Two Ontario trappers fined $5,700 for unlawful trapping practices

An undated photo of a Ministry of Natural Resources concervation officer vehicle parked on a dirt road in a wooded area. (File photo/Supplied/Ministry of Natural Resources)

Two Ontario trappers have been fined a total of $5,700 following a Ministry of Natural Resources investigation into trapping violations.

Christopher MacLean of Kaministiquia, Ont., pleaded guilty to unlawfully trapping a black bear and unlawfully abandoning a wolf pelt. He was fined $4,500.

Douglas Stefak, also from Kaministiquia, pleaded guilty to unlawfully trapping lynx during the closed season and failing to ensure compliance by a helper trapper. He was fined $1,200.

“In addition, both individuals will proceed with implementing a logbook to track their trapping activities and metal tags will be attached to each of their traps or snares to help prevent unlawful trapping from occurring again,” said the MNR in a recent court bulletin.

Tip launched investigation

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on June 20, 2025, a ministry tip was received regarding a deceased black bear located in the bush off Waverley Road, west of Thunder Bay.

“Conservation officers responded to the tip and located a deceased and decayed adult black bear,” said the MNR.

“The bear had been caught by the neck and did not survive.”

Trapline holder held responsible for helper’s violations

Conservation officers said that as they continued their investigation, they found that the snare was originally set by MacLean for wolves and had not been removed at the end of the trapping season.

“During the investigation, conservation officers also located a snare set by MacLean that had caught a wolf and was subsequently abandoned,” said the MNR.

The court heard that officers also discovered a snare set by Stefak for lynx that was still active during the closed season.

All the snares had been set during the previous 2024 trapping season.

Stefak was the licenced holder of the trapline area and was held responsible for MacLean’s trapping activities as the licenced helper on the trapline.

Justice of the Peace Tobey Meyer heard the case in Thunder Bay on Feb. 4.

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.

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