Three northern Ontario residents have been fined a total of $4,500 for various hunting violations.

Natalie Blanchet of Cobalt pleaded guilty and was fined $500 for hunting a bull moose without a licence, and $1,000 for providing false information to conservation officers. She also received a one-year hunting suspension.

Olivier Blanchet of Cobalt and Alain Meilleur of North Bay pleaded guilty and were each fined $500 for unlawfully possessing the bull moose, and $1,000 for providing false information to conservation officers. Meilleur is also prohibited from associating with Natalie and Olivier Blanchet while hunting for two years.

Court heard that on October 7, 2013, in the Larder Lake area, Natalie Blanchet shot and killed a bull moose that she had mistaken for a calf. The moose was field dressed by her spouse, Olivier Blanchet, and left in the forest overnight. Natalie Blanchet contacted Meilleur and asked him to claim the moose under his Aboriginal status. On October 8, 2013, the Blanchet’s transported the moose by all-terrain vehicle and boat to a landing on Larder Lake where it was received by Meilleur. The moose was then butchered in New Liskeard and the meat was distributed among the individuals. During the investigation, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry conservation officers were provided with false information indicating that it was Meilleur who had killed the bull moose.

Justice of the Peace Michel Moreau heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Haileybury, on February 12, 2015.

For further information on hunting regulations, please consult the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/hunting.

To report a natural resources violation, call the MNRF TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free anytime or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours.  You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).