Illegal hunting in Pickering fires up resident
December 12, 2009
By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- A councillor and a wildlife expert are fed up with the illegal hunting and poaching in Pickering.

Toronto resident Andy McKinnon makes it almost a daily routine to visit local parks and see if he can catch illegal hunters in the act. Although he regularly patrols Rouge Park, which borders Pickering, he also visits Pickering's forests and trails, where he's long seen evidence of illegal hunting. When he spots an illegal hunter -- someone hunting on prohibited property, during prohibited times, and using illegal equipment, for example -- he calls the Ministry of Natural Resources and reports licence plate numbers.

Mr. McKinnon was glad to report he hadn't seen any illegal hunting in five days when he and Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell met the News Advertiser. The interview took place at a cemetery in Whitevale since Mr. McKinnon had spotted ladders with platforms attached to a tree in close proximity to the cemetery, a public place, for hunting purposes. It was still there at the time of the interview.

"It's shocking how close to home it's getting and there's just no enforcement," Coun. O'Connell said.

She fears for residents and visitors who frequent hiking trails and parks in Pickering.

"More and more, I'm getting more calls of hunting in more urban areas," she said.

She even received a call recently from a Scarborough resident who was enjoying a trail around Concession 3 with her children and was asked to leave by hunters so the family wouldn't get hurt.

MNR dictates when, where, what and how many animals can be hunted, and distributes tags and licences. Jolanta Kowalski, MNR spokeswoman, said in an e-mail hunting is generally allowed in areas where there is an open season and
where the landowner has granted permission. Municipal bylaws can control the equipment that can be used, she said.

Ms. Kowalski said the maximum penalty for illegal hunting is $25,000 and/or one year in jail. Most tickets for minor offences average between $200 and $300 and equipment used to commit an offence can be seized.

Pickering has banned gun hunting in the municipality, including Whitevale, with a few exceptions.

While crossbows used to be a loophole, Kim Thompson, Pickering's bylaw manager, said although they are not specifically banned in Pickering's firearms bylaw (which dates back to 1975), the City tells anyone who inquires that crossbows are considered firearms.

A new bylaw expected to reach council in January will prohibit firearms completely in Pickering and will restrict the use of crossbows to north of Concession 7 only.

But Coun. O'Connell feels enforcement is a huge issue the City faces and will continue to face. "It's not the easiest to enforce; it's not our area of expertise," she said.

Ms. Kowalski said the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act is primarily enforced by nine MNR conservation officers out of Aurora, and police can enforce it as well. But MNR cannot be everywhere at all times, she said, and responses to reported
offences and enforcement are based upon risk factors.

"Those activities that have the potential to cause the greatest harm to natural resources and public safety receive priority attention," she said.

Mr. McKinnon has been fighting the issue for years but feels his calls to MNR are fruitless, as he hasn't seen an improvement in its enforcement.

"I'm more than frustrated," he said, adding he's also seen graphic evidence of the mistreatment of animals, such as them being used as target practice, which he's reported.

Coun. O'Connell brought a motion to council in April, which was unanimously passed, and sent to Minister of Natural Resources Donna Cansfield, asking for a protocol for enhanced enforcement. But she hasn't heard back.

For hunting regulations and guidelines:
VISIT: www.cityofpickering.com and www.mnr.gov.on.ca