A yearlong investigation into illegal moose hunting in northwestern Ontario has resulted in $56,500 in fines.
A total of 11 people and one business were charged and face 27 years’ worth of hunting license suspensions.
The investigation centered around Eagle, Chase and Snowshoe Lake and took place between October of 2020 and October of 2021.
It was initiated because of information received from the public, as well as from previous investigations to address the ongoing issue of illegal moose hunting.
Charges include discharging a firearm from a boat, using an aircraft while hunting, hunting without a license and other offenses under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Act.
Kevin Walsten of Kenora pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a conservation officer and was fined $3,000.
1526085 Ontario Inc. pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a license and was fined $10,000.
Scott MacIntosh of Kenora pleaded guilty to using a boat to pursue wildlife and using a firearm carelessly to hunt. He was fined $9,500 and is required to re-take the hunter education safety course.
Russel Canfield of Kenora pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a license, having a loaded firearm in a boat and using a boat to pursue wildlife. He was fined $9,000 and received a three-year hunting license suspension.
Travis Young of Kenora pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a license, discharging a firearm from a motorboat and using a boat to pursue wildlife. He was fined $9,000 and received a six-year hunting license suspension.
Tim Jones of Burnsville, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a license and discharging a firearm from a motorboat. He was fined $7,000 and received a 10-year hunting license suspension.
Garry Jones Jr., Garry Jones Sr., David Flynn, and Allen Flynn of Minnesota pleaded guilty to possessing an illegally killed bull moose. They were each fined $500 and received a two-year hunting license suspension.
Wayne Heikoop of Powassan pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat and was fined $3,500.
Thomas Shields of Smithville pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat and was fined $3,500.
Justices of the Peace heard the cases on various dates throughout 2023 and 2024 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Kenora.
