Ontario hunters fined $11K for illegally shooting moose decoys from a boat

Conservation officer Ron Arnold talks about two men fined $11K for illegal moose hunting activities in northwestern Ontario last fall.

Two men from southern Ontario have been fined a total of $11,000 for multiple moose hunting violations after a court heard they shot at a decoy from a motorboat on a northwestern Ontario lake.

Decoy operation sees illegal hunting activities

The incident occurred 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,” said the Ministry of Natural Resources in a recent court bulletin.

The court heard that officers observed Robert Kerr of Meaford, Ont., operate a motorboat in a manner that purposely positioned the boat in proximity to the moose decoys. Bryan Loker of Kitchener, Ont., then discharged his rifle at the decoys while the boat was underway.

“Both individuals fled the area and were subsequently arrested by the officers,” said the ministry.

Kerr pleaded guilty to using a boat to kill, injure or harass wildlife and was fined $5,500 while Loker pleaded guilty to having a loaded firearm in a motorboat and discharging the firearm from the motorboat and was also fined $5,500.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Neill heard the case involving Kerr in a Thunder Bay courtroom on April 3 while Loker’s case was heard by Justice of the Peace Jerry M. Woods Jr. on Aug. 11.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

For more information about unsolved cases, click here.

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