A Simcoe man has been fined $15,000 for illegally killing a moose and leaving the carcass to spoil, after an investigation that used a detection dog and ballistics examination, the province said Friday.
Aaron Elyk pleaded guilty Dec. 1 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Espanola to hunting big game unlawfully without a license and was fined $3,755, a news release from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said.
He also pleaded guilty to abandoning big game and was fined $11,255, the release said.
His hunting licenses have been canceled and he is prohibited from hunting in Ontario for two years, the province said.
The court heard Elyk shot and killed a cow moose near Sables Lake on Oct. 26, 2020, despite not having a valid licence, the release said.
The court also heard Elyk abandoned the moose, causing it to spoil, the release said.
Conservation officers started a lengthy investigation, taking statements, using a detection dog, a forensic ballistics examination and a search warrant, the provincial release said.
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry tips line toll free at 1-877-847-7667.
The public also can call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
For more information about unsolved cases, visit
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