FORT FRANCES – A Colorado man has been fined $2,500 for shooting a black bear without a valid licence. Levi Larsen of Denver, Colorado, was fined $1,000 for unlawfully hunting a black bear, $1,000 for possessing a void licence and $500 for exporting the bear out of Ontario without a permit. He is banned from hunting in Ontario for one year, and the bear was forfeited to the Crown.
Court heard that in August 2009, Larsen tried to purchase a non-resident bear hunting licence from a licence issuer in Fort Frances district. The issuer denied his request and referred him to the Ministry of Natural Resources office in Fort Frances. Ministry staff informed Larsen that he did not have the proper hunting accreditation from his home state and therefore could not purchase the licence.
An investigation by conservation officers revealed that Larsen persisted and purchased a non-resident bear hunting licence in another location in spite of being informed by the ministry that he could not buy one. He shot a black bear and exported it to the United States. With assistance from conservation officers in Colorado, the bear was seized and enough information was gathered to secure a conviction in court.
Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale Cornell heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Fort Frances, on December 10, 2010.
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).