MNR News USA Hunters
Four U.S. men have been fined a total of $1,000 for having bear claws without registering them.
Michael Morley of West Salem, Wisconsin, Thomas W. Borger of Lewiston, Minnesota, Charles Paul Toulouse of Winona, Minnesota, and Mark Wayne Edwards of Minnesota City, Minnesota, pleaded guilty and were each fined $250 for unlawfully possessing black bear claws they did not register.
Court heard that on June 6, 2014, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officers responded to a report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources of a black bear that had been shot and then had its paws removed. Officers located the bear on the Canadian side of Loon Lake, about 120 kilometres southwest of Lac La Croix, along the Ontario-Minnesota border. Officers contacted Morley, Borger, Toulouse and Edwards, who were staying at nearby Loon Falls Resort. The men said they went to see the bear after the resort owner told them he had shot it in defence of his property and left it onshore. The men initially denied possessing the claws, before admitting they did possess them. Officers seized the claws after finding them hidden throughout the cabin. The claws were forfeited to the Crown.
Justice of the Peace Marcel Donio heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Atikokan, on January 29, 2015.
Ontario News
Two hunters belonging to Limerick Lake Hunt and Fish Club Camp #11 have been fined a total of $1,100 for bear hunting offences.
Eric Kane of Cobourg pleaded guilty to shooting a black bear without a licence and was fined $750. Richard Wood of Stirling pleaded guilty to possessing wildlife illegally killed and was fined $350.
Court heard that a conservation officer conducted an investigation into an illegally shot black bear in Limerick Township, Hastings County. The investigation revealed that while out party hunting during the 2013 gun season for deer, Kane shot a black bear without a licence. Wood, the only licensed black bear hunter in the party, tagged the bear for Kane with his bear seal.
Justice of the Peace Ernie Parsons heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Belleville, on February 10, 2015.
For further information on hunting regulations, please consult the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/hunting.
