A Lindsay man has been fined a total of $5,000 for illegal hunting-related offences.
Martin Ham pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 each for unlawfully using an illegal firearm during the deer season and providing false information to a conservation officer. He was also fined a further $3,000 for allowing flesh suitable for food to spoil. He has been suspended from hunting in the province of Ontario for two years.
Court heard that on December 6, 2009, Ham unlawfully shot and killed a trophy buck with a 20-gauge shotgun during the open, muzzle-loader season for deer. He then entered the buck into a Big Buck contest and won.
Following up on a complaint made to the MNR Tips line, a conservation officer interviewed Ham about the acquisition of the buck. After numerous false statements, Ham admitted that the deer had been shot illegally. Though he removed the head of the deer and had it professionally mounted, the carcass was unlawfully permitted to spoil.
Justice of the Peace John Oates heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, City of Kawartha Lakes, on June 25, 2010.
For further information on hunting regulations, please consult the 2010-2011 Hunting Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, from licence issuers and at ontario.ca/hunting.
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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