MNRWATCH
Keeping Tabs on the Role of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
The MNR&F stands as a bastion of responsibility when it comes to the sustainable management of Ontario’s fish and wildlife resources. Their mission is to ensure that the province’s ecosystems thrive for generations to come, securing the delicate balance between nature and human activity. Beyond wildlife, the MNR&F plays a pivotal role in managing Ontario’s Crown lands, water, oil, gas, salt, and aggregates resources. They are tasked with making Crown land available for renewable energy projects, contributing to the province’s green energy initiatives. The ministry is committed to the responsible stewardship of Ontario’s Crown forests, recognizing their significance not just for timber but as vital components of the province’s ecological health.
During times of crisis, the MNR&F is on the front lines, protecting people, property, and communities from forest fires, floods, and droughts. Their dedicated efforts ensure public safety and minimize damage. In today’s data-driven world, geographic information is a powerful tool. The MNR&F employs it to make informed decisions in managing the province’s natural resources. This approach ensures that their actions are both effective and sustainable.
Stay Informed with Our Updates
As your trusted source for news and insights, we will keep a watchful eye on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. We’ll bring you the latest developments, policies, and initiatives aimed at preserving Ontario’s natural beauty and promoting sustainable practices. Join us as we watch the critical efforts of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Together, we can celebrate the richness of Ontario’s wilderness and work toward a harmonious coexistence with the environment.
Ontario’s New FishHuntON System Will Make Fishing and Hunting Licences Easier
Ontario’s New FishHuntON Licensing Service Will Help Anglers and Hunters Ontario anglers and hunters will soon have a new way to buy, renew, and keep track of licences and tags. The province has announced FishHuntON, a new fishing and hunting licensing system planned...
Business Fined for Attempted Commercial Sale of Muskellunge
A business in Southern Ontario has been fined a total of $2,000 for violating the rules of commercial fish sales: P&T Seafood Limited, based in Newmarket, pleaded guilty to attempting to sell an angler-caught muskellunge and was fined $2,000. The Ontario Court of...
Three Southern Ontario Residents Fined for Illegal Deer Hunting
Three people from the Lakehurst area of southern Ontario have been fined a combined $4,500 after pleading guilty to a series of illegal deer hunting violations. One individual was found to have hunted deer without a licence, trespassed on private land for the purpose...
Ontario Hunters Fined After Unsafe and Illegal Moose Hunt
Two individuals from northeastern Ontario were fined a combined total of $11,300 for violating moose hunting regulations. The offences included unsafe practices and engaging in hunting without following the required provincial rules. The prosecutions show that...
Man Fined $3,400 for Illegal Hunt
Ontario hunter fined $3,400 and banned for one year for illegally harvesting a wild turkey.
Ontario Moose Tag System Changes Coming
The Ontario government is safeguarding Great Lakes muskie from illegal harvest by holding individuals accountable for catching and retaining fish during closed season. Stefan Morin of Mitchell pleaded guilty to catching and retaining a muskie during the closed season....
Ontario Protecting Muskie from Illegal Angling – $1815 in Fines
The Ontario government is safeguarding Great Lakes muskie from illegal harvest by holding individuals accountable for catching and retaining fish during closed season. Stefan Morin of Mitchell pleaded guilty to catching and retaining a muskie during the closed season....
Cow Moose Shot and Abandoned in Eaton Township – Investigation Ongoing
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is asking for the public’s help to identify the individual who shot and killed a cow moose near Chapleau, Ontario. On October 16th, 2024, Conservation Officers were alerted to a cow moose that was shot and abandoned in a cut...
Echo Bay Man Fined $12,000 for Illegal Bull Moose Hunt, Attempted Cover-Up
The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters do not cover up illegal hunting activities. Timothy Junor of Echo Bay pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting a bull moose without a licence and was fined $12,000. On November 3, 2021,...
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Reverts to Original Name Amid Leadership Changes
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) in Ontario has reverted to its former and more familiar name—the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). This change was prompted by adjustments made to the Executive Council of Ontario in June, during which several...
Ontario Cracks Down on Illegal Moose Hunting: Heavy Fines for Hunters Without Proper Tags
The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters only harvest what they have tags to hunt. Louie Frustaglio of North York pleaded guilty to hunting a cow moose without a licence, making a false statement to a conservation officer and...
Five Convicted in Licence Tag Fraud Investigation, Fined $24,500 for Deer Harvest Violations
Five individuals, including Dwayne, Doug, and Darrin Musclow, were convicted and fined $24,500 for licence tag violations involving the over-harvest of white-tailed deer. Offences included using copied tags and hunting without licences, revealed in a recent Ontario court case
Milestone Achievement: CHA Removes 1 Million Invasive Snails from Haliburton Lakes
CHA celebrates removing 1 million invasive snails from Haliburton lakes, boosting lake health with a dedicated volunteer program since 2020.
Illegal Moose Hunt Crackdown: $56,500 in Fines and 27 Years of Hunting Suspensions for Offenders
A major crackdown on illegal moose hunting resulted in $56,500 in fines and 27 years of hunting license suspensions for multiple individuals and one corporation. Offenses included making false statements to conservation officers, hunting without a license, using boats to pursue wildlife, and discharging firearms from motorboats. The investigation, conducted over a year in a remote area north of Kenora, aimed to address ongoing illegal hunting activities. The cases were heard in the Ontario Court of Justice in Kenora throughout 2023 and 2024.
