Illegally hunting moose on the Mattagami River has led to $27,300 in fines for three people.
Each of the people pleaded guilty to charges in relation to two hunting incidents in October 2023. The case was heard remotely on March 5 by Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier.
The court heard that on Oct. 14, 2023, Robert Lepage of Kapuskasing, Steven Lambert of Val Rita and Angele Tremblay of Val Rita were moose hunting on the Mattagami River.
"Lepage shot and killed a calf moose from the motorboat. He did not invalidate his calf moose tag, which is required by law to be done at the time and location that the animal was killed. Lambert and Tremblay actively participated in the hunt with Lepage and did not possess valid moose licences. The three transported the calf moose to Tremblay’s residence where it was processed," said the Ministry of Natural Resources in a news release.
A week later, on Oct. 21, the trio were moose hunting on the river again when Lepage and Lambert shot and killed another calf moose from the boat while Tremblay steered.
"Lepage did not invalidate his calf moose tag and did not possess it on his person. Lepage, Lambert and Tremblay did not possess their hunting licences on their person, and Lambert and Tremblay continued to hunt moose without valid licences. The three individuals were contacted by Cochrane conservation officers on the Mattagami River while transporting the illegally killed calf moose. Both moose calves were seized as part of the investigation," said the MNRF.
Lepage pleaded guilty to unlawfully firing a gun from a boat, possessing wildlife that was unlawfully killed, failing to immediately invalidate his moose tag, and hunting moose without a licence. In addition, he was convicted of not having enough lifejackets on his pontoon boat. He was fined $15,600 and is banned from possessing, applying for or getting a hunting licence for all game species for one year, and is banned from hunting moose for an additional seven years.
Lambert pleaded guilty to unlawfully firing a gun from a boat, possessing wildlife that was unlawfully killed, hunting moose without a licence and failing to carry required documentation while hunting. He was fined $9,700 and is banned from possessing, applying for or getting a hunting licence for all game species for one year, and is banned from hunting moose for an additional seven years.
Tremblay pleaded guilty to possessing wildlife that was unlawfully killed, hunting moose without a licence and unlawfully discharging a firearm from a motorboat. She was fined $2,000 and is banned from possessing, applying for or getting a hunting licence for all game species for two years, and is banned from hunting moose for an additional seven years.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information on unsolved cases, call 1-877-847-7667. Information on unsolved cases is available online here.
