Abandoned moose leads to fines and licence suspension

MNR Media Release

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Temiskaming Shores – A Sudbury man has been fined $2,500 and has lost his moose hunting privileges for a year.

Jean Paul Martel, 48, pleaded guilty to illegally hunting a bull moose and then allowing it to spoil.
Court was told that on November 5, 2005, Martel was moose hunting on the Roosevelt Forest Access Road north of Temagami. His party had a valid cow moose licence, and he shot at and wounded what he believed was a cow moose. Shortly thereafter, he shot and killed a moose he thought was the same animal. However, he subsequently discovered that in fact he had shot at two different moose and that the first one was actually a small bull. No one in the party had a valid bull moose licence.

Despite a suggestion from a party member that they call conservation officers to report the mistake, Martel made the decision to abandon the moose, which then spoiled. Officers investigated, and in October 2006, members of Martel’s party gave statements describing what had happened.

Justice of the Peace William Brownell heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Haileybury, on May 3, 2007.
Hunters are urged to contact conservation officers in such situations and officers will take this cooperation into account. Penalties will be more severe if the animal is not reported and is allowed to spoil.

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

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