A joint operation conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Resource Enforcement Division and Fisheries and Oceans Canada into poaching activity in the Long Harbour area has resulted in convictions and fines.

On May 18, 2022, Sheldon Hickey of Grand Le Pierre was convicted at Provincial Court in Grand Bank for possessing a firearm during a closed hunting period and fined $500. Charges were laid after a surveillance operation in the Long Harbour area during September 2021. A subsequent investigation by the RCMP resulted in charges related to possession of a firearm while having a lifetime ban on possessing a firearm.

Mr. Hickey was sentenced to 30 days in jail, received probation for 12 months and had the lifetime firearm possession prohibition continued. Mr. Hickey was also convicted in 2019 on charges related to illegal possession of big game and the illegal possession of a firearm.

In a separate case, Alphonsus Windsor of Harbour Mille was convicted at Provincial Court in Grand Bank for hunting on Sunday and received a fine of $300.

The public can play a significant role to combat poaching and support the efforts of Conservation Officers to protect the province’s wildlife resources by reporting 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.stoppoaching.ca or www.nlcrimestoppers.com.

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