The Resource Enforcement Division of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is seeking information from the public to help support an ongoing investigation related to recent reports of caribou poaching in the Stephenville Crossing area.

Resource Enforcement Officers indicate several caribou have been shot and left while other caribou appear to have been shot and removed.

The location where these incidents are taking place are not located within a designated Caribou Management Area and are impacting many caribou that use the areas around Stephenville Crossing as overwintering habitat. Illegal hunting adds additional stress to caribou populations during the harsh winter season.

Caribou in these areas often feed along the roadsides making them easy targets for poachers. Hunters are reminded it is an offence under the Wild Life Act to harvest a big game animal out of season, without a licence or in an area that is not open to hunting.

The maximum penalty for a first offence of illegal hunting during a closed season is $5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, and prohibition from holding a big game licence for five years.

Information provided by public can play a significant role in assisting wildlife related investigations. Any individual with information about these or any other incidents of suspected illegal hunting are encouraged to report this information.

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