Hunting Archives - Muskoka411

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.

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 — 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.

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 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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Three Muskoka Residents Fined A Total Of $4,250 For Deer Hunting Violations

Muskoka411 Staff — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 21:36:13 +0000

Three individuals from Southern Ontario have been fined a total of $4,250 for the following deer hunting violations:

Caleb Stoneman of Bracebridge pleaded guilty to hunting big game without a licence. He was fined $2,500 and received a one-year hunting suspension.

Paige Douglas of Bracebridge pleaded guilty to unlawfully using another person’s licence. She was fined $750.

Mitchell Shea of Utterson pleaded guilty to unlawfully invalidating a tag with respect to an animal killed by another person. He was fined $1,000.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 15, 2024, near Utterson, Ontario, Stoneman shot a deer with a crossbow. He then used his cellphone to purchase a deer hunting licence in an attempt to legitimize the hunt. The tag that should have been printed when the licence was purchased was not, and the deer was removed from the property.

The court also heard that on November 4, 2024, Douglas was hunting on the same property with the deer tag that was issued to Stoneman in her possession. Stoneman was not present during this hunt where Douglas observed and shot a deer. The deer tag was produced and given to Shea who unlawfully invalidated this tag on Douglas’ behalf. A crossbow and rifle were seized as a result of the investigation.

Justice of the Peace Cheryl B. McLean heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Bracebridge, on June 4, 2025.

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Three Non-Ontario Residents Fined For Unlawful Moose Hunting

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 15:28:20 +0000

Three individuals from the United States have been fined a total of $27,500 for the following moose hunting violations:

Ben Droessler of Wisconsin pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat and hunting a moose while it was swimming. He was fined $12,000 and received a ten-year hunting licence suspension.

Jeffery Gassman of Wisconsin pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat, hunting a moose while it was swimming and hunting moose without a licence. He was fined $11,500 and received a ten-year hunting suspension.

Zach Droessler of Wisconsin pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat. He was fined $4,000 and received a five-year hunting licence suspension.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on September 29, 2023, conservation officers were conducting a remote moose compliance flight into Skinner Lake, north of Pickle Lake. This planned operation was in response to unlawful hunting practices documented in remote outpost camps. The investigation concluded that on September 29, 2023, Zach Droessler and Ben Droessler shot and killed a bull moose from a motorboat.

Further investigation by conservation officers concluded that on September 25, 2023, Gassman and Ben Droessler shot and killed a second bull moose from a motorboat while it was swimming and Gassman did not have a moose licence at the time.

Justice of the Peace Emma Sims heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sioux Lookout, on May 29, 2025.

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Three People Fined For Illegal Deer Hunting Activities

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:41:57 +0000

Three individuals from southern Ontario have been fined a total of $4,500 for the following deer hunting violations:

Zakery Bell of Lakehurst pleaded guilty to hunting deer without a licence, trespassing for the purpose of hunting, unlawfully hunting at night, possessing illegally killed wildlife, unlawfully using another person’s licence and possessing another person’s deer tag while hunting. He was fined $1,500 and is suspended from hunting for five years.

Pierre Stewart of Lakehurst pleaded guilty to trespassing for the purpose of hunting and enabling someone to unlawfully use his licence. He was fined $2,700.

Katrina Bell of Lakehurst pleaded guilty to enabling someone to unlawfully use her licence and failing to notify the ministry about a change of information. She was fined $300 and is suspended from hunting for one year.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on December 15, 2024, a conservation officer investigated a tip complaint regarding trespassing for the purpose of hunting on a rural property in Lakehurst in the Municipality of Trent Lakes. The officer followed a blood trail and human footprints from the rural property to the backyard of an adjacent property where the officer contacted Zakery Bell hunting deer in his backyard.

As a result of an investigation that followed, it was determined that on December 11, 2024, Zakery Bell was hunting deer in his backyard by himself. He had previously used his deer tag and therefore was hunting deer without a licence. He shot and wounded a deer which fled onto a neighbouring rural property. Bell tracked that deer onto the neighbouring property three separate times, with the assistance of Stewart on at least one of those occasions. Neither man had permission from the property owner. Later that night, Bell tracked the deer onto the ice of Buckhorn Lake and shot it in the dark.

After killing the deer, Zakery Bell contacted Stewart again to help him retrieve the deer. While at Zakery Bell’s residence, Stewart gave Bell his deer tag, which he notched and kept. Bell kept the deer until December 15, 2024, when it was inspected by the conservation officer. The officer also determined that Bell had hunted deer by himself on at least two separate occasions using Katrina Bell’s tag after he had already used his own deer tag earlier in the hunting season.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Mumby and Justice of the Peace Joel Kulmatycki heard the cases separately in the Ontario Court of Justice, Peterborough, on May 8, 2025 and September 11, 2025.

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Orillia And Ramara Residents Fined For Engaging In Illegal Moose Hunt

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 18:06:22 +0000

Four individuals from southern Ontario have been fined a total of $10,500 for the following moose hunting violations:

Jason Atherton of St. Catharines pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting a cow moose without a licence and unlawfully using a moose tag issued to someone else. He was fined a total of $4,500 and received a one-year hunting licence suspension.

