In this story, the “C” in CSI stands for conservation.
Three northern Ontario hunters were tagged with hefty fines after a “lengthy” investigation by conservation officers that included matching moose DNA, reviewing trail camera photos and executing multiple search warrants.
It all began in October 2022, when an officer encountered three hunters in South Lorrain Township, in Timiskaming. The trio possessed a bull moose, which one of the men — Zachary MacMillan of North Bay — said he shot under the authority of his Indigenous harvesting rights.
Skeptical of the claim, conservation officers started digging for more information.
“Through a lengthy investigation involving matching moose DNA, reviewing numerous trail camera photos, and executing several search warrants, it was discovered the shooter of the bull moose was Gord MacMillan, who did not possess a licence to hunt moose in Ontario,” says a news release issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
The case was heard in February at the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury.
Gord MacMillan of North Bay pleaded guilty to hunting a bull moose without a licence and making a false statement to a conservation officer. He was fined $6,000 and received a one-year suspension from all hunting activities.
Zachary MacMillan pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a conservation officer and possessing illegally obtained moose meat. He was fined $2,000.
Mike Molyneaux of Temagami pleaded guilty to possessing illegally obtained moose meat and was fined $500.
“The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters do not cover up illegal hunting activities,” the news release states.
Anyone who wants to report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
More information about unsolved cases can be found HERE.