A turkey hunter seen throwing his gun away while he was under a weapons ban was fined $1,300 in Sarnia court on Monday.

Robert Shawn Domotor, 36, pleaded guilty to the April 25 charge of possessing a gun and storing another gun without a locking device.

Court was told that Ontario Ministry of Natures Resources officers were patrolling St. Clair Township during the opening day of turkey hunting.

Domotor, who had been walking on the road, was seen throwing something as the officers approached. A loaded shotgun was found in the ditch with mud in the barrel.

A check of a database showed that Domotor was under a weapons ban due to a 2006 drug conviction. The conviction resulted from Domotor taking over a marijuana grow operation he had encountered while hunting, the court was told.

Hunting is a passion for Domotor who has a reputation as a good and responsible hunter, said defence lawyer James Guggisberg.

Domotor also had a .22-calibre rifle without a locking device under a seat in a nearby vehicle.

There was a joint submission by Crown and defence lawyers for the $1,300 fine.

A further 10-year weapons ban was imposed.

Domotor has 90 days to find an appropriate person to assume possession of the two guns seized April 25. If no person is found, the guns will be forfeited to the government.

neil.bowen@sunmedia.ca​