The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters hunt during the open season, have proper licences and tags and use the correct methods of harvest.
Steve Ouellet of Trout Creek, pleaded guilty to hunting moose without a licence and possessing unlawfully killed wildlife. He was fined $10,000 and is prohibited from hunting big game in Ontario for one year. The Air Saber used to illegally kill the moose was forfeited to the Crown.
Patrick Ouellet of Cache Bay, pleaded guilty to possessing unlawfully killed wildlife and was fined $730.
Roch Michaud of North Bay, pleaded guilty to possessing unlawfully killed wildlife and was fined $1,500.
The court heard that conservation officers received information that Steve Ouellet had illegally killed a moose in November 2023. The investigation led officers to Steve Ouellet’s property where a search warrant was executed. Along with locating the exact location of the kill site and seizing the weapon used to kill the moose, officers located moose meat, blood, hair and the remains of the butchered moose. Michaud later helped with the retrieval and processing of the meat. Patrick Ouellet assisted with processing and also possessed some of the meat.
During the investigation, conservation officers used the specialized services of both the ministry’s canine unit and a remotely piloted aircraft.
Justice of the Peace Madeleine Paul heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, North Bay, on June 27, 2024.
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.
