Ted Nugent's New Brunswick outfitters face illegal hunting charges

A celebrity bear hunt held by rocker Ted Nugent in New Brunswick could be stalled following charges against the owners and operators of Lawrence Dyer and Sons Outfitters in Plaster Rock.

Daniel Dyer, his wife, Kimberly, and son Christopher Dyer, along with guide Todd Daye, have been charged with several counts of possessing illegal animal parts, illegal hunting and illegal hunting practices. The Dyer family owns the outfitting company. Daye is employed there as a guide.

The outfitter located just outside of Plaster Rock has been a popular spot for American hunters, including rocker and avid hunter Nugent.

Nugent has teamed with Lawrence Dyer and Sons in the past to hunt black bears. Nugent's website promotes New Brunswick bear hunts and offers hunters a chance to hunt bear with the star for $3,550 US, plus the $184 cost of a bear licence. Hunts are organized under Nugent's Sunrize Safari business. 

CBC News reached out to Nugent and his hunter agent, Paul Wilson, but was informed that he was "on a hunt" and would not be immediately available. 

Nugent was banned from hunting in Alaska recently after pleading guilty to illegally hunting bears at a different ranch. There is no suggestion he is connected with any wrongdoing in this case, but if the owners of the Plaster Rock operation are convicted, it could mean the closure of the lodge.

Fish and Wildlife Act 

Convictions for major offences under the Fish and Wildlife Act of New Brunswick make applicants ineligible to operate as a guide for a period of five years.

Daniel Dyer is charged with illegally possessing bear gallbladders and bear baculum, a bone found in the penis of bears and some other mammals. Moose meat, moose antlers, deer carcasses and deer heads were also seized from Dyer’s property. He also faces charges of trying to obtain a hunting permit illegally and purchasing a hunting permit illegally.

Dyer's son Christopher is also charged with illegal moose hunting, hunting at night, hunting without a hunter's orange garments and having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. He is also charged with illegally possessing a moose carcass. 

Kimberly Dyer, wife of Daniel and mother to Christopher, is charged with a single count of illegal moose hunting in September near or at Little Indian Lake. 

Daye is considered to be a senior guide of Lawrence Dyer and Sons Outfitters. He faces 19 charges of illegal hunting of moose, hunting at night, hunting without hunter's orange garments and illegally being in possession of a moose carcass. 

CBC News reached out to all those facing charges. Christopher Dyer was the only person to respond. He became verbally abusive and hung up after being questioned about the charges.

All of the accused are expected to be in Grand Falls provincial court on April 21.