Hunters lose appeal

Three hunters have lost their Ontario Court of Justice appeal against convictions for hunting in a posted “no hunting” zone dating back to 1997.
Convictions also were upheld against all three for allowing an animal to spoil.
In his Jan. 4, 2005 judgment, Justice F.A. Sargent said that hunting in a posted area is unsafe and therefore not protected by any treaty rights.
On Feb. 6, 2001, William Magiskan, 53, Ernie Gagnon, 51, and Sonny Gagnon, 50, all from Aroland First Nation, were found guilty of trespassing to hunt and allowing an animal to spoil.
They were fined $2,100 in Thunder Bay by Justice of the Peace Tom Logan.
The offences date back to Oct. 7, 1997 when the three men shot a bull moose inside a “no hunting” area posted by Kimberly Clark Forest Products Inc., located off the Spade Road, northwest of Geraldton.
No effort was made by the hunters to retrieve the animal.
Upon receiving complaints from woodlands employees who were concerned for their personal safety, Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers from Nipigon District conducted an investigation.