KENORA – Crimebeat – A Marathon woman has been fined $1,500 for deer hunting violations. Trisha Brackett pleaded guilty and was fined $1,000 for discharging a firearm from and across a road and $500 for shooting a doe without a permit.
The court heard that on October 29, 2011, a member of the public reported shots in the no-discharge area of Sioux Narrows. An investigation by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers revealed that Brackett shot twice at a doe while standing on Highway 71 in Sioux Narrows. At the angle which these shots were taken, the bullets would have passed across the Kilpatrick Road.
Brackett went after the deer and killed it with a third shot. The deer was a doe, which she was not licensed to shoot. She only had a game seal for an antlered deer. The deer was forfeited to the Crown and the rifle will be returned upon payment of fines.
In other news, four Manitoba men have been fined a total of $5,000 and are suspended from angling in Ontario for one year after pleading guilty to fishing violations on Shoal Lake, which has a protected walleye population.
Rheal Vermette and Garry Chaput of St. Jean Baptiste, Donald Hildebrandt of Morris, and Nikolas Tessier of St. Pierre Jolys were fined $500 each for angling for walleye during a closed time. Vermette and Chaput were fined an additional $1,000 each for keeping two walleye; Hildebrandt was fined an additional $500 for keeping one walleye. Tessier was also fined $500 for abandoning a trophy-size pike and allowing its flesh to waste. The boat and fishing equipment seized from the men will be returned upon payment of fines.
The court heard that on August 13, 2011, conservation officers checked the four men angling on Shoal Lake. Further investigation revealed that during August 12 and 13, Vermette organized a small fishing derby for the men that included a prize for the biggest walleye. Due to a sensitive fish population, the lake is closed to walleye fishing year-round.
The ministry of natural resources remind the public that species-specific closures are in place to protect the fishery and it is an offence to angle for those species of fish during the closure. This includes targeting those species for catch and release.
Justice of the Peace Robert McNally heard the cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Kenora, on December 20, 2011.
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).