THUNDER BAY, ON - March 19, 2009 - Five northwestern Ontario residents have been convicted for various hunting violations involving the illegal killing, tagging and possession of a cow moose.  Three Ear Falls residents, Kurt Krause, 74, Richard Krause, 31, Greg Adams, 35, and two Perrault Falls residents, Jeremy Reynolds, 37, and Rikki Reynolds, 39, were all convicted after a lengthy investigation by Red Lake conservation officers and the Centre of Forensic Sciences in Sault Ste. Marie.

Court heard that Kurt Krause shot a cow moose on December 11, 2007 in the Windfall Road area in Wildlife Management Unit 5.  When he discovered it was not a bull moose, Krause left the severely injured animal in the bush for three days and did not report the accidental shooting.  Kurt Krause then returned to the dying animal with a group of hunters he’d assembled.  Rikki Reynold’s cow moose tag was affixed to the moose and all five hunters dressed and extracted it from the kill site and brought the carcass to Adams’ garage.

Justice of the Peace Roger McCraw heard the Krauses’ case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora, March 5, 2009.  Kurt Krause was fined $4,000 for illegally hunting a cow moose and is prohibited from hunting in Ontario for two years.  Richard Krause was fined $2,500 for the illegal possession of a cow moose and cannot hunt in Ontario for one year.

Justice of the Peace Roger McCraw heard Greg Adams’ case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Red Lake on March 11, 2009.  He was fined $750 for illegal possession of a cow moose.

Justice of the Peace Marg Pasloski heard the Reynolds’ case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Red Lake on December 10, 2008.  Rikki Reynolds and Jeremy Reynolds must each pay a $1,500 fine for assisting in the tagging and removal of the moose.  In addition, Rikki Reynolds cannot hunt in Ontario for one year.

The ministry reminds hunters to immediately report animals shot accidentally.

To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).