North Bay-area man fined $10K for illegal moose hunt

A man from Trout Creek, Ont., has been fined $10,000 for illegally killing a moose in November 2023. (File)

A man from Trout Creek, Ont., has been fined $10,000 for illegally killing a moose in November 2023.

Steve Ouellet is also prohibited from big game hunting in the province for a year after he pled guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay on June 27.

The Air Saber used to kill the moose illegally was also forfeited to the Crown.

After getting a tip, conservation officers began an investigation into what turned out to be an illegal hunt.

"The investigation led officers to Steve Ouellet’s property where a search warrant was executed," the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a news release Friday.

"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."

In addition, Patrick Ouellet of Cache Bay pled guilty to possessing unlawfully killed wildlife and was fined $730.

Roch Michaud of North Bay pled guilty to possessing unlawfully killed wildlife and was fined $1,500.

"Michaud later helped with the retrieval and processing of the meat," the release said.

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"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.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

For more information about unsolved cases, click here.