Canada: Muskoka man fined for illegal wild turkey hunting

https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/muskoka-man-fined-for-illegal-wild-turkey-hunting/

10/19/2025

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) reported on Friday that a Bracebridge man was fined $3,400 for multiple wild turkey hunting violations that date back to 2021.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on April 18 of that year, the Bracebridge man posted photos on social media of turkeys under a feeder and a reference of the feeder being near his home.

The Court heard that the post came to the attention of a conservation officer, who found the Bracebridge man’s home and found that he was a licenced hunter with a turkey hunting licence for that season.

Then several days later on April 25 – opening day for turkey season – the conservation officer waited in the area behind the man’s home to monitor possible hunting, where he saw him leave his home with an un-encased shotgun before entering a shed in his backyard.

The MNR says the officer then contacted the man, who was in possession of a loaded crossbow and shotgun loaded with four rounds, violating regulations. The MNR adds that the man was also facing an open window where there was a large pile of corn bait on the ground and a trail camera facing the pile.

Further investigation claimed that the man was not carrying any of his hunting licences or required documents while hunting with a gun.

His gun and crossbow were then seized.

As a result of the investigation and after several court appearances between 2023 and 2024, the man was convicted of the following violations:

Hunting wild turkey within 400 metres of bait.
Possessing a loaded and un-encased firearm at night.
Failing to carry documentation while possessing a gun.
Hunting without having a licence on his person.
Hunting with a shotgun that was not permanently plugged.
He was fined $3,400 by the MNR and will not be allowed to possess an Ontario hunting licence or engage in any hunting activities for one year.