Late removal of wolf/coyote traps costs northern Ont. man $2,850 in fines

A trapper from Nobel, Ont., has been fined after conservation officers discovered he had forgotten to remove wire snares set up to trap coyotes and wolves.

The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice Oct. 3. Mark Crocker left 14 of the snares on his registered trap line after the hunting season ended March 31. They were discovered April 2.

“A follow-up investigation determined that Crocker had forgotten about his snares and failed to remove them prior to the close of the wolf and coyote trapping season,” the release said.

“The investigation also determined that Crocker had failed to fully complete his season-end trapping report as required.”

He pled guilty to trapping during the closed season and failing to complete his season-end harvest report. Crocker was fined $2,850 and received a four-year trapping licence suspension.

In addition, he must retake the Fur Harvest, Fur Management and Conservation Course before applying for a trapping licence in the future.

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His snares that were seized as part of the investigation were forfeited to the Crown.

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, click here.