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Hearst man fined $5,500 after illegal moose hunt

In total, the hunting party received $23K in fines and eight years of hunting suspensions
TimminsToday Staff
MNRF (4)
File photo/Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY
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The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) wants to remind hunters that abandoning hunted wildlife suitable for human consumption is illegal. Individuals should contact a conservation officer if the wrong animal is hunted.

Keith MacCrae of Hearst has been fined a total of $5,500 and has been handed a one-year hunting suspension after pleading guilty to possessing wildlife unlawfully killed and permitting flesh to become unsuitable for human consumption. Other members of the hunting party were found guilty in a previous court appearance. In total, the hunting party has received $23,000 in fines and eight years in hunting suspensions.

Court heard that on Dec. 7, 2018, MacCrae was hunting as a member of a party when a bull moose was hunted without a proper game seal. His hunting party only possessed a cow moose game seal. After realizing the wrong animal had been hunted, members of the hunting party transported the moose away from the kill site. The next day a snowmobile was used to transport the moose to a remote location to avoid detection by conservation officers.

The remains of the bull moose were discovered by conservation officers through information received from the public and the use of a MNRF canine team. Once the bull moose remains were located, a lengthy investigation was conducted by conservation officers from the Hearst Enforcement Unit with assistance from the Timmins Enforcement Unit.

Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier heard the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice on Feb. 23, 2021.

MNRF conservation officers continue to patrol and protect our natural resources during the current COVID-19 pandemic and would like to remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy. Visit Ontario's website to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

To report a natural resource violation or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.

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