Operations conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture’s Resource Enforcement Division, Clarenville Detachment, resulted in several convictions related to off-road vehicles use in unapproved areas and big game infractions.

On October 14, 2024, officers from the Clarenville and Winterland detachments conducted an aerial patrol targeting off-road vehicle use in unapproved areas on the Burin Peninsula. The investigation resulted in six individuals being charged under section 13 of the Off-Road Vehicles Act for operating off-road vehicles in unapproved areas. Each received a $500 summary offence ticket for the violation.

At Provincial Court in Clarenville on January 30, 2025, Travis Hiscock of Trinity pleaded guilty to charges under the Wild Life Act including hunting in a management area not named on his big game license and illegal possession of a big game animal. He was convicted and fined $2,000 for both offences, received a five-year big game hunting prohibition, and forfeited the moose and firearm to the Crown.

At Provincial Court in Clarenville on February 20, 2025, Gordon Mackey of Catalina pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a highway. He was fined $1,000, received a five-year big game hunting prohibition, and forfeited the moose he shot.

Resource Enforcement Officers work to ensure residents understand and comply with laws that safeguard our natural resources. Information from the public plays a significant role in assisting investigations. Residents are encouraged to continue to report suspected illegal activity 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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