American Tourist Outfitter Tagged For $5,000 For Moose Hunting Scam
Photo courtesy OntarioNewsNorth.com
An American tourist outfitter has been convicted of illegally selling tourist outfitter moose tags during the fall of 2008 and 2009.
William R. Hedlund of Batchewana Bay Wilderness Camps and Air Service – an operation north of Sault Ste. Marie – was fined $5,000 on two counts for being party to the offence of unlawfully hunting a game mammal.
Court heard that in 2008, Hedlund met with non-resident moose hunters at a restaurant in the United States and subsequently sold them adult and calf moose validation tags. Hedlund placed a value of up to $5,000 on the validation tags. The hunters then travelled to Ontario and hunted moose illegally, by not being accommodated with the outfitter.
Upon learning of the offence, an investigation was initiated by Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers. Hedlund was contacted, advised of the investigation, and was provided information to ensure future lawful moose tag allocations. However, Hedlund again provided an illegal Ontario moose hunt in 2009 to a non-resident hunter.
Justice of the Peace Paula Nichols heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie on July 7, 2011.
Adult moose validation tags are allocated to tourist operators by the Ontario Moose-Bear Allocation Advisory Committee on behalf of the Ministry of Natural Resources. They are designed to help outfitters attract guests who are not able to enter the moose tag draw. Outfitters can only supply tags to their registered guests who are accommodated with them at the time of the hunt. An additional fee cannot be added to the tags.
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).
