Ontario Protecting Deer Populations

The Ontario government is safeguarding deer populations by ensuring farmers and other individuals follow the conditions of their deer removal authorization.

A deer removal authorization permits farmers and their agents to carry out deer removal activities, subject to the conditions on the authorization. The authorization is not intended to provide for recreational out-of-season hunting nor for personal gain.

Frederick Hansma of Renfrew pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the conditions of a deer removal authorization and to unlawfully making a false statement to a conservation officer. He was fined $600 per offence, for a total fine of $1,200.

Adam Wright of Greater Madawaska pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the conditions of a deer removal authorization and to unlawfully making a false statement to a conservation officer. He was fined $600 per offence, for a total fine of $1,200.

The court heard that on November 23, 2024, Wright harvested a deer under a deer removal authorization which was issued to Hansma for his apple orchard. On November 26, 2024, a conservation officer conducted an inspection at Hansma’s property, where they discovered that a deer had been harvested under the authorization. The deer had not been reported to the Ministry of Natural Resources or properly tagged. In addition, Hansma failed to meet several year-end reporting requirements under the authorization.

During the investigation, Hansma and Wright were found to have provided misleading and false information to conservation officers.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer L. Grant heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Pembroke, on April 28, 2025.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll free at 1-877-847-7667. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, please visit ontario.ca/mnrtips.