Five Southern Ontario Hunters Fined $37,000 for Moose Hunting Violations in Northern Ontario
A lengthy moose hunting investigation has led to the conviction of five individuals for illegal hunting activities, resulting in fines totaling $37,000 and an additional $9,250 in victim surcharges.
Between 2020 and 2022, conservation officers and the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Intelligence and Investigations Services conducted a special investigation into illegal moose hunting in a remote area north of Pickle Lake, Ontario.
The investigation revealed multiple offences:
- Paul Markewycz, of Mississauga, unlawfully discharged a firearm from a motorboat at a bull moose on the Otoskwin River. He was fined $20,000, received a three-year hunting license suspension, and had his prior big game hunting violations taken into account.
- Miroslaw Markewycz, also of Mississauga, pleaded guilty to unlawfully invalidating a hunting tag for an animal harvested by another group member in his absence. He was fined $2,000 and given a two-year hunting license suspension.
- Piotr Markewycz, Vitaliy Shevchenko, and Michael Lamanna were each found guilty of knowingly making false statements to conservation officers. Fines imposed were $6,000 for Piotr, $5,000 for Vitaliy, and $4,000 for Michael. Each received a one-year hunting license suspension.
The case was heard on December 2 by Justice of the Peace Nancy Tulloch at the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay.
Authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to hunting regulations to protect wildlife populations and encourage public cooperation in reporting illegal activities.
Anyone with information about unsolved natural resource violations can contact the ministry’s TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
