Environment Canada: Atlantic Region News Releases

Three Men Sentenced for Illegal Migratory Bird Hunting

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GRAND BANK, NL, July 29, 2003 – Three residents of the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador have been assessed fines totaling $4,500 and forfeiture of equipment in provincial court on conviction for charges of illegally hunting migratory birds. In addition to convictions under the federal Migratory Bird Convention Act, one of those charged also will serve four months in jail for breach of a court order under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Calvin B. Murphy and Richard John Flemming of Allan’s Island, and James Harris, of Lamaline each received fines of $1,500 for the illegal possession of migratory birds, hunting migratory birds from a power boat, and hunting without a license. Mr. Flemming has been prohibited from hunting migratory birds for life; Mr. Murphy has been prohibited from hunting for 10 years; and Mr. Harris has been prohibited from hunting migratory birds for five years. Mr. Flemming will also be serving a four-month jail sentence for criminal code offences.

In addition to the fines, materials and equipment forfeit that must be given to the Crown include a 19 foot aluminum boat with two 40 horsepower motors; 70 decoys, two firearms and ammunition. Arresting officers also confiscated 10 dead eider ducks and two dead black ducks which were shot illegally.

In November 2001, conservation enforcement officials with Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service, the RCMP and provincial conservation officers of the Newfoundland Department of Agriculture and Agrifoods began receiving complaints of illegal sea duck hunting in the Allan’s Island area of the Burin Peninsula.

As a result of the joint investigation by the three agencies, three individuals were charged and subsequently convicted.

Regulations of the Migratory Bird Convention Act concern the conservation and protection of migratory birds. The Regulations control, hunting and possession of migratory game birds; sale, purchase, or shipment of migratory birds, their nests or eggs; scientific collection, aviculture, and taxidermy; activities designed to reduce the damage migratory birds cause to crops or other property and the danger they pose to aircraft; and requirements for hunters to use non-toxic shot for most migratory game bird species. Violations of these regulations are punishable by fines of up to $250,000 or imprisonment for individuals.

.For further information, please contact:

Paul Langdon
Wildlife Enforcement Coordinator
Environment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service
(709) 541-3143