La Sallette Hunter Fined $5,000 for Careless Discharge of Firearm
The Ontario government is safeguarding the public against unsafe and illegal hunting practices. Jeremy Tarcza of La Sallette pleaded guilty to carelessly discharging a firearm while hunting and was fined $5,000 and given a two-year hunting licence suspension. Tarcza...
Illegal Moose Hunting: Three Fined $27,300 and Face 26 Years in License Suspensions
The Ontario government is taking strong measures to protect moose populations. Conservation officers have fined three individuals a total of $27,300 for illegal hunting activities, including hunting without licenses and unsafe firearm practices. The offenders face a combined 26 years in hunting license suspensions.
Hunter Fined $8,000 and Loses Licence for Two Years
The Ontario government is safeguarding the public from unsafe and illegal hunting practices. Ernesto Soares from Etobicoke pleaded guilty to trespassing for the purpose of hunting and discharging a firearm from the roadway. He received $8,000 in fines and a two-year...
Ontario Fines Six Men Over $5,500 for Exceeding Walleye Limits
The Ontario government is ensuring hunter safety while safeguarding walleye populations in remote locations, by ensuring anglers do not exceed their fish possession limits. A group of six men from Eastern Ontario have been fined a total of $5,510 for hunting and...
Ontario Enforces Strict Fishing Regulations: Sault Ste. Marie Man Jailed and Banned Until 2031 for Multiple Violations
The Ontario government is safeguarding fish populations and lakes by ensuring regulations for fishing and disposal of baitfish are followed. Cameron Tucker of Sault Ste. Marie was found guilty and sentenced to 10 days in jail for failing to comply with a court order....
Have your say on dip netting regulations in FMZ 11
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is proposing changes to the dip netting regulations in Fisheries Management Zone (FMZ) 11. To simplify and streamline the dip netting regulations, the ministry is proposing to remove the list of designated waters for dip...
Ontario Fines 20 Defendants $178K, Issues Suspensions in Major Moose-Hunting Violation Crackdown
The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring tourist outfitters and their guests hunt safely and legally. The court fined 20 defendants a total of $178,400 and ordered them to pay $44,525 in surcharges for a variety of moose-hunting violations....
Ontario Cracks Down on Wildlife Violations: Fines Issued for Moose and Walleye Poaching
The Ontario government is safeguarding moose by ensuring the rules around licencing are followed, as well as protecting walleye populations from overfishing by ensuring anglers comply with quotas and packaging laws. Randy Gerritsen of Waterdown pleaded guilty to...
Walleye Woes: Trio Faces Fines and Fishing Bans for Out-of-Season Spearfishing
Three men were fined a total of $7,605 for spearing walleye, obstructing a fisheries officer, abandoning fish, possessing walleye out of season and possessing a spear at night within 30 metres of the water’s edge. Two of the men were also suspended from fishing and...
Feathers and Fury: The Battle to Save Prince Edward’s Barn Swallows
Environmentalists battle to save Barn Swallows’ habitat in Prince Edward, urging halt to demolitions.
Ontario Angler Fined for Walleye Overfishing
The Ontario government is safeguarding walleye fisheries by ensuring fishing rules and limits are followed to maintain sustainable fisheries for future generations to enjoy. Roger St-John of South Woodslee pleaded guilty to catching an over-limit of walleye and...
Hunters Face Legal Consequences for Unsafe Firearm Discharge from Motorboats in Ontario
The Ontario government is safeguarding people against unsafe hunting by ensuring hunters do not discharge firearms from motorboats. F. Evers of Kingsville pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting big game and discharging a firearm from a motorboat and was fined a total of...
Waterford Angler Fined $5,750 for Exceeding Legal Limit
Mr. Pearson of Waterford, pleaded guilty to the possession of 19 walleye over the legal limit and possession of fish packed in a manner that could not easily be counted. He was fined a total of $5,750 and had a one-year fishing licence suspension imposed. The court...
Violations in the Wild: Trio Fined $9,500 for Unlicensed Big Game Hunting and Tagging Misconduct
Three people were fined a total of $9,500 for hunting big game without licences and for tagging violations. Steven (Qing) Mou of Ajax pleaded guilty to hunting big game without a licence, failing to invalidate a tag immediately after killing a deer and failing to keep...
Careless Roadside Hunting: Hunter Fined $7,000 and License Suspended
The Ontario government is safeguarding the public against hunters who carelessly hunt while on a roadway. Remo Iacobelli of Camlachie pleaded guilty to careless use of a firearm while hunting. He received a $7,000 fine, had his hunting licence suspended for two years...
$8,390.00 Fine for nine men Failing to meet tagging requirements while party hunting.
Nine men were fined a total of $8,390 for failing to meet tagging requirements while party hunting during the open moose season in 2022. Daniel Gabcan of Blind River pleaded guilty to failing to invalidate a tag immediately after a harvest, failing to attach an...