Hundreds of moose-related charges laid

Hundreds of charges have been laid almost two months into the Moose Watch anti-poaching campaign.
Details of the campaign are inlcluded in the attached news release issued by the Ontario Natural Resources Ministry Friday, Nov. 22 at 2:45 p.m:

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MOOSE WATCH CAMPAIGN TARGETS POACHERS

TORONTO
After nearly eight weeks in operation, the Moose Watch anti-poaching enforcement campaign has resulted in 614 charges and 122 calls from the public.

As of November 15, 2003:
·A total of 312 tips have been received from the public

*11 unlawfully hunted moose and one caribou have been seized;

·70 moose have been discovered shot and abandoned;

·953 charges related to illegal moose hunting have been laid or are pending;

·231 investigations are under way in areas where moose hunting is permitted.

“The number of moose seized or abandoned provincially up to November 15 is lower than the same period of time last year,” said Moose Watch Enforcement Co-ordinator Charlie Todesco. “We have been very pleased with the public response to Moose Watch again this year, and encourage hunters and the public to continue to report illegal activities”.

In northeastern Ontario, the moose hunt closed on November 15, 2003, and Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Conservation Officers seized 46 illegally killed moose and found 33 abandoned moose. The number of illegally killed moose in this area was down from the same period in 2002. During the five-day moose season in portions of southern Ontario which closed on October 25, 2003, Conservation Officers seized 28 illegally killed moose and found seven abandoned moose. The number of illegally killed moose in this area was up from the same period in 2002. The moose hunt continues until December 15, 2003 throughout northwestern Ontario.

Moose Watch encourages hunters and the public to report moose poaching by calling a special toll-free number, 1-866-34MOOSE (346-6673), as soon as possible, so Conservation Officers can start investigating. It operates 24 hours a day, through December 15, 2003. All calls to the violation reporting line will be passed on to Conservation Officers.

Suspected illegal activities can also be reported anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

A key component of Moose Watch is the use of violation reporting cards. Hunters are asked to use these small cards to note details of any incident, including location, names, vehicle descriptions, and any other information that would be helpful in tracking down poachers.

The Moose Watch program also includes directed patrols by Conservation Officers, including assistance from aerial services, canine programs and partner police agencies.