Illegal trapping could lead to $11,000 fine, plus loss of snowmobile, traps

By Susan McNeil

A Weirdale-area man has been convicted of seven charges involving illegal trapping in a part of the Fort à la Corne forest that is set aside for use by the James Smith Cree Nation.

Lloyd Slonski could face over $11,000 in fines, along with the forfeiture of his snowmobile and all of his trapping gear if Crown Prosecutor Matthew Miazga is successful in his submission.

Lloyd Slonski has been convicted on seven charges relating to illegal trapping in the Fort à la Corne Forest. (File photo/paNOW)

“Fines in the past have not been sufficient. They’ve been imposed on four occasions in the past,” Miazga said in provincial court Monday afternoon.

He said Slonski’s past convictions showed a disregard for the law. He also submitted that the use of free-hanging neck snares by Slonski is an aggravating factor.

“There’s no reason for those things to be used here. He had the permit to use power snares,” Miazga said.

Free-hanging snares take longer to kill the trapped animal, while a power snare is relatively quick and is considered more humane.

In addition, the Parks Ministry is in the process of permanently suspending Slonski’s ability to hunt and trap.

Miazga asked Justice of the Peace Barry Rossmann to issue an order banning Slonksi from even helping others with their hunting and trapping.

The offences took place inside a Wildlife Management Unit in the Fort à la Corne forest that is only available for the use of members of James Smith Cree Nation. Slonksi is not a member.

Miazga said about 10 members of the band regularly use the area. Slonski’s lawyer Peter Abrametz disputed that, stating his client believes no one from the band has hunted or trapped in that location for decades.

Abrametz disputed other statements by the Crown as well.

“We think the court has been given inaccurate information about the free-hanging neck snares,” Abrametz said.

A sentence was not imposed because Abrametz said he is considering a constitutional challenge to the minimum fine and needs time to prepare.

Rossmann said it was very clear the law was broken and that Slonski was guilty.

He did not allow the defence submission that Slonski did not know where he was when he snared a coyote and a wolf.

“The evidence was overwhelming that the offence had happened in the Fort à la Corne WMU,” he said. As to whether the accused knew for sure he was in a restricted area, he said that was irrelevant.

“It does not matter. A hunter is required to know their location and where the boundaries are,” Rossmann stated.

It was also clear that it was the defendant who had the animals, Rossmann added, and that he did not report the road-killed deer he used as bait in his traps within seven days as the law requires, he said.

A sentencing date was set for April 17.