Visiting Hunters Fined $5,950 For Illegal Hunting And Fishing Near Chapleau
Four men from the City of Greater Sudbury have been fined a total of $5,950 for several offences under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act as well as the Ontario Fishery Regulations.
David Bretzlaff pleaded guilty and was fined $1,500 for unlawfully possessing a cow moose, $1,000 for making a false statement to a conservation officer and $400 for unlawfully possessing a gill net. The net was forfeited to the Crown.
Richard Bretzlaff, Christopher McLeod and Camilio Pereira pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the same investigation in May 2011. Richard Bretzlaff was fined $500 for making a false statement to a conservation officer. Christopher McLeod was fined $300 for possessing fish so that the number could not be easily counted. Camilio Pereira was fined $1,500 for unlawfully hunting a cow moose and $750 for unlawfully transporting wildlife.
Court heard that in October 2009, all four men were part of a hunting party. On October 24, 2009, both David Bretzlaff and Pereira were stopped on the Sultan Industrial Road by conservation officers. After questioning, officers suspected thatPereirahad unlawfully hunted a cow moose in the Dog Lake area. The moose was seized and an investigation was launched.
On October 25, 2009, Richard Bretzlaff and McLeod were stopped on Hwy 667 by conservation officers. During questioning, Richard Bretzlaff claimed they knew nothing about the cow moose that was harvested by Pereira. Officers also located fish frozen in a manner that could not be easily counted.
Based on the evidence, two search warrants were executed.Sudbury and North Bay districts conservation officers, a canine unit and Sudbury Regional Police assisted. A gill net was discovered and seized by conservation officers; it was also confirmed that the moose had been illegally shot.
Justice of the Peace Theodore Hodgins heard David Bretzlaff’s case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Chapleau, on September 14, 2011. The cases against the other individuals were heard in May 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).
