$11,300 In Fines For Night Hunting

[Some Old Guy 968]

Two Michigan men have been fined a total of $11,300 and are banned from hunting in Ontario for a number of hunting offences.

Jamie Doucette of Gladstone, Michigan, was convicted of careless hunting, night hunting and having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. He was fined $8,300 and had his hunting licence suspended for six years. He was ordered to retake the hunter safety course if he wants to hunt in Ontario again and his firearm was forfeited to the Crown.

Jesse Caswell of Escanaba, Michigan, was convicted of night hunting. He was fined $3,000 and had his hunting licence suspended for three years.

Court heard that on October 31, 2009, Doucette and Caswell were travelling down Cygnet Lake Road north of Kenora when a large buck ran across the road in front of them. Caswell stopped the vehicle and angled the headlights toward the buck while Doucette climbed out of the passenger-side window with his rifle. Doucette shot at the buck but missed. While attempting to put his rifle back in its case, Doucette discharged the gun and put a hole through the floor of the truck.

Justice of the Peace Robert McNally heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora, on June 8, 2010.

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

Joan Hubay, Kenora District, 807-468-2583

Jeff Milloy, Kenora District, 807-468-2554