FORT FRANCES – An Ontario man has been fined a total of $2,500 for a variety of offences, including obstruction of a conservation officer.
Daniel Rea of Devlin was fined $1,500 for obstructing a conservation officer, $500 for having loaded firearm on a vehicle and $500 for driving a snowmobile without insurance. His gun was forfeited to the Crown and will be returned once fines are paid.
The court heard that on December 12, 2009, conservation officers were patrolling Fleming Road in the Rainy River District. Rea approached on snowmobile, and the officers noted that he had a rifle slung over his shoulder. Rea stopped and was asked to show his gun and hunting licence. He said the gun was loaded. Rea unloaded the gun but refused to turn it over to the conservation officer and was subsequently arrested. Further investigation revealed that the snowmobile Rea was riding was not insured.
Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Fort Frances, on August 13, 2010.
The ministry reminds hunters that it is illegal to possess a loaded firearm in a vehicle or vessel, including an aircraft, a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle or a motorboat.
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.