Man facing hunting violation fines in Dorchester incident

Source: Ministry of Natural Resources.

A Scarborough man is facing charges after they pled guilty to unlawfully hunting game reptile without a license.

The incident took place from July 15, 2023, to Aug. 5, 2023, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. Multiple snapping turtles were reportedly found attached to lines at the Dorchester Mill Pond Conservation Area.

On Aug. 4, 2023, a conservation officer said the man was in possession of equipment to hunt turtles. A tote was seized, the ministry said, and samples confirmed it had snapping turtle DNA.

During the hearing, an expert said the hunting practices and equipment used by the man were consistent with hunting snapping turtles. They are considered game reptiles, but there is no open season or valid hunting license for them in Ontario, making it illegal to hunt them.

He was fined $4,000 and got a court order to forfeit all items seized during the investigation.