The Ontario government is safeguarding the public against unsafe and illegal hunting practices.
Cody Atkinson of Lakefield pleaded guilty to carelessly discharging a firearm while hunting and unlawfully giving notice of trespassing on Crown land. Atkinson received a total of $5,500 in fines and a five-year hunting licence suspension and must also complete the Ontario hunter education course before obtaining another hunting licence.
The court heard that on October 1, 2022, conservation officers received information of an altercation that occurred between two groups of duck hunters. Atkinson was hunting on a pond on October 1, 2022 and encountered two other duck hunters. Atkinson discharged his 12-gauge shotgun across the pond in the direction of the other hunters, striking one of the other hunters and damaging their hunting decoys with pellets from the shot. He told the other group to leave the area, claiming that they were trespassing on his private land, although the pond and surrounding area is Crown land.
Justice of the Peace Jack Le Blanc heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Peterborough, on April 3, 2023.
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.