
Fined $1,500 for Illegal Night Hunting Activities
An Ohsweken man has been fined $1,500 for night hunting related offences.
Eugene Patrick Johns was convicted and fined $1,000 for hunting at night and $500 for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Court heard that on November 18, 2011, Johns was stopped in the evening by a conservation officer on Paddy Greens Road in the former township of Ancaster, in the City of Hamilton. At the time of the stop, Johns was in possession of an unencased, loaded firearm in his motor vehicle. It was determined that he was unlawfully hunting in the area at night.
The case was heard in the Ontario Court of Justice, Hamilton, on September 2, 2014.
Hunters must safely unload and encase firearms in their possession during the period from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise. The only exception is for licensed night raccoon hunters. It is illegal to possess a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle or motorboat. The public is reminded that laws regarding the use of firearms are in place for public protection and safety.
For further information on hunting regulations, please consult the Hunting Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/hunting.
To report a natural resources violation, call the MNR TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).