So Selling Taxidermy is illegal?, Who Knew?

[jaybirdkmr]

So I was desperate for money last year, and was trying to sell anything not nailed down. The previous owner of my house left a taxidermy deer head here when he moved. I thought it was neat, so I left it up. When times got tough, I was selling anything I could to get through.

So I posted an ad on this site to sell stuff, and one of the items was this deer head. Not being a hunter, I had no idea it was illegal to sell them.

Kijiji never said a word, and I was contacted by an undercover conservation officer to purchase the deer head from me. I made the sale, and 5 minues later him, and 2 other guys, one dressed in fatigues were knocking on my door. They took their money back, confiscated my deer head as evidence, and said they would see me in court.

More can be read in my blog.

I am asking the community to go to my online petition, and sign it if you had no idea this law existed, so I can take it to the judge and show him that my ignorance in this matter is shared by the masses.

The conservation officers explained that the law is in place to prevent people from killing wildlife for the sole purpose of making a profit. And I understand his point, however, because I never imagined that in my wildest dreams that people would actually do that, I never thought to even look it up.

I have no problem with the law itself, but because I had never seen any sort of advertisement about it, I don't think I should be held accountable either.

the petition:
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/jaywpilon

the blog:
http://sprintingbackwardsthroughlife.blogspot.com/

Thank you.

[no_more_hacks@hotmail.com]

you mean to tell me of the 100+ million laws in this country (yes its close to that) that you don't know all of them,,,,,,, according to the justice system ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so it is our duty as citizens to know every detail of every law in place..... my god if we all did that non of us would even step outside, everything you do in some way comes close to if not completely violates some kind of law, bylaw or ordinance of some kind. (including ones that have not been enforced in hundreds of years)

inform the judge that it was left in your home, and not being a hunter or involved in any part of that type of activity including conservation that you were unaware of the regulation so basically plead guilty with extenuating circumstances. he'll probley let you off with a suspended sentance with condition you don't do anything that violates any conservation law for 5 years or something, at worst a small fine to recover costs.

[Angus Black]

This would be a Provincial law not Federal.
Since you don't say what Province you are in, either here or in your petition, you have no way of knowing if the replies to your pole or petition are even relevant.

[jaybirdkmr]

well sir, considering I posted in the ONTARIO forum...I disagree with your statement

[joesource]

[Angus Black]

[jaybirdkmr]

http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/jaywpilon click on the link

[zXChobitsXz]

I'm going to have to side with the law on this one.

Are you at all aware how many things you know are NOT right, that you have learned over the years, just rules for general living? Like, if you hold your breath for too long, you will pass out? Fire hurts, no touchy? Sharp metal penetrates skin, don't do it? How about contact with ice for an extended period of time kind of hurts, were you not aware of that either?

It just boggles my mind, how people can know SO many general, common things, but as soon as an actual LAW comes into play...."I didn't know that!" and they moan and whine like little kids because of their own ignorance.

Seriously, if you didn't know that NOT breathing would cause you to pass out/potentially kill you, would you make a petition about that? Who exactly would you be blaming for that? Because of course, that's not YOUR fault for not knowing, right?

Just goes to show the rampant idiocy in todays world, and how it is NOT their fault, but everyone elses. Right.

I wonder if crossing a road when those lights are red is allowed? I don't know, think I'll go find out......

[teezy]

[Angus Black]

[fivedogs]

I wonder if they were even telling the truth about who they were.
Did they show you any id?
Leave any paper work or contact info with you?
I think I'd call the police myself and report those men,just to be sure they were not "pulling" anything over on you.

They got the money and the deer head.
You got a "I should be getting a summons in the mail, probably for a date with the Justice of the Peace, for June 1st, "Hopefully" he said.
Wouldn't some type of paper work have been left with you?
Contact info?
Something?

[jaybirdkmr]

Angus, first of all, I thought you "got it" when I made ONTARIO out in capital letters. I apologize, and now I will spell it our for you. Yes, it is in Ontario, and the one signature from Winnipeg, was a former co-worked of mine, who made his home in Ontario until about 3 years ago.

fivedogs: Yes, they showed I.D. I actually thought they forgot about me, until this past Thursday, one of them came back with my summons.
Wanting to put the ordeal behind me, I just left it alone until I received the summons, but now I have a renewed cause to defend myself as best I can.

I'm glad that you're all reading both the blog, and the petition.

I have absolutely no issues with the law itself. It is there to stop senseless poaching for profit, although I'm sure it probably cost a lot more to stuff the deer head than I tried to sell it for, I was not selling to make a profit, I was selling to try and provide a meal or two for my family.

Because I am not a hunter, it didn't even cross my mind. I didn't see it from the conservationist's point of view until they explained to me why the law is in place. So, in fact, I totally agree with the law.

My issue is that unless you're in the business of hunting, or taxidermy, you wouldn't know the difference. It would be like selling an old car, or a couch, or any other random thing you'll find in the classifieds.

I know you need a licence to hunt, or to fish, but it's because I've seen it broadcast in the media, or have been told by parents, etc. while growing up. Selling taxidermy isn't just something that gets brought up in everyday life.

[Kijiji_nanagoo]

Unfortunately, MNR keeps an eye on Kijiji and Craigslist Ads.

The Police do too.

You are right, the average person would not know
about this law and I am sorry you find yourself in this situation.

I hope when you appear before the Magistrate or whoever is the big kahuna, he will take pity on you.

Good Luck

[jaybirdkmr]

I am fine with that they are watching too, but this whole thing could have been avoided with a simple reply telling me that what I was doing was wrong.
Instead of wasting my tax dollars using 3 guys to pay me a visit, a 10 second e-mail would have settled the whole thing.

[fivedogs]

Is this allowed? (not my ad)

Wolf rug for sale.
Excellent condition.
Never used as a rug. I bought it to hang on the wall but never got around to it.
Measures 5 feet from left to right paw and 6 feet from nose to tail.
Asking $175 obo

Location is N.S.