$6,000 FINE FOR ABANDONED MOOSE

[Some Old Guy 968]

GERALDTON - A tip from the public, forensic analysis and thorough investigation have helped convict two Brockville men for their roles in illegal moose hunting.

Frederick Church, 63, has been $4,000 for illegally hunting a cow moose, abandoning the meat of a game animal and making a false statement to a conservation officer. He has been banned from hunting for five years.

Lorne Murdock, 51, has been fined $2,000 for abandoning the meat of a game animal and making a false statement to a conservation officer. He has been banned from hunting for one year. The Crown will return the hunters' firearms after they pay their fines.

The court was told that in early October, Church and Murdock were party hunting west of Geraldton when their group shot a bull and cow moose. On October 10, 2006, Church and Murdock were hunting together in the Wildgoose Beach Road area, where Church shot a cow moose even though neither man had a cow moose tag. They abandoned the moose instead of reporting it to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Another hunter discovered the abandoned moose the next day and alerted conservation officers. The officers collected evidence and interviewed hunters for the next two days. With the help of Kemptville District conservation officers and forensic analysis of the evidence, the officers were able to lay charges.

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

To ensure the health of the moose population, the ministry issues only a limited number of bull and cow tags in each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Hunters must follow party hunting rules so that they don't shoot more moose than are allocated for a WMU, which could have a negative impact on the sustainability of the moose population. Ethical hunters should report mistakes, so the meat can be donated to charitable organizations rather than going to waste.

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).