Shooting Blackbear in Village Proves Costly
Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com 2010
A Val Gagne area man has been fined a total of $2,500 for hunting offences
Raymond Rivest was found guilty under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of unlawfully discharging a firearm without reasonable consideration for people or property and trespassing for the purpose of hunting. In addition to being fined $2,000 and $500 respectively, he was also ordered to surrender his hunting licence and his hunting privileges have been suspended for one year. Rivest must successfully complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course before reinstatement of his hunting licensing privileges.
The court heard that on September 12, 2010, Rivest discharged a high-powered rifle at a black bear that was located on private property on which he did not have permission to hunt, and in the direction of the main road leading into the village of Val Gagne which was directly behind the black bear at the time. Additionally, at the time that Rivest shot at the black bear, he did not see the private property owner or his granddaughter, who were about to take a picture of the black bear on their property, when the shot was fired. The black bear was not hit and ran across the road into the bush.
Justice of the Peace Delores Boyuk heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, in Timmins on May 26, 2011.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry officer during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
