$15,500 in fines for illegally exporting moose

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************** SAULT STE. MARIE - (September 17) - Two Indiana men have been fined $15,500 for illegally exporting two moose into the United States.

Ronald Mellott, 57, of Kendallville, and Danial Morningstar, 32, of Rome City, were each fined $6,000 for illegally exporting two bull moose shot in Ontario.

Both men had their hunting rifles forfeited to the Crown.

Mellott was fined an additional $2,750 for illegally killing a cow moose in Ontario and obstructing a conservation officer.

Morningstar was fined an additional $750 for giving a false statement on an Ontario export permit regarding one of the bull moose.

In October 2005, Mellott and Morningstar were checked at the Sault Ste. Marie border by conservation officers and officers of the Canada Border Services Agency during a joint forces export check.

The two men were in possession of a bull moose and exported it into the United States.

The following investigation, involving the ministry’s canine unit, found evidence that the bull moose had been illegally killed.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) were contacted to provide assistance.

The USFWS found that three moose had been illegally killed in Ontario over three years and that several violations had been committed under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the United States Lacey Act.

Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on September 6, 2007.

The public is reminded that it is illegal to export fish and wildlife into the United States.

Ontario conservation officers often work with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to solve crimes.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours.

You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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