A two-week hunting blitz across Northeastern Ontario might produce moose-related charges and convictions for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. That’s because as a result of the routine blitz, the MNRF has come across information alleging illegal moose harvesting activity. Conservation Officers have also learned that some hunters abandoned their moose kills allowing the meat to spoil. The ministry says it’s launched several investigations into these illegal activities and adds the investigations are ongoing.
As for the blitz itself, it produced 98 charges and 143 warnings. Among the charges were discharging a firearm across a roadway and hunting without a license. Charges of illegal hunting, having a loaded firearm in a vehicle and hunting big game without a license were also laid. Several hunters were also caught not wearing hunter orange. One of the goals of the blitz was to ensure hunters were distinguishing between moose calves and adult moose. Some of the charges involved the illegal hunt of bull moose cows without the proper validation tag.
In all, more than 3,100 people were stopped by Conservation Officers during the fall blitz. It took place from October 21st to November 3rd. The MNRF encourages people who see ministry-related violations to call its tip line at 1-877-847-7667.
