Poachers Hit with Large Fines and Hunting Suspensions for Violations under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

GANDER, NL -- May 9, 2011 -- A two-year investigation by Environment Canada’s Enforcement Branch into the excessive harvest and illegal selling of migratory birds in the Twillingate and New World Island areas of Newfoundland and Labrador has resulted in convictions and heavy fines for local poachers.

Hardy Brian Dove, age 55 of Twillingate, pleaded guilty on April 11, 2011 in Provincial Court in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador to charges under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. He was sentenced on May 6, 2011.

Mr. Dove was fined $4,800 for illegally selling murres and eider ducks, and for exceeding the possession limit for these species. He was also fined $1,360 for monetary gain from the sale of migratory birds. Mr. Dove was also ordered to surrender a 5.8 metre boat and motor, one shotgun, a number of duck decoys, and other hunting items to the Crown. He is also prohibited for six years from hunting or being in the company of anyone hunting migratory birds.

U.S. Hunter Charged With Violations While Hunting Waterfowl

It is alleged that Foiles committed violations while hunting and filming in Canada.
The fine = $1 million/offence.
The charges relate to alleged violations of Canadian hunting and criminal laws occurring between 2003 and 2007, including:

causing unnecessary pain and suffering to a bird contrary to the Criminal Code;
taking over the daily bag limit of geese;
taking over the daily bag limit of ducks;
continuing to hunt after daily bag limit is reached;
hunting from a moving boat or boat under power;
failing to immediately retrieve a migratory game bird; and
failing, after retrieving a migratory game bird, to immediately kill the bird
Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the maximum penalty for indictable offences is $1 million per offence or the possibility of imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or both.