Ottawa-Area Hunters Face Significant Penalties for Illegal Moose Hunt
Two men from the Ottawa region have been handed substantial fines and hunting licence suspensions after pleading guilty to multiple violations during an illegal moose hunt at the protected Mer Bleue Bog conservation area in eastern Ottawa.
Substantial Financial Penalties and Licence Suspensions
Luc Dupuis of Rockland received the most severe penalty, facing a $7,500 fine after pleading guilty to hunting moose without a valid licence and possessing another person's hunting tag during the illegal activity. His hunting companion, Fernand Cléroux of Orléans, was fined $1,450 and ordered to complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course as part of his sentence.
Both men had their hunting licences suspended for one year following the convictions, which were heard by a justice of the peace for the Ontario Court of Justice on April 24, 2025.
Conservation Officers Discover Illegal Hunting Operation
The violations occurred on October 8, 2024, when conservation officers patrolling on all-terrain vehicles near Milton Road discovered the two hunters at Mer Bleue Bog. This area is National Capital Commission property where hunting activities are strictly prohibited.
According to a February 6 news release from Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources, officers located a hunting blind, bait site, and a bull moose that had been shot by Dupuis earlier that morning. The investigation revealed that Cléroux had been hunting on nearby private property without obtaining the required landowner consent.
Additional Charges and Consequences
Cléroux faced additional charges for using a firearm carelessly while hunting and handling a firearm without due care and attention. The bull moose taken during the illegal hunt was seized by authorities and subsequently donated.
The Mer Bleue Bog conservation area represents one of the most significant protected wetlands in eastern Ontario, making the illegal hunting activity particularly concerning for conservation officials. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by enforcement agencies in protecting sensitive ecological areas from unauthorized activities.
Ontario's hunting regulations are designed to ensure sustainable wildlife management and protect both species populations and sensitive habitats. The substantial penalties in this case demonstrate the serious consequences hunters face when violating these important conservation laws.
