THUNDER BAY – Two St. Catharines men have been fined under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act for careless use of firearms while hunting.
Richard Winker pleaded guilty and was fined $3,000 for careless shooting on a maintained public road.
Morgan Patterson also pleaded guilty to the same offence and was fined $3,000.Both men received hunting licence suspensions and are required to re-take the Ontario Hunter Education Course before acquiring new hunting licences.
Court heard that on October 13, 2015, Winker exited his vehicle and shot and wounded a cow moose on Blockville Road, north of Nakina. A few hours later, the same cow moose entered Storm Road where Patterson was standing and he shot and killed the moose from the road. A conservation officer and canine unit were on patrol and investigated the shooting. The moose was seized and forfeited to the Crown.
Justice of the Peace John Guthrie heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on February 1, 2017.
The ministry reminds the public that it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a road while hunting.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 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).
