Two Ont. Hunters Fined $16K for Illegal Moose Shooting

BREAKING: Two men from Thunder Bay, Ontario, have been fined a total of $16,000 and have received immediate two-year hunting suspensions for illegal moose hunting activities. This urgent update comes following their guilty pleas to serious charges stemming from an incident last fall.

On November 1, 2024, Norman Bernauer and Leonard Oinonen unlawfully shot a calf moose and injured a cow moose during their hunting excursion. The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) revealed that the men recklessly discharged firearms across a roadway, a violation of hunting regulations, which ultimately led to the abandonment of the injured cow moose.

Authorities were alerted on November 3, 2024, when a report of a spoiled cow moose was filed in a forestry cut area near East Arrow Lake Road. Conservation officers, accompanied by a canine unit, responded quickly and uncovered the details of the incident, confirming the illegal actions of the hunters.

The MNR emphasized the importance of safe and responsible hunting practices. “The Ontario government is safeguarding moose populations by ensuring hunters are harvesting in a safe manner and hunting with required licenses,” an official bulletin stated.

Justice of the Peace Jerry M. Woods Jr. presided over the case, delivering the verdict in a Thunder Bay courtroom on May 7, 2025. The significant penalties reflect the seriousness of the offenses and aim to deter similar violations in the future.

This case underscores the critical need for adherence to wildlife conservation laws, as illegal hunting poses risks not only to animal populations but also to public safety. With these penalties now in effect, both men are barred from hunting, highlighting the province’s commitment to protecting its natural resources.

Stay tuned for further updates on wildlife conservation enforcement and hunting regulations in Ontario. For more information or to report a natural resource violation, contact the MNR TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously.