Ontario conservation officers have laid 16 charges and issued seven warnings during a three-day coyote hunting enforcement blitz in Chatham-Kent, Essex and Lambton counties.
In response to an increase in unsafe hunting practices by coyote hunters, conservation officers conducted a plainclothes enforcement operation on February 7, 8 and 9, 2020. Officers contacted approximately 58 hunters during the operation that focused on public safety.
The following charges were laid under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Liquor Licence Act:
Thirteen charges for having a loaded firearm in a vehicle
Two charges for hunting a furbearing mammal without a licence
One charge for having an open container of liquor in a motor vehicle
Conservation officers issued seven warnings for failing to have small game licence on person and failing to have firearms licence on person while hunting with a gun.
After laying the charges, conservation officers seized firearms and ammunition as evidence.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reminds the public that natural resource laws are in place to ensure public safety and ethical hunting practices.
To report a natural resource violation or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact your local ministry office. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.
For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.
