Fine, loss of firearm follow fish and game check

NEWS RELEASES

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* Man fined for false statements and unlawful firearm possession

April 27, 2010 - A Sault Ste. Marie area man was fined $1,000 for making false statements to a conservation officer and unlawfully possessing a firearm at night.

Court heard that on October 8, 2007, Michel Blais was stopped by conservation officers during a fish and game check.

He said he did not have firearms in his vehicle.

Officers stopped him again later while he was trying to evade the same game check.

Blais was found to be in possession of an unencased firearm.

All firearms must be encased a half hour after sunset.

The firearm was permanently forfeited to the Crown.

Justice of the Peace James Bubba heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on April 13, 14 and 15, 2010.

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).

************************* Be bear wise this spring

April 26, 2010 - Spring is here and that means black bears are out of hibernation.

At this time of year it’s important to take simple precautions to help prevent attracting black bears to your community.

The potential for human-bear conflicts increases when there is little natural food for bears.

If this happens, black bears will search for other food sources, such as garbage and bird feed, which can attract bears to populated areas.

To minimize the chances of attracting black bears:

- Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids

- Put out garbage only on the morning of pick-up

- Put away bird feeders; seed, suet and nectar put out for birds also attract bears

- Clean outdoor grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath; bears will be drawn by smells from great distances, including grease and food residue on grills.

People who have problems with bears can call the toll-free bear reporting line anytime at 1-866-514-2327.

In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or your local police.

Learn more about what you can do to keep bears out of your neighbourhood at this website.

Quick facts

Since 2004, Ontario’s Bear Wise program has been educating people about bears, how to avoid attracting bears and how to prevent human-bear conflicts.

Bear Wise also supports local prevention programs and partnerships with police to respond to human-bear incidents.

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