Five men from Quebec have been fined nearly $50,000 on multiple federal and provincial illegal hunting charges.
In 2016, conservation officers became aware of illegal hunting near Moose Jaw, Sask. The investigation led to a two-week surveillance operation in October 2017, which involved two separate groups of hunters.
The hunting was primarily happening in Moose Jaw and Parkbeg.
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Conservation officers collected evidence showing the hunting parties were wasting migratory birds. The investigation resulted in the search of a vehicle and trailer belonging to one of the Quebec residents, which showed they were also illegally hunting big game animals and shooting protected species.
A total of 65 federal and provincial charges were laid against the men which totalled $47, 770 in fines.
Patrick Leboeuf of Beauharnois, 41, pleaded guilty to six counts and was fined $18,310. Stephane Dubuc of Beauharnois, 39, pleaded guilty to six counts and was fined $11,770. Christian Leduc of Beauharnois, 55, pleaded guilty to four counts and was fined $6,790. Martin Gendron of Chateauguay, 43, pleaded guilty to three counts and was fined $5,400. Jean-Philippe Quesnel of Salaberry-De-Valleyfield, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts and was fined $5,400.
In addition to the fines, all five individuals received five-year provincial hunting suspensions and one-year federal hunting suspensions. Hunting equipment and firearms seized during the investigation were forfeited to the Crown.
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