THUNDER BAY – Protecting our natural resources makes for a brighter future for hunters and anglers. Four Aylmer residents have been fined a total of $4,500 for charges related to illegal moose hunting.
Michael McCreadie was fined $1,000 for hunting without a licence. Paul Ward and Max Ward were fined $1,000 and $500 respectively for unlawful possession of wildlife and $750 each for providing false information to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer. James Goldrick was fined $500 for unlawful possession of wildlife. All pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court heard that on September 28, 2011, during a routine patrol on Lily Lake Road west of Thunder Bay, officers contacted the hunting party, which had a freshly harvested bull moose McCreadie had killed with archery equipment earlier that day. Paul Ward affixed his bull moose game seal, valid for use in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 12A, to the animal, although the moose was actually killed in WMU 12B.
He knowingly misled officers about his understanding of which WMU he was hunting in. Both Paul Ward and Max Ward provided false information to officers by telling them that the game seal was wrong because a ministry employee had incorrectly filled out their application form. Goldrick helped the three men field dress and quarter the moose.
Justice of the Peace Joseph A.B. Caron heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on March 7, 2012.
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).