it's very much about $$$$$. Any doubt about that suggests you're naive!
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Sorry. You're right. It would be a civil matter if that occurred.
Something seems odd here.
Another hunter calls MNR because your deer died on neighbors property?
First of all only the landowner can have you charged for trespassing and not anyone else.
The first thing law enforcement ask when you report a trespasser is if you own the land. If you say no then they will not investigate.
I'm not even sure if you do get charged with trespassing that they can confiscate the deer.
Also the hunter that called MNR, how does he know you shot a deer?
Sounds like there is more to this story.
Maybe the other hunter reported the deer being shot with a gun and not a bow hence all the investigating.
If what you are saying is true then you do not have anything to worry about.
If you're not doing anything wrong I've found most JP's are pretty good at sorting things out. I see why wardens and officers hesitate to bring charges forward that aren't iron clad. I think you'll find the JP pretty understanding if he smells an underhanded reason for the charge ie. an envious hunter trying to run you out. I'd be surprised if they lay a charge. I think they're giving you time to think about it and that's half the penalty. Get a lawyer if it's anything serious.
I agree with some others on this. Something seems a little off. Personal vendetta, jealousy,anti hunter??? Not sure what's going on here but good luck.
So last night my neighbour's son was kicking a soccer ball around really close to my yard. At one point the ball ended up on my front lawn and he came over to get it without asking me. I called the police and 3 cars showed up and he is being charged with trespassing. Sounds reasonable right?
I think people are wound a little too tightly these days...
I would be working on trying to have the Rat charged with lying to a CO (Offence). That's your claim. The CO showed up based on something.
You must be treated fairly in the eyes of a JP and you only have to poke holes in the CO's wannabe facts.
An example, if your story is accurate, would be that blood is not the indicator of where an animal is hit geographically. Only hair will be the indicator. Hair 1st , blood 2nd. If they only have blood, then they have nothing. Any competent investigator would/should know that.
As Rick iles mentioned earlier, gather as much information as you can, even about what it's costed you to date to put that deer on the pole. Also any information related to the Rat as to why he's been a d..k as you have said, etc. If you haven't been charged yet, call your MPP, call your MP, Go over the CO's head. Demand your deer back, make a fuss. Squeaky wheel gets the grease my friend. Don't stop until you hit a sympathetic ear.