Two Temagami area men fined for illegal moose hunt

MNR News Release

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Two Temagami area men have each been fined $1,950 for their involvement in an illegal moose hunt.

Leo Paul and Alex Mathias were each convicted of possession of an illegally killed moose, transport of an illegally killed moose and obstructing a conservation officer.

They were each fined $650 for each count.

Court heard that an undercover investigation by conservation officers in October 2009 revealed that after another hunter shot a cow moose illegally, Paul brought the moose to a butcher shop and claimed he had hunted it.

A few days later, a member of the same non-aboriginal hunting party shot and killed a bull moose even though he only had a calf tag. Mathias brought the moose to a butcher shop and claimed he had hunted it.

Paul and Mathias argued at trial that they had an aboriginal right to hunt with non-aboriginal people and to share the results of the hunt. Justice of the Peace Michel Moreau rejected their argument, finding that aboriginal rights could not be transferred to the non-aboriginal hunters.

In addition to the fines, Paul and Mathias were given a two-year probation order prohibiting them from hunting or associating with non-aboriginal hunters.

Justice of the Peace Moreau heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, North Bay, on April 25, 2012.

Three non-aboriginal hunters previously pled guilty to various offences relating to this hunt. The three individuals received fines of between $1,000 and $4,000 each as well as hunting suspensions ranging from two years to a lifetime ban.

An Aboriginal person who is harvesting pursuant to an Aboriginal or Treaty right in their respective traditional or treaty area may hunt with a person who is hunting under the authority of an Ontario hunting licence. Any person hunting under the authority of an Ontario hunting licence must abide by the pertinent legislation.

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).

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