Three Men Convicted for Illegal Hunting and Selling of Migratory Birds

CORNER BROOK, Newfoundland and Labrador, March 16, 2006 - Three men from Rose Blanche, Newfoundland and Labrador, were convicted in Provincial Court on March 10, 2006, for offences under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

George Allan Neil, 58 years old, was convicted of all 19 offences for which he was charged under the Migratory Bird Convention Act and received a total fine of $5,000. Mr. Neil was sentenced to three years of probation and a 10-year prohibition during which time he is restricted from hunting or being in the company of anyone hunting migratory birds. Mr. Neil is not permitted to hold or use a hunting or fishing license until all fines are paid. In addition, he has forfeited a 20-foot fibreglass boat, two motors, firearms, ammunition and other items seized that were connected to the illegal hunting and selling of birds.

Lyndon Scott Neil, 28 years old, was convicted of all 11 offences for which he was charged under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. He has received a total fine of $3,000, and was sentenced to three years of probation and a five-year prohibition during which time he is restricted from hunting or being in the company of anyone hunting migratory birds. Mr. Neil is not permitted to hold or use a hunting or fishing license until all fines are paid.

Randy Chislett, 29 years old, was convicted of all seven offences for which he was charged under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. He has received a total fine of $3,000, was sentenced to three years of probation and a five-year prohibition during which time he is restricted from hunting or being in the company of anyone hunting migratory birds. Mr. Chislett is not permitted to hold or use a hunting or fishing license until all fines are paid. In addition, he has forfeited a shotgun, ammunition and bird pickers.

These charges were laid as the result of a three-year investigation led by Environment Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service into the illegal hunting, selling and trading of migratory birds on the Southwest coast of Newfoundland.

The investigation was a joint operation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources. The individuals were apprehended in April 2005, with the assistance of officers from the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Newfoundland Region.

For more information, please contact:

Ken Tucker
Canadian Wildlife Service
Atlantic Region
(709) 535-0601