Solve a natural resource case

Overview

Every year, a number of natural resource violation cases go unsolved. They can be difficult to solve because they happen in remote areas where there are few eyewitnesses.

Our conservation officers make over 170,000 contacts with citizens in the field each year. We rely on tips from the public, physical evidence and community support to help solve these cases.

Common natural resource violations

Common natural resource violations include:

• poaching large and small game
• unlawful night hunting or shooting from a roadway
• fishing or hunting out-of-season
• the illegal sale of species at risk, wildlife or animal parts
• taking more fish or game than allowed
• dumping waste on Crown land
• illegally removing sand, gravel or wood from public lands
• having fires in restricted fire zones or without a permit
• illegal activities in provincial parks and protected areas

Learn how to avoid breaking the law by reviewing the Hunting Regulations, Fishing Regulations, Outdoor fire rules and permits summaries or by visiting the Illegal waste dumping page.

Map of unsolved and solved cases

Our map provides information, including location and descriptions, for seven violation categories including:

You can click on any pin to find detailed information about that specific case, including an occurrence number and summary, the date, and specific location. You can also search the map for a violation by location. Red pins indicate open cases and green pins indicate cases that have been recently closed.

The link to the table below the map lists all the open cases with the same information.

Solved cases

• March 3, 2021
  • Occurrence number: RM20003601
  • Solved: Guilty party identified, charged and convicted
  • Occurrence summary: A black bear was shot and transported to the location of Centennial Drive in Tobermory and dragged into the bush. It is believed the bear was shot sometime between Sunday, August 9^th and Tuesday, August 11^th, 2020. The bear was a large, mature male likely in its breeding prime with green ministry ear tags and no re-offending history.
  • Location summary: East side of Centenial Drive and Dunks Bay Road in the harbour village of Tobermory, Bruce County, West Region.

Recent unsolved cases

• October 8-15, 2021
  • Occurrence number: RM21003557
  • Occurrence summary: Two Bull Moose were shot and left to spoil with no meat harvested. Bullet holes observed in each bull and evidence of two rifle shots recovered at the scene. Each bull was located within 200 yards of each other in the same forestry cut block.
  • Location summary: McCoshen Lake Cuts, West off Kilometer 6 of the Gibson Lake Road. Wildlife Management Unit 29. Macklem Township.
• December 12, 2019
  • Occurrence number: RM19007099
  • Occurrence summary: On December 13, 2019, conservation officers were made aware of a deer that had been shot and retrieved from private property with no permission. The deer was shot on December 12, 2019 around 4:15 pm from Trail Blazers Road, Wilberforce Township in Renfrew County. A dark coloured Sport Utility Vehicle was seen departing the scene quickly. The deer was retrieved later that evening.
  • Location summary: Trail Blazers Road, Wilberforce Township, Renfrew County, Wildlife Management Unit 55-B.
• October 25-31, 2019
  • Occurrence number: RM19006430
  • Occurrence summary: A Cow moose was shot and left at the South end of the Grit Road in WMU 12A south of Ignace. It is believed that the moose was shot sometime between October 26-31/2019.
  • Location summary: Unorganized Area South East of Ignace, vicinity of Grit Road (south end), Wildlife Management Unit 12A.

Report a natural resource violation or submit a tip

Protect our natural resources by helping us close these open cases. If you’ve witnessed a suspected violation or have information about individuals who may have been involved in illegal hunting, fishing, outdoor fires, poaching and dumping, please contact us.

Report any suspected illegal activity you’ve seen against Ontario’s fish and wildlife, species at risk, shore lands, forests, provincial parks and conservation reserves, petroleum, aggregate resources and public lands. Violations of our natural resources can lead to conviction and fines.

When you call the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) tips line at 1-877-847-7667, your call will be recorded and you may be asked to provide:

• the occurrence number, if you are reporting on one of the violations on the map
• your name and contact information
• details about the suspected activity
• vehicle information (e.g. licence plate number, make, model and colour)
• date and time of day
• location (road, lake, street address, landmarks)
• description of any people involved in the incident

Every call to the MNR TIPS line is reviewed by a conservation officer.

To remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

If your call requires action, the ministry will follow up.