Almost $17K in fines for illegal hunting, fishing in northern Ont.
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.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Duchene scores winner in 2nd OT, Stars reach conference final with 2-1 win over Avs
Matt Duchene scored at 11:42 of the second overtime after being involved in a play that led to a goal disallowed for goaltender interference in the first extra period, and the Dallas Stars advanced to the Western Conference final with a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 on Friday night.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Jesus is their saviour, Trump is their candidate. Ex-president's backers say he shares faith, values
As Donald Trump increasingly infuses his campaign with Christian trappings while coasting to a third Republican presidential nomination, his support is as strong as ever among evangelicals and other conservative Christians.
Feds refuse Toronto's request to decriminalize simple drug possession
The federal government has denied Toronto's request to decriminalize simple possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use.
Yemen's Houthi rebels launch a missile that strikes an oil tanker in the Red Sea, U.S. military says
Yemen's Houthi rebels hit an oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile early Saturday, damaging the Panama-flagged, Greek-owned vessel in their latest assault over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, officials said.
Alberta Medical Association sounds alarm over lack of available oncologists
The Alberta Medical Association is expressing deep concerns to the provincial government over a lack of oncologists needed to provide cancer care to keep up with population growth.