Hunter suspended for four years for shooting bald eagle

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* Hunter suspended for four years for lying about shooting a protected bird

CHAPLEAU — A Timmins man, who shot a bald eagle, has been suspended from hunting for four years.

David Castonguay, 30, was convicted of making a false statement to a conservation officer about evidence found at the scene of a bald eagle shooting.

Court was told that on October 6, 2004 Chapleau Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers responded to a report of an injured eagle.

Ministry staff sent the bird to an animal hospital but it died of complications.

X-rays showed shotgun pellets in the bird.

Investigators used forensic evidence to determine that Castonguay was lying when he denied shooting the bird.

He had been hunting small game in Foleyet Township at the time the bird was shot.

The bald eagle is protected under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Justice of the Peace Murielle Quinn heard the case in Ontario Court of Justice, Timmins, on September 20, 2007.

To report a natural resource 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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