Hunting in Ontario is not illegal, but interfering with a hunt is.

“Hunting is a legal activity and it’s highly regulated, more than a lot of activities, in the province of Ontario and people should be aware of that,” said Russell Brandon. “The reason it’s highly regulated is to make it safe and humane for those animals and I don’t believe that’s always fully understood.”

Brandon, the Aylmer-area enforcement manager for the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) confirmed a financial charge was laid against a Ridgetown resident who interfered with a lawful hunt in October.

Rob Seal and Kyle Dittmer were hunting Oct. 13, south of the Ridgetown lagoon ponds on private property when an irate woman approached them on two separate occasions scaring away a flock of geese working their decoys.

“We shot one or two geese. She didn’t like that. She came flying up honking her horn and started yelling,” said Seal. “She ruined any chance of harvesting the birds. No big deal, she said her piece, whatever. We’re going to let it slide that first time.”

An hour later the woman returned, interrupting the hunt, photographing their vehicle licence plates and grabbing at the cellphone Seal was using to video the incident.

Seal can be heard advising the woman she was trespassing on private property and interfering with a legal hunt and would face charges.

The woman questioned why they felt a need to kill the birds and repeatedly told the men she’d called police to report their activities, which Seal encouraged her to do as well as contacting the MNR.

Seal decided to press charges, not out of spite but in hopes it would help educate the woman about the rights of hunters.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act section 13.1 states a person shall not interfere with lawful hunting, trapping or fishing by tampering with traps, nets, bait, firearms, placing themselves in a position that hinders or prevents trapping, hunting or fishing or engages in any activity for the purpose of interfering, disturbing or is likely to disturb, wildlife or fish. The fines can range from a warning up to $25,000 and a year in jail.

Brandon said hunting is also a resource to provide the MNR with invaluable information regarding number and location of species in Ontario.

“I would recommend that they do not themselves approach the hunter. Because the hunter may be carrying out illegal activity,” said Brandon. “Generally they’re not doing something illegal. Generally it’s misunderstandings.”

If people believe they are witnessing illegal hunts Brandon advises them to not stop the activity and get as much information as possible, relaying it to the MNR tip line at 1-877-847-7667, which is manned 24 hours a day. A conservation officer will then be dispatched to deal with the situation.

Education is the key in these situations, said Brandon.

“Hunting is definitely a tool utilized in the conservation of species in Ontario, of wildlife in Ontario,” he said. “They (hunters) are a wealth of biological knowledge for the Ministry of Resources.”