Northern Ont. man fined after decoy operation catches him hunting on private property

A truck used by Ministry of Natural resources and Forestry conservation officers is seen in this file photo. (Supplied)

A Thunder Bay man has been fined $2,000 after he was caught in a decoy operation hunting on private land.

Gary Kemp of Thunder Bay pleaded guilty to trespassing while hunting in connection with an incident Nov. 12, 2022.

After receiving reports of someone hunting deer on private land, conservation officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry set up what they call a “a simulated wildlife decoy operation” on private property in Conmee Township.

The operation was “to address ongoing trespassing issues related to deer hunting on private land without landowner consent,” the ministry said in a news release Friday.

“Kemp observed the deer decoy, exited his vehicle and shot onto the private property without landowner consent in violation of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.”

Justice of the Peace Bernard Caron heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Jan. 31.

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, click here.