Illegal Possession of Wildlife That Has Been Killed, Injured or Captured

Question: What penalties could I face in Ontario for possessing wildlife that was illegally killed, injured, or captured?

Answer: In Ontario, a conviction for possessing wildlife that was illegally killed, injured, or captured can involve fines, possible jail time, and forfeiture such as the wildlife itself, related equipment, and licence suspensions under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, SO 1997, c 41, s 12; contact DefendCharges.ca (Paralegal) at (647) 559-3377 to review your charge, protect your rights, and pursue the best resolution available across Ontario.  Acting quickly can help preserve evidence, avoid procedural delays, and reduce the risk of tougher outcomes.

What are the penalties applicable to a conviction for possession of illegally killed, injured or captured wildlife?

The breaking of the Act may result in severe financial penalties, potential jail time, the removal of any wildlife obtained illegally, the confiscation of any tools used in the offence, and the revocation of any hunting, trapping or fishing permits.

Understanding Possession of Illegally Killed, Injured or Captured Wildlife

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, SO 1997, c 41 prohibits the possession of wildlife that has been killed, injured or captured contrary to the Act. This offence is taken very seriously and there are significant penalties for those who are convicted. Under Section 12 of the FWCA, it is an offence to possess wildlife that has been killed, injured or captured contrary to the Act.

The Law

The offence of possess illegally killed, injured or captured wildlife is prescribed within Section 12 of the FWCA,  wherein it is stated:

Potential Penalties

This offence carries a maximum fine of $25,000 and/or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years. The offence of possessing wildlife that has been killed, injured or captured contrary to the Act is a serious one. Those who are convicted of this offence will face significant penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment. In addition to the fines and possible imprisonment, those who are convicted of this offence may also face other penalties. These can include the forfeiture of any wildlife that was taken contrary to the Act, the forfeiture of any equipment used in the offence, and the suspension of any hunting, trapping or fishing licence.

Summary Comment

The offence of possessing wildlife that has been killed, injured or captured contrary to the FWCA is a serious one and those who are convicted of this offence will face significant penalties. It is important for those who hunt, trap or fish to be aware of the laws and regulations that govern these activities in order to ensure that they are not breaking the law.