Almost $17K in fines for illegal hunting, fishing in northern Ont.

Convictions include overfishing walleye and hunting moose without a licence. (File)

Three men from southern Ontario and a man from Texas have been fined a total of $16,700 for illegal hunting and fishing in September 2021.

The group was in an area north of Geraldton in northwestern Ontario. A news release Friday from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said the group was caught thanks to air patrols by conservation officers.

On Sept. 30, 2021, conservation officers landed at Kellow Lake, a remote area north of Geraldton, and questioned the group.

Wayne Pottle of Biarcliffe, Tex., told the officers he was hunting bear but did not have a bear tag with him.

Harry Gerritsen of Caledonia told them he was hunting moose but did not have a moose licence. Randy Gerritsen of Waterdown “refused to provide relevant information that he was legally required to provide to conservation officers, obstructing them from conducting their inspection,” the news release said.

“The investigation and DNA testing revealed Harry Gerritsen possessed 11 walleye over his limit, Randy Gerritsen possessed 11 walleye over his limit and Jeffrey Reagan possessed 13 walleye over his limit.”

Reagan of Combermere was convicted of possessing over his limit of walleye and was fined $2,600.

Randy Gerritsen pleaded guilty to obstruction of a conservation officer, possessing fish that have been skinned so the species is not identifiable and possessing over his limit of walleye. He was fined a total of $7,550.

Harry Gerritsen pleaded guilty to hunting moose without a licence, possessing fish that have been skinned so the species is not identifiable and possessing over his limit of walleye. He was fined a total of $6,550.

And Pottle was convicted of possessing fish that have been skinned so the species is not identifiable and for hunting without a licence on his person. He was fined a total of $1,500.

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Jeffrey Justice of the Peace Nancy Tulloch heard the Gerritsen portion of the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice, Geraldton, on Jan. 10. Justice of the Peace Tobey Meyers heard the Reagan and Pottle portion of the case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice in Geraldton on Feb. 27.

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.

To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please click here.