Tricked into shooting at a decoy deer has proved costly to a Hearst man.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry says shooting from or down a road is both dangerous and illegal.
But that's what happened last October.
On September 30, 2020, court heard that on October 29, 2019, conservation officers were conducting a white-tailed deer decoy operation near the town of Nestor Falls, and had placed a deer decoy on a commonly used forestry road.
Officers watched a man open his vehicle door, and while standing in the vehicle, shoot at the deer decoy.
An investigation resulted in Christian Couture from Hearst, pleading guilty to careless use of a firearm and discharge from a vehicle. He received a $6,000 fine and a six-year hunting licence suspension.
He will also have to successfully complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course before being able to purchase another hunting licence.
Justice of the Peace Clysdale-Cornell heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Kenora.
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