Courts Archives - Muskoka411

Individual Fined For Hunting Ducks From A Moving Boat

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:15:33 +0000

An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined $2,500 for the following hunting violations against migratory birds:

Liam Comerford of Killaloe pleaded guilty to hunting migratory birds from a moving motorboat, contrary to the Migratory Birds Regulations. Comerford was fined $2,500 and is prohibited from applying for a migratory game bird hunting permit for three years.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on September 28, 2025, conservation officers were conducting a patrol near Cole’s Creek off Golden Lake. A hunter was observed shooting at ducks from a moving motorboat while collecting decoys. The conservation officers later observed hunters proceeding upstream on Cole’s Creek and multiple shots being fired at ducks flying overhead while the boat was being driven. Upon arrival back at the launch, the officers’ investigation revealed that Comerford had been shooting from the motorboat while it was being driven by another hunter.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer L. Grant heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke, on April 20, 2026.

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/MNRTips.

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Individual Fined For Allowing Dogs To Run At Large In Areas Inhabited By White-Tailed Deer

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 17:13:43 +0000

An individual from Northeastern Ontario has been fined $1,000 for allowing her dogs to run at large in areas inhabited by white-tailed deer, which can cause distress to the deer and decrease their survival:

Caitlyn Baker of Evansville, Manitoulin Island was convicted of letting her dogs run at large during both the open and closed seasons for white-tailed deer. She was fined $1,000 and received a two-year probation from having any dogs in her care and control leave her property without being properly attached to a person.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on six occasions in 2024, conservation officers received public complaints of dogs interrupting their hunt and chasing and killing deer in the Evansville area, causing danger to people and wildlife. Conservation officers investigated the complaints and confirmed through photographic evidence the public suspicions. Baker had also been convicted of the same offence three times prior.

It is unlawful to allow a dog to run at large on any Crown or private lands inhabited by big game species during closed hunting seasons, and it is especially important to prevent dogs from running at large in critical wintering habitats that white-tailed deer rely on for survival. Dogs permitted to run at large in these areas can harass and chase deer and other big game, potentially causing injury or death due to exhaustion.

Keeping dogs under control when out on Crown or private lands not only protects wildlife populations but helps keep pets safe from other hazards they may encounter in the area.

Justice of the Peace Lori-Ann Toulouse heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Gore Bay, on February 19, 2026.

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Gravenhurst Cottager Fined $5,716.82 For Starting A Wildland Fire

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 00:03:40 +0000

An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined and ordered to pay over $5,700 after unsafe burning practices caused a wildland fire:

Geoffrey Larden of Gravenhurst pleaded guilty to failing to tend a fire under the Forest Fires Prevention Act. He was ordered to pay the Province of Ontario $5,716.82 as partial compensation for the costs incurred to extinguish the fire.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on August 4, 2025, a wildland fire was reported adjacent to a cottage located on Gull Lake in the Town of Gravenhurst. No individuals were present at the cottage. Fire crews from the Town of Gravenhurst responded and began suppression efforts until an airborne fire crew from the Ministry of Natural Resources arrived to take over.

The fire was determined to be human-caused, and a subsequent investigation took place. The investigation determined that on July 31, Larden, the cottage owner, had a fire where wood debris was burned on the forest floor and not within a designated fire pit. After burning the debris, Larden poured water on the burned area. Larden then left the property on August 3.

An examination by a forensic investigator with the ministry took place and determined that the fire lit by Larden on July 31 maintained a state of sustained combustion. The weather between July 31 and August 4 was hot and dry, and on August 4, fire weather indices became extreme and favourable for the spread of an out-of-control wildland fire. On this day, the fire grew and threatened nearby cottages in addition to causing a power outage on a portion of the lake. The investigation was supported by eye-witness accounts from residents and cottage owners.

Justice of the Peace Margot M. D. Ballagh heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Bracebridge, on April 1, 2026.

