Ontario hunter fined for shooting deer and using someone’s tag

Ontario conservation officer Ron Arnold summarizes a case where a Massey man was fined for hunting deer without a licence and using another person's tag.

A man from Massey, Ont., has been fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to deer hunting violations stemming from an incident last fall.

Clear violation

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on Nov. 5, 2025, Timothy Martin was hunting for deer near the Town of Massey.

“Martin shot an antlerless deer but was only licenced to hunt antlered deer,” the Ministry of Natural Resources said in a recent court bulletin.

“Martin then invalidated the antlerless deer tag of another person who was not actively participating in the hunt.”

The MNR said the deer was seized as a result of the investigation.

Ministry issues reminder to hunters

Conservation officer Ron Arnold highlighted the case in a social media video accompanying the bulletin. The MNR has used the incident to remind hunters of the rules governing deer tags as the fall hunting season approaches.

“You are only allowed to hunt for the listed game identified on your tag,” Arnold said.

Arnold also explained the limited circumstances in which a hunter may use another person’s tag.

“The only exemption to this rule is if two or more people agree to hunt together at the same time to fill their tags,” he said.

“That is called party hunting.”

According to the ministry, hunters are taught these rules when they complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course, which must be done before being able to purchase or apply for tags to hunt in Ontario.

Arnold said the tags serve a broader purpose in wildlife management, keeping the province’s wildlife populations healthy and sustainable. He added that violations, such as this one, are avoidable.

Court proceedings

Justice of the Peace Erin Olesen-Schinke heard the case in Espanola on Feb. 12, 2026.

Martin pleaded guilty to hunting deer without a licence and using another person’s deer tag, for which he was issued a $2,000 fine.

To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.

For more information about unsolved cases, click here.