FINED $1,000 FOR CARELESS HUNTING

[Some Old Guy 968]

GERALDTON - A Longlac hunter, whose wayward bullets hit a truck, has been fined $1,000 and banned from hunting for a year for careless hunting.

Normand Gignac, 46, pleaded guilty under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to illegally discharging a firearm without due care and attention to people. He must pass a hunter education course before he can hunt again.

The court was told that on October 9, 2006, Gignac was hunting along the Blueberry Road north of Longlac. As he fired at a grouse that was in the middle of the road his bullets hit an oncoming truck. No one in the truck was hurt and the truck had only minimal damage.

Ministry of Natural Resources Nipigon District conservation officers and Greenstone OPP investigated the incident.

Justice of the Peace Marcel Donio heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Geraldton, on March 13, 2007.

The ministry reminds the public that regulations that prohibit hunters from discharging a firearm on or across a roadway are in place to protect hunters as well as the public.

To report a natural resource 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 at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).