The Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to familiarize themselves with the Wildlife Act and laws governing the proper use of all-terrain vehicles (ATV) after an investigation by provincial conservation officers resulted in convictions of three New-Wes-Valley residents.

The three individuals appeared in Provincial Court in Gander last month for violations under the Wildlife Act and the Motorized Snow Vehicle and All-Terrain Vehicle Act.

One individual pleaded guilty to transporting big game without tags and operating an ATV outside an approved area. He was fined $1,500 and prohibited from holding a big game licence for five years. A second individual pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a big game animal and was fined $1,000 and prohibited from holding a big game licence for five years. A third individual pleaded guilty to transferring a big game licence to another person and was fined $200. A quantity of moose meat was also forfeited to the Crown.

A fourth resident of New-Wes-Valley will appear in court later this month on four charges under the Wildlife Act and one charge under the Motorized Snow Vehicles and All-Terrain Vehicles Act.

The department encourages the public to report any information on illegal activity harmful to the province�s natural resources to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-363-TIPS (8477).

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Media contact:
Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca

2009 04 17                                                    10:05 a.m.