Six Ontario men pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $8,050 for offences under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act related to the poaching and concealing of a cow moose in Hawley Township in northeastern Ontario.

Darren Hyatt, of Merlin, pleaded guilty to hunting moose without the authority of a licence and possessing illegally killed wildlife. He received a fine of $2,250 and a one-year hunting suspension.

Joseph Brosseau, of St. Charles, pleaded guilty to possessing illegally killed wildlife and obstructing a conservation officer. He received a fine of $1,800. The remaining members of the group, Christopher Wright of Merlin, Joseph W. Brosseau Jr. of Merlin, Raymond Picard of North Bay and Jeffery Bembridge of Tilbury each received a $1,000 fine for possessing illegally killed wildlife.

The court heard that on November 7, 2012, a conservation officer was on regular patrol on the Beauparlant Road in St. Charles when a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle failed to stop for inspection. Through the subsequent stop of a second all-terrain vehicle, which was part of the same hunting group, the officer determined that Darren Hyatt had shot a cow moose without the appropriate licence.

The group had gat hered at the kill site to help skin and quarter the moose, which was then placed in the back of the side-by-side utility terrain vehicle and covered with a tarp. The moose was later found hidden in the bush under sheet metal behind the group’s camp.

Justice of the Peace Norman Ross heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sudbury, on March 12, 2013.

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).