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 provincial wildlife officers are closely watching hunting activities to protect wildlife and ensure hunters are following laws. Penalties like these remind everyone that hunting requires proper licences, safety precautions, and respect for the rules.
Individuals Fined for Unsafe and Illegal Moose Hunting
Two individuals from Northeastern Ontario have been fined a total of $11,300 for the following moose hunting violations:
Kareem Nicolas Rayan St-Germain of River Valley was convicted of unlawfully hunting moose without a licence, transporting unlawfully killed wildlife, failing to wear hunter orange, unlawfully possessing body gripping traps and failing to complete mandatory hunter reports. He was fined a total of $11,300 and is suspended from hunting for five years.
Paul Descoteaux of River Valley was convicted of transporting unlawfully killed wildlife. He was fined a total of $2,500.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 27, 2022, St-Germain and Descoteaux participated in a moose hunt on Lynn Creek Road in McWilliams Township where St-Germain shot and killed a cow moose. St-Germain was only licenced to hunt bear at the time and did not have a licence to hunt moose. In addition, St-Germain was not wearing hunter orange as required during the open gun season for big game. After killing the moose, St-Germain and Descoteaux retrieved All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and a trailer which they used to transport the cow moose back to River Valley.
One week later, on November 2, 2022, St-Germain was stopped by an Ontario Provincial Police officer while operating an ATV and was found to be in possession of multiple body gripping traps, known as conibears. This information was shared with conservation officers who determined that St-Germain was not a licenced trapper authorized to possess body gripping traps and had never possessed a valid trapping licence.
Justice of the Peace Madeleine Paul heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Sturgeon Falls, on July 10, 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.
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