Poachers Pay the Price: Ontario Trio Hit with $20K Fines and Lengthy Hunting Bans

It's a stark, almost cautionary tale for anyone venturing into Ontario's beautiful, wildlife-rich north: ignore the rules of ethical hunting, and the consequences can be incredibly severe. That's precisely the lesson three individuals from Southern Ontario learned the hard way in a Chapleau courtroom recently, as they faced the music for a string of moose hunting violations.

The story unfolds back in the autumn of 2021, a time when the crisp air of Northern Ontario usually signals the start of a lawful hunting season. Instead, for Michael Demaiter, his son Kyle Demaiter, and Brittany Hunter, their expedition near Chapleau turned into a tangle of illegal activities that ultimately cost them dearly. What started as, one assumes, a hopeful hunting trip quickly devolved into a series of missteps and outright disregard for provincial wildlife regulations.

Among the key infractions, and there were several, was the misuse of a bull moose tag to take down an antlerless moose. It's a clear violation, a fundamental rule of species management. And as if that wasn't enough, Kyle Demaiter then proceeded to shoot yet another antlerless moose, this time without any tag whatsoever. To add insult to injury, a significant portion of the meat from both these animals was, regrettably, left to waste – a truly disheartening outcome for any hunter who respects the quarry.

But the list of offenses didn't end there. Brittany Hunter, a participant in the group, was also found to be hunting without the necessary license, a foundational requirement for anyone engaging in the sport. And then, when conservation officers from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) began their investigation, the trio compounded their problems by making false statements, attempting, it seems, to obscure the truth of their actions.

Justice of the Peace Diane P. Martineau, presiding over the Ontario Court of Justice in Chapleau, did not mince words or penalties. The cumulative fines for these extensive violations reached a staggering $20,000. Beyond the financial hit, which is substantial, the individuals also faced significant bans from hunting: Michael Demaiter for a period of seven years, Kyle Demaiter for six years, and Brittany Hunter for five years. And, as is often the case in such serious matters, their firearms were seized. It's quite the collection of repercussions, designed, no doubt, to send a very clear message.

This whole incident serves as a poignant reminder of why these rules exist. They're not arbitrary hoops to jump through; they are crucial components of responsible wildlife management, ensuring the sustainability of moose populations for future generations and upholding the integrity of the hunting community. When regulations are flouted, it undermines not just the law, but the very spirit of conservation.

So, for all hunters, experienced or novice, the lesson here is unmistakable: know the regulations, abide by them, and approach our precious wildlife with the respect and responsibility they deserve. The alternative, as this trio discovered, comes with a very heavy price.