Echo Bay hunter fined $12K for lying about moose kill

An Echo Bay hunter has been fined $12,000 after pleading guilty to an illegal moose hunt that occurred three years ago near the Batchawana River in Norberg Township.

According to a news release issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the investigation began on Nov. 3, 2021, when conservation officers located “a suspicious moose kill site.”

Court heard that two weeks earlier, on Oct. 18, Timothy Junor was part of a group hunting for moose in an old forestry cut block. They were licenced to hunt calf moose only.

“Upon entering the cut block, Junor observed two bull moose running along the hillside and fired a round from his rifle at one of the bull moose, killing it,” the release says. “Junor returned to a hunt camp on Annie Lake where an agreement was made with a member of a local Indigenous community to attend the kill site and claim the moose was shot under their Indigenous harvesting rights, thereby covering up the illegal killing of the moose.”

Junor admitted to returning to the kill site with the Indigenous person, processing the moose and transporting it back to the hunt camp at Annie Lake. 

“The following day, the Indigenous community member transported the moose to a butcher shop in Thessalon where they again claimed that they shot the bull moose under their Indigenous harvesting rights,” the release says. 

Justice of the Peace Sarah Keesmaat heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sault Ste. Marie, on June 17, 2024.

“The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters do not cover up illegal hunting activities,” the news release says.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. People can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. 

More information about unsolved cases can be found HERE.