MNR levies fines for illegal fishing and hunting

News Release
MNR

A Minnesota angler has been fined $3,025 for possessing more than his limit of walleye.
James Merton Neilson, of Andover, Minnesota, was convicted of possessing 11 walleye over his legal possession limit of four and fined $275 for each over-limit fish.
Court heard that on September 6, 2009, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers contacted Neilson at the dock of a remote resort during a marine fisheries patrol on Lake of the Woods, north of the Canada-U.S. border. Although Neilson was found to have his limit of walleye in his boat, officers later determined that he also had more walleye stored in his cabin and the resort’s freezer.
Justice of the Peace Robert McNally heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora, on November 5, 2009.
The ministry reminds the public that it is illegal to stockpile large quantities of fish. An individual may not have more fish than the possession limit of that species. Possession is considered to include storing fish at home, at other locations, in freezers, holding them in live wells or even having eaten them as part of a day’s meal.
For further information on fishing regulations, please consult the 2008-2009 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary, available at ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres, from licence issuers and at ontario.ca/fishing.
A Dryden man is going to jail for charges related to illegal deer hunting.
Jordan D.L. Lang was convicted under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act for unlawfully hunting white-tailed deer without a licence and unlawfully possessing and transporting illegally killed wildlife. He was also found guilty of providing false statements to a Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officer.
Court heard that on November 15, 2008, Lang brought to his home in the city, a white-tailed buck deer that he had shot and killed in an area west of Dryden. When Dryden Police Services discovered the untagged deer while executing an unrelated search warrant of his home, conservation officers were called to investigate the deer, with the assistance of the police. Lang provided multiple, conflicting statements regarding his part in killing the deer and several of his statements were proven false.
The court sentenced Lang to 30 days incarceration and did not fine him, due to his history of failing to pay monetary fines for provincial convictions. As Lang did not have a hunting or firearms licence, they could not be ordered forfeited to the Crown. He was already prohibited from possessing a firearm from a previous conviction.
Justice of the Peace Raymond Zuliani heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Dryden, on October 20, 2009.
To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).