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Offences during northwestern Ont. deer hunt net men $9,500 in fines

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Two hunters from northwestern Ontario have been fined a total of $9,500 in connection with a deer hunt in November 2022.

Two hunters from northwestern Ontario have been fined a total of $9,500 in connection with a deer hunt in November 2022. (File photo/CTV News)

John Paul Gagne of Red Lake was found guilty at trial in absentia for failing to immediately invalidate his deer tag, for unlawful possession of wildlife and for making a false statement to a conservation officer.

In a news release Friday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said Gagne was fined a total of $8,000 and is prohibited from possessing a hunting licence in Ontario for five years.

“His rifle has been permanently forfeited to the Crown,” the release said.

Bryan Turpin of Dryden pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a conservation officer and was fined $1,500.

The court heard that on Nov. 12, 2022, conservation officers were conducting a patrol in the Eton-Rugby Road area west of Dryden and contacted Gagne and Turpin, who were returning from deer hunting that evening.

“The inspection and subsequent investigation determined that Gagne had shot and killed a deer and did not invalidate his tag,” the release said.

“Both Gagne and Turpin made false and misleading statements throughout the investigation.”

Justice of the Peace Tobey Meyer heard Turpin’s case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Dryden on Oct. 31, 2023.

Justice of the Peace Shiree Scribner heard Gagne’s case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Sioux Lookout on Feb. 29 of this year.

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.

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