An outfitter and two United States' hunters have been fined a total of $6,750 for illegal bear hunting.
Jeffrey Beougher of Rockbridge, Ohio, was fined a total of $2,500 for unlawfully killing more than one black bear, unlawfully possessing illegally killed wildlife, and making a false statement to a conservation officer.
Jason Beougher of Rockbridge, Ohio, was fined a total of $2,750 for failing to immediately attach his black bear game seal, abandoning flesh suitable for food, attaching his game seal to a bear killed by another person, possessing an invalid export permit, and making a false statement to a conservation officer.
The outfitter, Nicholas Doyle of Rock's Hunt Camp in Hornepayne, was convicted and fined $1,500 on an earlier court date in Hornepayne for transporting and possessing wildlife that was illegally killed.
The court heard that on September 30, 2010, Jason Beougher shot and killed a black bear in the Hornepayne area but failed to immediately attach his game seal to the animal. He then abandoned the animal which subsequently spoiled. On October 1, 2010, Jeffrey Beougher shot and killed two black bears in the same area, although he was only licensed to harvest one. Jason Beougher attached his black bear game seal to the second animal, even though he was not engaged in party hunting at the time. Their outfitter, Nicholas Doyle, assisted the two by transporting the illegally killed bear and possessing the carcass for the purpose of butchering the meat.
Jason Beougher then acquired an export permit for the illegally killed black bear and attempted to export the bear into the United States. On October 2, 2011, Jason and Jeffrey Beougher were stopped at the Sault Ste. Marie International Border Crossing by conservation officers who were conducting a game and fish check station as part of a joint effort with the Canada Border Services Agency. The subsequent investigation resulted in the seizure of the bears, and the firearm and all-terrain vehicle that were used in commission of the offence. The firearm and vehicle were released upon payment of the fines.
Justice of the Peace James Bubba heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on April 26, 2011.
For further information on hunting regulations, please consult the 2011-2012 Hunting Regulations Summary http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/Publication/MNR_E001275P.html, available at ServiceOntario/Government
Information Centres http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_178999.html, from licence issuers and at ontario.ca/hunting.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