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Two People From Haliburton Fined For Unlawfully Dredging Shore Lands Without A Permit

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 30 May 2026 15:48:34 +0000

Two individuals from Southern Ontario have been fined a total of $4,000 for the following unlawful activity on the shore lands of a lake:

Patrick Mark and Jonathan Mark of Haliburton both pleaded guilty to unlawfully dredging shore lands without a permit. They were fined $2,000 each.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on August 11, 2025, Patrick Mark and Jonathan Mark were operating an excavator on the shore of Lipsy Lake, located in the Township of Dysart et al, north of Haliburton. While attempting to remove woody debris and aquatic vegetation along the shoreline, the excavator was driven into the waters of Lipsy Lake.

The lakebed was scraped and dredged using the heavy machinery, without obtaining a permit. Witnesses observed the excavator in the water and immediately reported the incident to the ministry TIPS line. The ministry’s district staff responded to the incident, completing a damage assessment before handing the investigation over to conservation officers.

Justice of the Peace Joel Kulmatycki heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, City of Kawartha Lakes, on February 24, 2026.

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Group Of People Fined A Total Of $15,000 For Moose Hunting Violations

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 24 May 2026 15:37:11 +0000

A group of people has been fined a total of $15,000 for the following moose hunting violations:

Yong Li of Toronto pleaded guilty to trespassing for the purpose of hunting and hunting moose without a licence. He was fined $5,000 and is prohibited from possessing an Ontario hunting licence for two years.

Fei Teng of Richmond Hill pleaded guilty to trespassing for the purpose of hunting and hunting moose without a licence. He was fined $7,000 and is suspended from hunting in Ontario for one year.

Ronald Polmateer of Savard Township, the host of Li and Teng, was found guilty at trial to entering prohibited premises under the Trespass to Property Act and to transporting unlawfully killed wildlife under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. He was fined a total of $3,000 and had his moose hunting licence suspended for one year.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 25, 2023, conservation officers received information through the ministry TIPS line about possible moose hunting violations. The next day, conservation officers determined through investigation that Li and Teng were staying with Polmateer and were hunting for moose along Concession Road 3 in the Township of Robillard. While both Li and Teng had a moose hunting licence, the only tag belonged to Teng which was valid for a calf moose.

Li and Teng observed two moose in a private hay field located at Lot 5 on Concession Road 3, where they did not have permission to hunt. Both individuals entered the property, discharged their rifles and killed a cow moose, which they did not have a licence to hunt. They then called Polmateer, who assisted in retrieving and transporting the moose.

Justice of the Peace Christine C. Leclair heard the case over several days throughout 2024 to 2026, in the Ontario Court of Justice, Haileybury.

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Americans Fined For Illegal Fishing In Ontario

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 16 May 2026 16:10:18 +0000

Two individuals from the United States have been fined a total of $7,400 for the following fishing violations:

Cade Sarbacker of Mineral Point, Wisconsin and Tyrus Olson of Dodgeville, Wisconsin pleaded guilty to possessing an overlimit of walleye and possessing skinned fish so that the species could not easily be identified. Each individual was fined $3,700.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 8, 2025, conservation officers were conducting a marine patrol on Sturgeon Lake, north of Ignace, and encountered Sarbacker and Olson fishing. An inspection revealed that the pair possessed a total of 26 walleye, some of which had been skinned so that the species could not easily be identified. Sarbacker and Olson admitted to possessing 13 walleye each; which was nine walleye over their limits. Each individual also claimed responsibility for the skinless fillets in their possession.

Justice of the Peace Tobey Meyer heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on February 4, 2026.

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Group Fined For Illegal Fishing And Camping In French River Provincial Park

Muskoka411 Staff — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:32:02 +0000

Three individuals from Southern Ontario have been fined a total of $7,610 for the following violations:

Bohdan Shunevych of Milton pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a gillnet, fishing without a licence, obstructing a conservation officer, camping without a permit and tending a fire outside of a fireplace in a provincial park. He was fined a total of $2,575 and is prohibited from possessing an Ontario fishing licence or engaging in any fishing activities in Ontario for one year.

