An Ontario hunter has been fined more than $15,000 for unlawfuly hunting a moose without a licence and abandoning the dead animal.
Aaron Elyk of Simcoe was fined $11,255 for abandoning big game and fined $3,755 for hunting without a licence.
His hunting licences have been cancelled and he is prohibited from hunting in Ontario for two years.
The court heard that Elyk shot and killed a cow moose without a valid licence to hunt, then abandoned the moose, causing it to spoil.
The court heard that on October 26, 2020, Elyk shot and killed a cow near Sables Lake.
He did not have a valid licence to hunt a cow moose.
Elyk then abandoned the moose, causing it to spoil.
Conservation officers were notified of the wildlife crime and started a lengthy investigation which involved taking statements, using a canine detection dog, a forensic ballistics examination and a search warrant.
Justice of the Peace Lori-Ann Toulouse heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Espanola on December 1, 2022.
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/https://www.ontario.ca/page/solve-natural-resource-casemnrftips.
