Northern Ontario hunter has license revoked. For life

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MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

****************************** Foleyet man gets lifetime hunting suspension for hunting offences

A Foleyet man has received a lifetime hunting suspension for using a firearm in an unsafe manner while hunting black bears.

Randy Gervais pleaded guilty to 13 charges under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, including two counts of using a firearm carelessly for hunting; four counts of hunting black bear without the authority of a license; four counts of obstructing a conservation officer by providing false information; one count of hunting black bear within 400 metres of a dump site; one count of trespassing for the purpose of hunting, and one count of transporting illegally killed wildlife.

All charges laid were a result of a 14-month investigation dating back to May 2009.

The court ordered the immediate cancellation and surrender of Gervais’ Ontario hunting license and that he be prohibited from possessing, applying for, and/or obtaining any Ontario hunting license for the rest of his life.

Gervais also received a lifetime ban on engaging or associating in any hunting-related activities, or possessing hunting-related sporting equipment in an area where game wildlife within Ontario.

Court heard that on four separate occasions between May 20 and July 8, 2009, Gervais shot and killed two bears and shot at another two bears in the Foleyet area.

One bear was shot in the middle of Young Street in Foleyet with a high-powered rifle.

The bullet passed through the bear in the direction of the local public school.

The second bear was shot at the Foleyet dump site, also with a high-powered rifle.

In this case, the bullet passed through the bear towards a public access road, two cemeteries, a church and an all-terrain vehicle trail that people frequently use.  

The last two bears were shot near Maple Street Lodging in Foleyet, and one of the two bears was wounded in the shooting.

Gervais obstructed conservation officers during the investigation by telling them that three of the bears were shot in protection of property.

He denied any involvement in shooting the bear at the dump.

Gervais also trespassed on posted occupied land to hunt the Foleyet dump bear and illegally transported the bear shot on Young Street.

Justice of the Peace Alex Spence heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Chapleau, on January 12, 2011.

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).

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