Justice and Public Safety
June 3, 2015

Illegal Big Game Hunting Licence Application Leads to Convictions

A recent investigation by Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers into the validity of a hunting licence has led to convictions for two men.

On June 10, 2014, officers received a complaint from a confidential source alleging that an individual had applied for big game hunting licences over a number of years while he was a resident of another province. Further investigation revealed that a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador had been a co-applicant on the majority of those applications.

Officers with the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Division, with the cooperation of officers with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, conducted interviews with both individuals and ultimately, a number of charges were laid under the Wildlife Act.

As a result of those charges, at Provincial Court in Clarenville on November 27, 2014, Patrick Keough of Plate Cove West was convicted for hunting big game without a valid licence and for applying for a big game licence with a non-resident. He was fined $1,250 and prohibited from holding a big game hunting licence for five years.

At Provincial Court in Clarenville on May 5, 2015, Calvin Russell of Keswick, Ontario was convicted for participating in the big game licence draw while being a non-resident. Mr. Russell was fined $250 and prohibited from holding a big game hunting licence for one year.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to protecting the province's resources and to ensuring that they remain available for those who respect legislation concerning the proper management and conservation of fish and game. The public can play a significant role in assisting officers in protecting the province's natural resources by reporting any suspicious activity. This can be done anonymously and toll-free at any time of the day, by calling 1-877-820-0999, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous online reports can also be submitted at www.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com. .

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Media contact:

Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

2015 06 03                                                                   1:25 p.m.