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The Ministry of Natural Resources is taking action to protect moose and walleye populations by enforcing rules around licensing and fishing quotas. Randy Gerritsen of Waterdown pleaded guilty to obstruction of a conservation officer, possessing unidentifiable skinned fish, and exceeding his walleye limit. He was fined $7,550. Harry Gerritsen of Caledonia pleaded guilty to hunting moose without a license, possessing unidentifiable skinned fish, and exceeding his walleye limit. He was fined $6,550.
Wayne Pottle of Biarcliffe, Texas, was convicted of possessing unidentifiable skinned fish and hunting without a license on his person. He was fined $1,500. Jeffrey Reagan of Combermere was convicted of exceeding his walleye limit and fined $2,600.
On September 30, 2021, conservation officers conducted inspections during remote aerial patrols north of Geraldton and landed at Kellow Lake. The officers encountered Pottle and Reagan, as well as the Gerritsens. Pottle admitted to hunting bear without a bear tag, while Harry Gerritsen was hunting moose without a license. Randy Gerritsen obstructed officers by refusing to provide legally required information.
DNA testing and investigation found Harry Gerritsen possessed 11 walleyes over his limit, Randy Gerritsen had 11 walleyes over his limit, and Jeffrey Reagan had 13 walleyes over his limit.
Justice of the Peace Nancy Tulloch heard the Gerritsen case remotely in the Ontario Court of Justice in Geraldton on January 10, 2024, while Justice of the Peace Tobey Meyers heard the Reagan and Pottle cases remotely in the same court on February 27, 2024.
To report natural resource issues or provide tips about unsolved cases, the public can call the ministry’s TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information on unsolved cases, visit ontario.ca/mnrftips.
(Written by: Emma Butler)