Eleven individuals and one corporation were fined a total of $56,500 in addition to being issued 27 years of hunting licence suspensions.

Kevin Walsten of Kenora pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a conservation officer and was fined $3,000.

1526085 Ontario Inc. pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a licence and was fined $10,000.

Scott MacIntosh of Kenora pleaded guilty to using a boat to pursue wildlife and using a firearm carelessly to hunt. He was fined $9,500 and is required to re-take the hunter education safety course.

Russel Canfield of Kenora pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a licence, having a loaded firearm in a boat and using a boat to pursue wildlife. He was fined $9,000 and received a three-year hunting licence suspension.

Travis Young of Kenora pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a licence, discharging a firearm from a motorboat and using a boat to pursue wildlife. He was fined $9,000 and received a six-year hunting licence suspension.

Tim Jones of Burnsville, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a licence and discharging a firearm from a motorboat. He was fined $7,000 and received a 10-year hunting licence suspension.

Garry Jones Jr., Garry Jones Sr., David Flynn, and Allen Flynn of Minnesota pleaded guilty to possessing an illegally killed bull moose. They were each fined $500 and received a two-year hunting licence suspension.

Wayne Heikoop of Powassan pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat and was fined $3,500.

Thomas Shields of Smithville pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat and was fined $3,500.

Court heard that between October of 2020 and October 2021 conservation officers, assisted by the Intelligence and Investigation Services Unit, investigated illegal moose hunting in the Eagle, Chase, and Snowshoe Lakes area, which is a remote, fly-in-only area, north of Kenora. A special investigation was initiated from information received from the public, as well as from previous investigations to address the ongoing issue of illegal moose hunting with allegations of discharging a firearm from a watercraft, using an aircraft while hunting, hunting without a licence and other offences under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Various Justices of the Peace heard the cases on various dates throughout 2023 and 2024 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Kenora.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.

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On October 4, 2022, Conservation Officers were alerted to a shot and left bull moose near Matheson. The bull moose had been shot and abandoned a few days earlier and left by Shallow River Road off the Forestry Road north of Matheson.

The ministry takes this situation very seriously and is looking to identify those responsible.

If you have any information that will assist Conservation Officers in their investigation, please contact Conservation Officer Jordan Morrison at 705-221-3426. You can also call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact your local ministry office. Or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Conservation Officers remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits, we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy. To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.

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Animal intakes at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary are on the rise, and we are inviting members of the community to learn more about the Sanctuary and how to help the animals in our care.

We are dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife. Once rehabilitated, these animals are released back into the wild for a second chance. Most of these animals have come to us through no fault of their own. They may have been hit by a vehicle, separated from their mom, or even evicted as a “nuisance.” All are doing their best to co-exist with humankind.

In 2021, over 1,100 animals (crossing 103 different species) were admitted to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. This was our highest intake in our 50-year history, and we are not surprised to see an uptick year after year.

While every season is different, and we never know how many of each species will come our way, this year has brought five orphaned moose calves to our doorstep. Two of these calves are victims of a vehicle collision. All have lost their morn.

Upon arrival at the Sanctuary, the calves were triaged, provided with first aid, and a plan of care was put into play for each of them. Mayve, one of the five moose calves, was expelled from her mom who (pregnant with Mayve at the time) was hit by a vehicle crossing the road. Her mom died instantly leaving Mayve in need of urgent care. Maverick (to the right of Mayve in the attached picture) was hit by a transport truck and injured. The other three were found alone with no mom in sight.

The good news is that they are all doing well and will remain in our care for an entire year before being released. This is the length of time they would have remained with their mom in the wild before stepping out on their own.

Sadly, the moose is in serious decline in Ontario. Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is attuned to this fact and knows that every moose truly matters. Our Sanctuary is licensed to rehabilitate moose and we are the only Sanctuary actively rehabbing moose in Ontario. Our work is around the clock as we care for these calves in addition to hundreds of other animals, including bear cubs, otters, deer fawns, fox and more. Each animal requiring an individualized plan of care specific to its situation and species.

Not surprisingly, first aid, species-specific formula/food, vaccinations, and size-appropriate enclosures (indoor and outdoor) are all requirements for successful rehabilitation and cost a great deal of money. Case in point, the five moose calves in our care are anticipated to consume over 930 litres of milk, 900 cups of moose breeder pellets and 405 bushels of fresh browse (twigs / tree buds) in as little as three months. Factor in hundreds of other hungry babies that require sustenance and accommodation, and the picture paints itself.

We need your help.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 towards our wildlife rehabilitation program this year.

