An Echo Bay man has been convicted of firearms offences after a deer was shot on a roadway on St. Joseph Island.
Richard Bowen of Echo Bay was convicted of careless use of a firearm while hunting, unlawfully discharging a firearm in a travelled roadway, knowingly making a false statement to a conservation officer, and transporting illegally killed wildlife.
Justice of the Peace Sharon Ashick heard the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice on March 21. Sentencing was delivered at the end of May in Sault Ste. Marie, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said in a news release.
The court heard that on Nov. 10, 2018, conservation officers were conducting patrols on the island about 45 minutes east of the Sault during the regular gun deer hunting season.
A hunter was found in possession of a white-tailed deer. However, officers determined the buck deer was killed on the road where the hunter had discharged his rifle within the travelled portion of the road and down the roadway.
Bowen was fined $6,500, had his hunting licence suspended for two years and must retake the Ontario hunter education course. His rifle, case and ammunition were forfeited to the Crown.
Conservation officers remind the public that they can provide information about a case by calling the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. They can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For information on unsolved cases, visit the website.