Investigations recently conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Resource Enforcement Division have resulted in convictions for illegal hunting and fishing activities.

On June 10, 2021, at Provincial Court in St. John’s, Vincent Hawkins of Cape Broyle, was convicted of killing a moose of the wrong sex for the licence issued, as well as discharging a firearm within 1,000 metres of a playground. He was fined $2,000 and prohibited from applying for a big game licence for five years.

These convictions stem from an investigation initiated after information was received from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, regarding a moose being shot and killed next to a playground in September 2020.

On June 11, 2021 at Provincial Court in St. John’s, Nicholas Power of Trepassey, was convicted of illegally possessing a net near inland waters, and fined $500.  He is also prohibited from fishing inland waters for one year.

This conviction stems from an investigation initiated in November 2020, after information was received from the public regarding a netting device being used near inland waters, at a well-known spawning area for brown trout.

On July 8, 2021 at Provincial Court in St. John’s, Donald Carey of Witless Bay, was convicted of operating a snowmobile in the Avalon Wilderness Reserve without a permit, and using more than three lines while ice fishing. He was fined $900.

These convictions stem from an investigation initiated from patrols conducted in and around the Avalon Wilderness reserve in February 2020.

On July 14, 2021 at Provincial Court in St. John’s, Curtis Critch of Gaskiers and Mitchell St. Croix of St. Mary’s, were convicted of illegally hunting moose, failing to produce wildlife when required to do so by a wildlife officer and operating all-terrain vehicles within the Avalon Wilderness Reserve without permits. The men were each fined $1,200, and are prohibited from applying for a big game licence for five years.

These convictions stem from an investigation initiated from patrols conducted in and around the Avalon Wilderness Reserve in November 2020.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to protecting the province’s fish and wildlife resources. The public can, and does, play a significant role in assisting Conservation Officers, by reporting any suspicious activity. Reports can be made anonymously at any time, by calling 1-877-820-0999 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. Anonymous reports can also be submitted online at www.nlcrimestoppers.com or www.stoppoaching.ca.

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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca