The Ontario government is safeguarding public safety by ensuring hunters respect private property and seek landowner consent in advance of hunting.

Gary Kemp of Thunder Bay pleaded guilty to trespassing while hunting and was fined $2,000.

The court heard that on November 12, 2022, conservation officers were conducting a simulated wildlife decoy operation on private property in Conmee Township to address ongoing trespassing issues related to deer hunting on private land without landowner consent. Kemp observed the deer decoy, exited his vehicle and shot onto the private property without landowner consent in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Justice of the Peace Bernard Caron heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on January 31, 2024.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.