois, was convicted under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and fined $1,500 for wolf hunting without a licence and $500 for abandoning the carcass and leaving the wolf to spoil. Melvin Martin of Lamaline, Newfoundland, was also charged and fined $500 for leaving the wolf to spoil.

Court heard that on September 24, 2009, Shott and Martin, who was employed by a Red Lake district tourist resort and acting as Shott’s guide, were moose hunting in the Long Legged Lake area when they encountered a wolf. Shott shot and killed the wolf and brought it back to their tourist resort. When the pair learned that Shott required a small game licence and wolf/coyote game seal, the pair abandoned the carcass in a remote area.

Justice of the Peace Roger C. McCraw Jr. heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Red Lake, on March 3, 2010.

Non-residents may hunt wolves and coyotes during the open season, September 15 to March 31, under the authority of a small game licence accompanied by a wolf/coyote game seal. Hunters can purchase up to two wolf/coyote game seals for a calendar year. More information is available in the 2009-2010 Hunting Regulations Summary.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477