Two men fined $17,500 for night hunting, firearm violations

MNR conservation officer Ron Arnold talks about two men from Leamington, Ont., being fined for night hunting and other violations in northern Ontario.

Two Leamington men have been fined a combined $17,500 and handed two-year hunting suspensions after pleading guilty to multiple hunting violations in northern Ontario – including firing at a decoy before legal hunting hours.

Armenio Ferreira pleaded guilty to hunting at night, careless hunting, possessing a loaded firearm in a vehicle, and hunting big game without a licence. He was fined $10,000. Michael Cabral pleaded guilty to night hunting and careless hunting, receiving a $7,500 fine.

According to a court bulletin posted Friday, both men also received a two-year hunting suspension and must complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course before reapplying for a hunting licence.

The charges stem from an October 16, 2022, deer decoy operation on Tri Lake Road near Nestor Falls.

Conservation officers reported that roughly 30 minutes before legal hunting time, a vehicle approached the decoy, illuminated it with headlights, and both men fired seven rifle shots at it. Ferreira later placed his loaded firearm back in the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed Ferreira had improperly tagged an antlerless deer harvested in 2021 in the area.

Justice of the Peace Daphne Armstrong presided over the case in Kenora on Jan. 15 of this year.

The Ontario government said the penalties reinforce its commitment to “safeguarding people from unsafe hunting practices by ensuring compliance with road and night hunting regulations.”

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