6 firearms seized, 3 men arrested after night hunting incident

Three Labrador men lost their hunting prize when they were tracked down by wildlife enforcement officers at midnight last week.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety said six firearms, a pickup truck, a large quantity of ammunition and a quantity of moose was taken from three hunters after they were spotted hunting at night near Croque on the Northern Peninsula.

The government said they had received several complaints from the public about illegal hunting in the area — including hunters using artificial lights and shooting from vehicles. Enforcement officers planned an operation, and while the hunters fled from one enforcement vehicle, they were intercepted by a second.

The three men, all from Labrador City, were arrested and will be charged with hunting big game at night and dangerous use of a firearm. The government says a number of other charges are expected.

The three men were later released and will appear in provincial court in St. Anthony in December.