Illegal moose hunt leads to lifetime ban for Ontario man

A bull moose is shown laying in a wooded area in this stock photo. (File photo/Pixabay/ShutterStock)

A northeastern Ontario man has received a lifetime hunting ban and been ordered to pay $730 in fines following a pair of moose hunting violations in the Larder Lake area.

Donald Gosselin of Larder Lake pleaded guilty to failing to properly attach an invalidated moose tag and failing to produce a licence to a conservation officer, said the Ministry of Natural Resources in a recently released court bulletin.

The penalties were handed down following an investigation that began on Nov. 11, 2024, when conservation officers conducted a vehicle stop on Larder Station Road.

Vehicle stop leads to investigation

“Gosselin was returning from his hunting camp with his rifle on the passenger seat,” the ministry said.

“Upon inspection, Gosselin denied harvesting a moose to the conservation officers.”

A subsequent investigation revealed that Gosselin had in fact harvested a moose and kept it at a nearby house. The moose did not have a tag attached as per the Ontario Hunting Regulations.

Lifetime prohibition, firearm forfeiture

In addition to the $730 in fines, Gosselin received a lifetime prohibition from possessing an Ontario hunting licence and engaging in any hunting activities in Ontario.

His firearm was permanently forfeited to the Crown, and the moose was donated.

Justice of the Peace Wade R. Cachagee heard the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice in Haileybury on Nov. 13, 2025.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

For more information about unsolved cases, click here.

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