THUNDER BAY – Crime – MNR reports that four Thunder Bay men have been fined a total of $5,300 for offences related to an illegally killed cow moose.

The court heard that on November 10, 2012, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers responded to a tip about illegal moose hunting activities near Lily Lake Road west of Thunder Bay.

Illegal Moose Hunt

An investigation revealed that Barabash and Cottrell were hunting in the area and Barabash shot a cow moose. Neither man was licensed to do so.

They contacted Crewdson, who was not hunting with the two men, to obtain his cow moose validation seal. Esau and Crewdson travelled to the site, where Crewdson affixed his seal to the cow moose. Conservation officers were initially told that all four men were hunting together.

Patrick Barabash was fined $2,250 for unlawfully hunting moose and making a false statement to a conservation officer.

Gordon Esau was fined $1,250 for unlawfully possessing game and making a false statement to a conservation officer.

Garry Crewdson was fined $1,050 for unlawfully attaching a game seal and making a false statement to a conservation officer.

Warren Cottrell was fined $750 for unlawfully possessing game.

Justice of the Peace Bernard Caron heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on April 3, 2013.