Ontario man fined $3,700 for illegal hunting in provincial park

A large bull moose is shown in a marsh in Algonquin Provincial Park on October 5, 2015. (File photo)

A man from Pikwakanagan, Ont., has been fined and handed a hunting suspension after pleading guilty to illegally hunting moose and deer in Algonquin Provincial Park.

Scott Nerlich was fined $3,700 and prohibited from hunting for two years after admitting to unlawfully harvesting wildlife during the closed season. The charges stemmed from an October 12, 2024, incident when a conservation officer stopped Nerlich’s vehicle during routine inspections in the park.

“Through the inspection, it was determined that Nerlich was hunting moose and deer without a licence, during the closed season and while trespassing in Algonquin Provincial Park,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a court bulletin Friday.

The case was heard by Justice of the Peace Harley D’Août Gervais in Pembroke on April 14, 2025.

Province stresses protection of wildlife

The Ontario government emphasized its commitment to enforcing hunting regulations to conserve vulnerable species.

“The Ontario government is safeguarding moose and deer populations by ensuring hunters do not hunt in provincial parks during the closed season,” the ministry said in the bulletin.

Conservation authorities indicated that this case serves as a reminder that hunting in provincial parks without proper authorization is prohibited.

The same day, the ministry also released another court bulletin detailing another man being fined for letting his dogs loose in a protected wildlife area.

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.