Forensics catches out-of-town bear poacher

A Brampton bear poacher was foiled by a forensic investigation. Government officers tracked the poacher down using evidence found at the site the bear was poached.
Further information is included in the following news release issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources:
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NORTH BAY
A Brampton man who shot a bear in a dumpsite has been convicted of poaching and fined $2,000.

Nicholas Collins, 28, was found guilty of shooting a black bear in a dump, trespassing for the purpose of hunting and possession of a poached bear.

Collins’ gun, the bear’s hide and meat were seized by the Crown.

Court heard that on October 15, 2002, Ontario Provincial Police officers, responding to a report of a damaged gate at the Temagami landfill site, discovered bear remains inside.

Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) conservation officers were alerted and after recovering evidence a search warrant was carried out at Collins’ Brampton home. Forensics testing subsequently tied evidence from the dump to the house.

Justice of the Peace Gilles Lecouteur heard the case in Haileybury Provincial Court on June 24, 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).