Elliot Lake man fined for covering up illegal moose shooting

MNR News Release

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An Elliot Lake man who helped cover up the illegal shooting of a bull moose has received large fines and been placed on probation.

Martial Daigle pleaded guilty to transporting an illegally shot bull moose and obstructing a conservation officer. He was fined $1,500 and received a two-year probation order to not commit further hunting-related offences.

The court heard that in late October 2009, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers spoke with Daigle regarding his involvement with the illegal shooting of a bull moose. Daigle attempted to obstruct the investigation by providing false and misleading statements. DNA analysis confirmed that moose hair found in Daigle's truck came from the illegal moose, and that the moose was from the Elliot Lake area between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury. A bull moose tag that could only be used in a Wildlife Management Unit in northwestern Ontario had been attached to the moose to make it appear it was legally shot.

The fines for this one illegally shot moose now total $6,000. Three Elliot Lake men have already pleaded guilty to offenses related to the shooting of the same moose; they were fined a total of $4,500. Charges against two others are still pending before the courts.

Justice of the Peace Diane Lafleur heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on May 18, 2011.

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

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