As a not-for-profit registered charity, we are solely dependent on the generosity and support of individuals such as yourself. Please consider a donation of $100, $250, $500, $1,000 or more. Every dollar counts and only you can determine what you are able to contribute at this time.

Donations can be made online at www.aspenvalley.ca Alternatively, you can write a cheque payable to “Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary” and mail it to:

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
Attn: Year of the Moose
1116 Crawford Street
Rosseau, ON
P0C 1J0

I am happy to answer any questions you may have, and thank you very much for your support. Together, let’s keep wildlife wild.

Regards,

Alison Withey
Director, Advancement and Communications at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

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Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary (AVWS) is asking drivers to slow down yet again. Wildlife is on the move, and people need to remind themselves that the risk of colliding with an animal is all too real.

“We get it. You’ve heard this message before, yet we’re hearing from an increasing number of people that have collided with an animal while driving,” said Jan Kingshott, Director of Animal Welfare at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. “The message isn’t sinking in the way it should, and we’re hoping it will. While some drivers have hit an animal through no fault of their own, others admit that they might have avoided the collision altogether had they been paying closer attention and driving the speed limit.”

In the span of a single week, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary has admitted three orphaned moose calves in need of assistance. Two survived a vehicle collision. In one instance, the mom (cow) was killed, and in the other instance, the calf was hit by a vehicle. Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary was contacted and the calves were admitted to their Sanctuary in Rosseau where they were immediately assessed, and an individualized plan of care specific to their situation put into play.

Located on 460 acres of natural habitat in beautiful Muskoka, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the few centres that is able to shelter and care for moose on a long-term basis. Interestingly, these calves will spend an entire year at the sanctuary where they will overwinter, and then be released next spring. Some species such as beavers are in the sanctuary’s care for two years before being released.

The spring and summer months are Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary’s busiest times of year. In 2021, over 1,100 animals were admitted to Aspen Valley and they anticipate taking in even larger numbers of animals in 2022.

“We receive hundreds of calls from many kind people who are asking for advice about wild animals that appear to be in trouble,” said Linda Glimps, Executive Director, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. “Often, we advise callers to first observe and ensure that the animals actually require assistance. With some watchful waiting, many of our callers witness mothers returning to their young after foraging for food and have avoided becoming accidental ‘kidnappers.'”

If an animal is truly orphaned or injured, however, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary asks the rescuer to bring the animal to them as quickly as possible. For people with no means of transportation, or when dealing with larger species, such as injured or orphaned deer fawns or moose calves, volunteer drivers at Aspen Valley may be able to help.

Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary receives animals that have been orphaned, hit by vehicles, trapped, starved, injured by predators, or suffer from mange (and other diseases/conditions). They also see animals that have been compromised by well-meaning individuals who tried to care for them on their own, or believed it was okay to feed wildlife – which, in fact, is an incredible disservice to wild animals.

Sadly, in spite of their best efforts, there are occasions when recovery is not possible. “It is paramount to all of us here at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary that wildlife does not suffer needlessly, and we treat each animal with the dignity and respect it rightfully deserves,” Glimps said.

Not surprisingly, first aid, species-specific formula and/or food, vaccinations, and size-appropriate enclosures (indoor and outdoor) are all requirements for successful rehabilitation and cost a great deal of money.

As a not-for-profit, Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is solely dependent on the generosity of its donors.  Visit the sanctuary’s website to discover the many ways to give (including your volunteer time) and learn how to “keep wildlife wild.”  They accept the donation of securities and bequests, and love it when friends of Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary initiate fundraisers of their own. You can also shop their Amazon Wish List.

The post Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Asks Drivers To Slow Down appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Ontario government is safeguarding the province’s moose population by ensuring hunters have licences and hunt ethically.

The post Man Found Guilty For Shooting A Calf Moose During Closed Season appeared first on Muskoka411.

The ministry believes that sometime between December 26, 2021 and January 4, 2022  a bull, cow, and calf moose were all shot and killed in the Upper Redstone Lake area of Eyre Township in Algonquin Provincial Park. The calf was removed whole, whereas the cow and bull were quartered leaving approximately 30 percent of these to spoil. It is believed those responsible had local knowledge of the area and transported the moose exiting the park travelling south on Kingscote Road.

It is important to note that open moose season within Eyre Township in Wildlife Management Unit 54 was from October 18, 2021 to October 24, 2021.

If you have any information that will assist Conservation Officers in their investigation, please call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact your local ministry office. Or to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Conservation Officers remind everyone that by respecting seasons, sanctuaries, bag and possession limits, we all help ensure our natural resources stay healthy. To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.

The post Who Is Responsible For Shooting Three Moose In Algonquin Provincial Park appeared first on Muskoka411.