Ryan Tulayan of Etobicoke pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a gillnet, fishing without a licence, obstructing a conservation officer, camping without a permit and tending a fire outside of a fireplace in a provincial park. He was fined a total of $2,575 and is prohibited from possessing an Ontario fishing licence or engaging in any fishing activities in Ontario for one year.

Eric Dinglasan of Brampton pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a gillnet, fishing without a licence, camping without a permit and tending a fire outside of a fireplace in a provincial park. He was fined a total of $2,460 and is prohibited from possessing an Ontario fishing licence or engaging in any fishing activities in Ontario for one year.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on August 21, 2024, a conservation officer located a 6.65 metre long gillnet actively fishing on the French River in Mowat Township. The officer contacted Shunevych, Tulayan and Dinglasan unlawfully camping in French River Provincial Park and tending a fire outside of a fire pit nearby.

A subsequent investigation revealed the gillnet was set by the group, despite denying involvement with the gillnet. None of the three individuals possessed a commercial fishing licence to allow them to possess or fish with the gillnet. The gillnet was seized and forfeited to the Crown.

Justices of the Peace Sharon K. Ashick and Joseph A. Guitard heard the cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sudbury, on April 14, 2025, and July 14, 2025.

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U.S. Man Fined Nearly $29K For Illegal Moose Kill In Ontario

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 17:26:00 +0000

An individual from the United States has been fined $28,750 for the following moose hunting violations:

Larry Szura of New Auburn, Wisconsin was found guilty of discharging a firearm down the travelled portion of a roadway, hunting moose without a licence and possessing illegally killed wildlife. He was fined $28,750 and received a ten-year hunting licence suspension.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 3, 2023, conservation officers located a cow moose carcass along Nort Road, north of Pickle Lake, with evidence suggesting it had been killed while standing on the roadway. An investigation determined Szura had unlawfully killed the moose on September 29, 2023 by shooting down the travelled portion of the road with a high-powered rifle. Szura did not have a valid cow tag and subsequently travelled over 13 kilometres to his hunting partner, who was not aware Szura was out hunting, and convinced the tag holder to invalidate their tag on the unlawful harvest. Szura immediately left the area and returned to the United States the next morning.

Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Dryden, on December 11, 2025.

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Individual Fined For Allowing Dogs To Run At Large In Areas Inhabited By White-Tailed Deer

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:50:08 +0000

An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined $1,500 for allowing his dogs to run at large in areas inhabited by white-tailed deer, which can cause distress to the deer and decrease their survival during the winter months:

Shawn Brennan of Buckhorn pleaded guilty to allowing his dogs to run at large during the closed hunting season in an area usually inhabited by white-tailed deer. Brennan also pleaded guilty to allowing his dogs to run at large in the same area during the open archery hunting season for white-tailed deer, when hunting with dogs is unlawful. He was fined a total of $1,500.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that an investigation by conservation officers in response to multiple complaints from the public determined that Brennan permitted his dogs to run at large in a rural area within the Municipality of Trent Lakes on multiple occasions between October 2024 and February 2025. Brennan had previously been convicted of similar offences involving his dogs running at large in April 2018.

Keeping dogs under control when out on Crown or private lands not only protects wildlife populations but helps keep pets safe from other hazards they may encounter in the area.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Mumby heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Peterborough, on December 11, 2025.

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Individual Fined For Illegal Night Hunting

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 16:30:49 +0000

An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined $5,000 for the following hunting violations:

Jason Bosse of Newcastle pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting coyotes at night. He was fined a total of $5,000 and received a six-month hunting licence suspension.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on November 25, 2024, while conducting patrols near the city of Pickering, a conservation officer heard two high-powered rifle shots from a farm property occurring 30 minutes after the close of legal hunting time. Bosse was quickly located in the vicinity of the farm property in possession of a deceased coyote and a high-powered rifle equipped with a thermal scope capable of recording video. A search warrant conducted for the digital contents stored in the scope subsequently revealed additional videos of Bosse hunting coyotes at night. Unless prescribed by the regulations, hunting is not allowed during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise.

Justice of the Peace Kevin J.A. Hunter heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Whitby, on December 3, 2025.

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