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ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

MONTH: June 2007

Quebec wardens bust a poaching legend

 

MONTREAL--For more than 30 years rumors circulated among Quebec game wardens about trophy hunting outfitters north of the St. Lawrence River who would allegedly trap wolves and bears with baited hooks, then fly rich clients out to shoot them.

The perpetrators allegedly also chased big moose and caribou to exhaustion with helicopters, to give unscrupulous and politically powerful customers easier shots.

But none of the suspects were ever caught in any of the acts and arrested. Catching ordinary deer poachers in relatively populated southern Quebec was difficult. Catching well-funded and well-equipped poachers hundreds of miles from any accidental witnesses was deemed almost impossible.

On May 1, 2007, however, the Quebec Justice Department announced charges against 12 alleged poachers who are accused of doing everything rumored-- and released a photo of the alleged poachers flying an illegally killed moose out of the woods.

"The dozens of offences range from making false statements to unlawful possession of moose," summarized Ingrid Peritz of the Toronto Globe & Mail. "Two men have pleaded guilty and 10 not guilty."

Ministere des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Quebec wardens testified that "The shooters set out in helicopters from the upscale Lac Matonipi outfitting lodge, north of Baie Comeau," Peritz recounted. "Among those charged is Clément Guérin, director of the Lac Matonipi lodge."

Guérin, a resident of the Montreal suburb of St. Lazare, was charged with illegal possession of a moose and a black bear, and with allegedly hooking wolves. He pleaded not guilty, claiming he had been framed by the investigators.

"André Martel, whose $1.5-million helicopter was seized after the operation, faces 15 charges that could bring fines of a minimum $27,375," Peritz continued. "Martel, president of Panorama Helicopters, is charged with numerous counts of chasing moose and firing on a moose from a helicopter. He refused to comment when he was reached at his company in Alma, Quebec."

Investigation of the poaching operation was underway for about three years, making use of tips from legal hunters.