Three Muskoka residents have been fined a total of $4,250 for deer hunting violations that occurred in October 2024.
Caleb Stoneman of Bracebridge pleaded guilty to hunting big game without a licence. He was fined $2,500 and received a one-year hunting suspension.
Paige Douglas of Bracebridge pleaded guilty to unlawfully using another person’s licence. She was fined $750.
Mitchell Shea of Utterson pleaded guilty to unlawfully invalidating a tag with respect to an animal killed by another person. He was fined $1,000.
The Ontario Court of Justice heard that on October 15, 2024, near Utterson, Ontario, Stoneman shot a deer with a crossbow. He then used his cellphone to purchase a deer hunting licence in an attempt to legitimize the hunt. The tag that should have been printed when the licence was purchased was not, and the deer was removed from the property.
The court also heard that on November 4, 2024, Douglas was hunting on the same property with the deer tag that was issued to Stoneman in her possession. Stoneman was not present during this hunt, where Douglas observed and shot a deer. The deer tag was produced and given to Shea, who unlawfully invalidated this tag on Douglas’s behalf. A crossbow and rifle were seized as a result of the investigation.
Justice of the Peace Cheryl B. McLean heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Bracebridge, on June 4, 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.
From the Ministry of Natural Resources
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This fine is not even a slap on the hand. Killing with a crossbow is disgusting. Someone with no integrity towards animals and the law should receive severe penalties. This doesn’t scratch the surface.