Conservation Officers Seek Public Help After Moose Dumped in Ontario

Conservation officers in northern Ontario are appealing to the public for assistance following the discovery of a moose that had been shot, butchered, and abandoned. The incident, which took place near Sault Ste. Marie, marks the second occurrence of illegal hunting and waste disposal in the region within a short span. On September 29, 2023, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) found an adult moose killed and discarded in Gaudette Township. This follows a similar case reported near Timmins just a day later.

Details of the Incident

According to the MNR, the skinned and quartered moose was located on the north side of Leonard Lake Road, concealed in tall grass. Conservation officer Marty Ellis explained that tire tracks leading to the site indicated a full-size pickup truck was used in the dumping. “We discovered that tire tracks were coming from the Leonard Lake Road. They stopped, backed into the grass along the bush line, and dumped the quartered moose out of the back of their truck,” said Ellis.

The condition of the moose suggested that it was prepared for processing. Ellis noted, “This moose had been shot, hung, and quartered. It was ready to go to the butcher shop, and for whatever reason, this individual or individuals decided to dump it into the bush for it to rot.”

Consequences of Illegal Hunting

The illegal killing and waste of game animals poses serious consequences beyond the immediate act. Ellis stated that such behavior threatens the existing moose population, which could impact legal hunting practices across the province. “What this is doing is taking breeding animals out of the healthy moose population we have, potentially reducing the number of tags we can issue to legal, upstanding hunters in Ontario moving forward,” he explained.

Individuals responsible for this act could face fines of up to $10,000 and may be banned from hunting in Ontario. The MNR is actively seeking information to further their investigation. They encourage anyone who was in the Gaudette area in late September and may have witnessed the moose being killed or dumped to come forward.

Additionally, the ministry is particularly interested in dash-cam footage from that time, as well as any relevant images from trail cameras in the vicinity. Ellis stated, “We’re looking for somebody driving a full-size pickup truck in that area of Searchmont and north of Searchmont on the 28th and 29th.”

The MNR urges the public to report any natural resource problems or provide information related to this or other unsolved cases by calling their TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 or by contacting local ministry offices or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

The ongoing investigations highlight the vital role of community vigilance in protecting wildlife and ensuring responsible hunting practices in Ontario.