Province lacks staff to enforce hunting, fishing laws

The Ministry of Natural Resources does not have enough staff to enforce laws against illegal hunting, fishingand logging,according to this week's Auditor General's report, but theministry says signage and fencing will help stop banned activities.

President of the Sudbury Game and Fish Protective Association Felix Delongchampsays that while most hunters are ethical, the lack of MNR conservation officers does allow miscreants to abuse the situation.

"The nature of man is that where there is opportunity, they will take advantage of it," said Delongchamp.

"There are a number of people who are poachers and there's not enough enforcement to stop these."

Ontario Parks Director BradleyFateauxdenies that enforcement officers are the only way to cut down onillegal activities.

"Everything from signage to gates to fencing - sometimes we have monitoring devices and trail cams to help us," saidFateaux, listing the MNRdepartment's solutions to prevent poaching.

"Signage is not a subsitute," arguesDelongchamp."We need people out in the field."