The Ontario government is safeguarding waterfowl bird populations against unsafe and illegal hunting practices.
Three people have been convicted of bird hunting offences and fined a total of $10,500.
Gregory Adam of Ayr pleaded guilty to hunting migratory birds within 400 metres of where bait had been deposited as well as killing more than the daily bag limit of ducks. He was fined $5,000.
Fletcher Adam of Ayr pleaded guilty to hunting migratory birds within 400 metres of where bait had been deposited. He was fined $3,000.
Garreth Morgan of Paris, Ontario pleaded guilty to hunting migratory birds within 400 metres of where bait had been deposited. He was fined $2,500.
All three individuals are prohibited from applying for a migratory game bird hunting permit for a period of one year.
The court heard that on September 19, 2024, conservation officers were conducting inspections in the area of Wrigley Road in the Region of Waterloo. The conservation officers located submerged oats in a small pond. The officers returned to the area on the morning of September 28, 2024 and contacted Adam, Adam and Morgan at an adjacent pond. The investigation determined that the individuals were hunting ducks where oats had been submerged. Further investigation also determined that Gregory Adam had harvested more ducks than allowed by his daily bag limit. Ducks were seized and forfeited to the crown.
Justice of the Peace Trudy B. Mauth heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kitchener, on February 24, 2025.
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. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrtips.
