An Illinois hunter and his guide have been fined a total of $2,500 for charges related to illegal wolf hunting.
John Shott, of Genoa, Ill., was convicted under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and fined $1,500 for wolf hunting without a licence and $500 for abandoning the carcass and leaving the wolf to spoil.
Melvin Martin, of Lamaline, Nfld., also was charged and fined $500 for leaving the wolf to spoil.
Court heard that back on Sept. 24, Shott and Martin, who was employed by a Red Lake district tourist resort and acting as Shott’s guide, were moose hunting in the Long Legged Lake area when they encountered a wolf.
Shott shot and killed the wolf, and brought it back to their tourist resort.
When the pair learned that Shott required a small game licence and wolf/coyote game seal, the pair abandoned the carcass in a remote area.
Justice of the Peace Roger C. McCraw Jr. heard the case March 3 in Red Lake.
Non-residents may hunt wolves and coyotes during the open season (Sept. 15-March 31) under the authority of a small game licence accompanied by a wolf/coyote game seal.
Hunters can purchase up to two wolf/coyote game seals for a calendar year.
More information is available in the 2009-10 Hunting Regulations Summary.
To report a natural resources violation, call toll-free 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) any time or contact your local MNR office during regular business hours.
You also can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
