Men fined $4,500 in moose tag swap

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

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Four moose hunters have been fined a total of $4,500 for moose hunting violations.

James Stoneman of St. Joseph Island pleaded guilty to failing to properly attach a game seal to a moose, unlawfully transporting wildlife and unlawfully making a false statement to a conservation officer.

He was fined a total of $2,000 and received a one-year hunting suspension.

The moose was forfeited to the Crown.

Frederick Fraser of Rosseau pleaded guilty to unlawfully transporting wildlife and was fined $500.

Arthur Fraser of Rosseau pleaded guilty to the unlawful transfer of a licence and a game seal and received a $500 fine.

In an earlier court date, Robert Stoneman of Sault Ste. Marie pleaded guilty to unlawfully enabling someone to use his licence and game seal, and unlawfully making a false statement to a conservation officer.

He was fined $1,500.

The court heard that on October 6, 2013, Robert Stoneman had to leave the hunt camp to return to work.

Robert Stoneman purposely left his moose hunting licence and his bull tag behind with James Stoneman.

On October 9, a bull moose was harvested by the hunting party and Robert Stoneman’s tag was used to seal the animal.

One of the members of the hunting party also had a valid bull tag but failed to use his tag on the moose.

The moose was transported to town to be processed.

Justice of the Peace Philip Stanghetta heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on June 12, 2014.

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

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

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