Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers will be increasing their enforcement efforts during the deer hunt in areas of northeastern Ontario where the regular gun season opens on November 5, 2012. The enforcement blitz runs from November 5 to 9, 2012.
The northeast region extends from Hudson Bay and James Bay in the north to the French and Mattawa rivers in the south, and from the Ontario-Quebec border in the east to Lake Superior and the Manitouwadge area in the west.
Conservation officers will pay special attention to people who do not follow the laws regarding safe handling of firearms, and those who trespass to hunt. While the majority of hunters follow the rules, every year conservation officers receive complaints about illegal activity, such as people shooting across roads or illegally entering private land. People who fail to follow hunting laws will be subject to penalties such as fines or seizure of equipment. In more serious cases, offenders could face fines of up to $25,000, or imprisonment, or both.
To ensure a safe and lawful hunt, hunters should know that:
▪ All persons in possession of a firearm for the purpose of hunting must not handle or discharge it or cause it to be handled or discharged without due care for people or property.
▪ Any hunting injury caused by the discharge of a firearm resulting in medical treatment by a physician must be reported to a conservation officer.
▪ It is illegal to shoot in or across a public road.
▪ All hunters must wear solid hunter orange clothing (a minimum of 400 square inches or 2,580 square centimetres) and a hunter orange head cover, except during a “bows-only” season.
▪ Entering property or engaging in activity on property where notice has been given that entry or activity is not allowed is trespassing. Always ask for permission and obey signs, and be aware that private property does not necessarily have to be posted for access to be denied.
For information on hunting regulations and deer seasons, please consult the 2012-2013 Hunting Regulations Summary, available from licence issuers, ServiceOntario/Government Information Centres and at ontario.ca/hunting.
To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (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).
