KENORA — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has released details of a major investigation into illegal moose hunting in Northwestern Ontario.
Eleven individuals and one corporation have received fines totalling $56,500.
In addition, justices of the peace imposed various hunting licence suspensions totalling 27 years.
Court was told that between October 2020 and October 2021, conservation officers investigated moose-hunting practices in the Eagle, Chase and Snowshoe Lake area north of Kenora.
This is a remote region accessible to hunters only by air.
The MNRF said it initiated a special investigation using information obtained from the public, as well as from previous investigations.
Charges included careless hunting, using a boat to pursue wildlife, having a loaded firearm in a boat, and discharging a firearm from a motorboat.
Four residents of Kenora, five residents of Minnesota, and two people from other parts of Ontario all pleaded guilty.
The largest fine was levied against a numbered Ontario company – $10,000 for hunting a bull moose without a licence.
