Here's what happens when you hunt on private property

NEWS RELEASE

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

************************* $7,000 in fines for hunting deer on private property

Two Hearst hunters have been fined a total of $7,000 for trespassing and hunting deer on private land.

Ricky Morrissette, 48, and Gerald Arguin, 60, have both been convicted of trespassing for the purpose of hunting and fined $1,500 and $2,500 respectively.

Both men were also each fined $1,000 for possession of illegally-killed wildlife and $500 for failing to wear hunter orange.

Court heard that on November 6, 2008, Morrissette and Arguin were deer hunting in Sutherland Township, Rainy River District.

Alerted by gunshot, a homeowner watched from the window as the pair, both dressed in camouflage, retrieved a dead deer from a clearing on the private property, clearly marked with a “No Hunting” sign.

They loaded the deer, which Arguin shot on the private property from the road, onto Morrissette’s truck.

The resident reported the incident to the Ministry of Natural Resources TIPS Line and shared with conservation officers photos taken of the hunters, their truck and the deer.

After positively identifying the hunters, search warrants were executed for both men’s homes.

On January 10, 2009, conservation officers discovered 60 packs of deer meat at Morrissette’s home and 54 packs of deer meat at Arguin’s. Arguin’s firearm was forfeited to the Crown and will be returned once all fines are paid.

Justice of the Peace Jean-Marie Blier heard the cases in the Ontario Court of Justice, Hearst, on March 24, 2009.

The accused were originally served summons to appear in the Fort Frances Ontario Court of Justice on February 13, 2009.

To report a natural resource violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your ministry office during regular business hours. 

You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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