Individual Fined for Unlawful Deer Hunt on Trespassed Property

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An individual from Southern Ontario has been fined $5,000 for the following deer hunting violations:

Katy-Lynn Meloche of Haliburton pleaded guilty to trespassing for the purpose of hunting, unlawfully possessing a firearm at night, using a firearm carelessly to hunt and possessing illegally killed wildlife. She was fined $5,000 and is prohibited from possessing an Ontario hunting licence and engaging in any hunting activities in the province for four years. She must also successfully retake the Ontario Hunter Education Course before applying for a hunting licence.

The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on November 13, 2024, conservation officers responded to a public complaint of trespassing for the purpose of hunting a deer at night after a blood trail and a crossbow bolt were discovered in the complainant's backyard within the Village of Haliburton.

An investigation determined Meloche shot at an antlered deer twice with a crossbow on November 12, 2024. The deer was wounded after the initial shot and Meloche tracked the deer to neighbouring property, taking a second shot at the deer after legal hunting hours. The bolt from the second shot was recovered stuck in the ground within close proximity to a home. It was found Meloche discharged the crossbow without reasonable consideration for people or property.

The wounded deer continued to travel through multiple properties within the Village of Haliburton before expiring. The deer was recovered on the morning of November 13 and unlawfully possessed by Meloche. Permission to recover the deer was not granted from all property owners where Meloche had tracked the deer.

Justice of the Peace Jennifer A. Mumby heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Lindsay, on December 17, 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.

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