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Expensive moose hunt

Two out-of-towners have been convicted and fined for wrongdoing during a Northern Ontario hunting trip.
Two out-of-towners have been convicted and fined for wrongdoing during a Northern Ontario hunting trip.
Details are included in the following news released issued today by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources:
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$3,000 IN FINES FOR HUNTING AND FIRE VIOLATIONS

NORTH BAY
Two hunters have been fined for illegally killing a moose and then swapping guns.

John L. Stringer, 64, of Lake St. Peter, near Bancroft, pleaded guilty to hunting without a licence and making a false statement. He was fined $2,000. Anna Presseault, 51, of Cobalt, was convicted of making a false statement. She was fined $500.

Court heard that on Oct. 11, 2003, Stringer shot a bull moose near Cobalt without a valid bull moose tag.

Presseault claimed she shot the animal under her aboriginal hunting rights.

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) North Bay Conservation Officers, helped by the MNR Timmins canine unit, were able to prove that Presseault and Stringer lied.

As a result, both hunters confessed to switching weapons.

In another case, Dean Nichol, 43, of Kenabeek, pleaded guilty to failing to put out a fire and was fined $500.

He started two brush pile fires on his bush property in Beauchamp Township on May 19, 2003.

Nichol left the blazes unattended and MNR fire crews spent two days putting them out. The forest fire hazard index was high at the time and four fires had erupted in the area.

Permits are required for brush pile burning and whoever lights the fire is responsible for watching it and putting it out.

Justice of the Peace Ben Sinai heard the cases in Haileybury Provincial Court on Jan. 15, 2004.

The public is encouraged to help protect its natural resources by reporting violations to the local MNR office or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).