Jeffery Atherton of Dundas, Joseph Burton of Ramara and Mark Thompson of Orillia each pleaded guilty to unlawfully transporting wildlife. All three individuals were fined $2,000 each.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 23, 2024, conservation officers conducted an inspection at a moose hunting camp on Hadlington Road in Monmouth Township and determined that Jason Atherton had shot an adult cow moose the day before and used another group member’s tag. That group member was not present or actively participating in the hunt on that date and the group failed to meet the proper requirements of party hunting.

Jeffery Atherton, Joseph Burton and Mark Thompson loaded the moose the following morning and transported it to a location in the Hamilton area where they skinned and prepared the moose for butchering. The moose was later seized as part of the investigation.

Justice of the Peace Jack Le Blanc heard the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice, Lindsay, on August 12, 2025.

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Individual From Northern Ontario Fined $1,000 For Hunting Violation

Muskoka411 Staff — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 14:03:44 +0000

An individual from Northern Ontario has been fined a total of $1,000 for the following hunting violation:

Donald Bedard of Terrace Bay pleaded guilty to careless hunting. He was fined $1,000 and received a one-year hunting licence suspension. In addition, Bedard is required to successfully complete both the Ontario Hunter Education Course and the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before applying for or purchasing another hunting licence.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 20, 2024, conservation officers were patrolling north of Terrace Bay when they contacted Bedard. He was observed to be actively hunting grouse with a loaded .410 rifle. During the inspection, officers noted that Bedard had a strong smell of alcohol and had returned to his vehicle. Ontario Provincial Police were contacted by the conservation officers which led to Bedard being arrested and charged with “Operation while impaired” under the Criminal Code of Canada. The ministry subsequently convicted Bedard for careless hunting.

Justice of the Peace J. A. Bernard Caron heard the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on June 11, 2025.

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Two People Fined A Total Of $11,000 For Moose Hunting Violations

Muskoka411 Staff — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:04:17 +0000

Two individuals from Southern Ontario have been fined a total of $11,000 for the following moose hunting violations:

Robert Kerr of Meaford pleaded guilty to using a boat to kill, injure or harass wildlife. He was fined $5,500.

Bryan Loker of Kitchener pleaded guilty to having a loaded firearm in a motorboat and discharging the firearm from the motorboat. He was fined $5,500.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 13, 2024, conservation officers were conducting a moose decoy operation on Lac des Mille Lacs, approximately 120 kilometres west of Thunder Bay, to address ongoing issues with illegal hunting methods including moose being shot from motorboats. Officers observed Kerr operate a motorboat in a manner that purposely positioned the boat in proximity to the moose decoys. Loker then discharged his rifle at the decoys while the boat was underway. Both individuals fled the area and were subsequently arrested by the officers.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Neill heard the case involving Kerr in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on April 3, 2025.

Justice of the Peace Jerry M. Woods Jr. heard the case involving Loker in the Ontario Court of Justice, Thunder Bay, on August 11, 2025.

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Ontario Calls On Hunters To Help Monitor For Chronic Wasting Disease

Muskoka411 Staff — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 16:56:15 +0000

The Ontario government is asking hunters to submit samples from harvested white-tailed deer to the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program. This surveillance is intended to support the province’s efforts to prevent the spread of CWD through ongoing monitoring and early detection.

CWD is a fatal, untreatable brain disease affecting members of the deer family, including white-tailed deer, elk, moose and caribou. CWD has not been found in Ontario wildlife but has been detected in all five U.S. states bordering Ontario, as well as British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Québec.

This year, the ministry will be conducting its annual surveillance in two target regions throughout the hunting season:

Central Ontario (Sharbot Lake to Midland) in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs): 56, 60, 62, 75, 76A, 76B and 76E.
Southwestern Ontario (Windsor to Chatham-Kent) in WMUs: 94A and 94B.

During the fall hunt, ministry wildlife technicians will be canvassing these surveillance areas and asking hunters’ permission to remove a small amount of tissue from deer heads for testing. This sampling will not interfere with hunters processing their harvest, consuming the meat or having the deer head mounted.

All hunters within the surveillance areas are encouraged to take the head of their deer (preferably within a few days of being harvested) to an MNR freezer depot. Depots will be open from early October to mid-December. Hunters submitting a deer head are asked to provide their contact information and the date and general location of harvest. Hunters can find their test results at ontario.ca/CWD.

To report roadkill deer in the surveillance area that may be suitable for testing, call the ministry’s Wildlife Health Information Line at 1-888-574-6656, or email CWD@ontario.ca.

If you see a deer, elk, moose or caribou showing signs of CWD, such as severe loss of body weight, tremors, lack of coordination or unusual behaviour, please report it to one of the following:

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781
The ministry’s Wildlife Health Information Line at 1-888-574-6656
The ministry’s CWD surveillance program at CWD@ontario.ca

To learn more about how you can help keep CWD out of Ontario, please visit ontario.ca/CWD.

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