Q: My hunting partner made a mistake and shot the wrong sex moose. What are the consequences of self-reporting the mistake vs. abandoning the animal in the bush?
A: Mistaken identity of moose can happen. Scenarios include twin yearling cows lying down — one stands up and gets shot, it falls, and the twin stands up to escape, only to be shot as well. The hunter believes, mistakenly, that they’re the same animal. Hunters should also be aware that during the late season, bull moose may have lost their antlers; a hunter harvests what they believed to be a lone cow which they subsequently realize is a bull that has shed its antlers.
It is imperative that time is taken to properly identify what you are about to shoot at. There is no rewind option once the decision has been made. Features that identify sex or age must be part of the hunting experience, including slowing things down to really see the animal, focusing on colour of face, presence/absence of a whitish vulval patch, presence of a calf, antlers present or obstructed by ears or foliage.
If a mistake is made, the right thing to do is take a moment, accept that this has happened, and that there was no malicious intent. The only option is to call the MNR TIPS line and self-report (1-877-TIPS-MNR). A conservation officer will attend as soon as possible and walk through your hunt with you. That officer will appreciate your concern, shown by having called it in; you will be afforded our respect and courtesy. Might a charge be laid? Possibly. If your decision to harvest was flawed, you may be charged for the wrong animal being harvested. The animal will be seized and donated to local charitable recipients.
Wrong decision
The wrong decision is to walk away from the animal, leaving it to rot. That act, once thoroughly investigated, would likely result in a summons to appear in court, resulting in higher fines, possible loss of hunting privileges and forfeiture of equipment involved.
ANSWERS BY: Rick Leblanc, Area Enforcement Manager/Thunder Bay, MNR
David Critchlow, Provincial Enforcement Specialist, MNR
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Originally published in Ontario OUT of DOORS’ 2023-2024 Hunting Annual
Ask a CO is also a regular feature in the print edition
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CO propaganda. The govt is not on your side, ever! If you call it in, you will have your license taken away and have to redo CORE, you will be fined heavily, you will have your guns taken away, you will be prohibited from hunting for years, and in addition to that you may be prosecuted and imprisoned. They will 100% not just let you off with a warning.
“Might a charge be laid? Possibly.”
Possibly?? The uncertainty of possible punishment is the reason that most moose are left to rot in the swamp. Because sincere confession mitigates the punishment but makes it inevitable.
“The animal will be seized and donated to local charitable recipients.”
How do you imagine that? It needs to pull moose out of a swamp, cut a trail in the woods for ATV, etc. Who will do that? Man who made a mistake? I have a doubt. Local charitable recipients mentioned? Even more doubts, they used to get meat in much easier way.
In my opinion, the government should reconsider the approach to the wrong shot, and introduce clear regulations. For example, if you shoot a cow instead of a bull, you have to pay 2,000 and take the carcass. Without any others consequences. There should be a clear rule that does not depend on the mood of the conservation officer.