RED LAKE – CRIME NEWS – A Vermilion Bay man has been fined $1,200 for illegally trapping marten.
Gary Beardsley pleaded guilty to trapping a marten during closed season and using illegal traps. He was fined $600 for each charge.
The court heard that on March 5, 2014, a Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officer contacted Beardsley after inspecting his four marten traps in the Taber Creek area, east of Ear Falls. Beardsley had captured one marten, and all four traps were illegal because they did not comply with Ontario standards.
Justice of the Peace Roger C. McGraw Jr. heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Red Lake, on June 25, 2014.
Marten may only be trapped from October 25 to the end of February. The Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards directs the testing and certification of trapping systems used in Ontario.
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).
