With fall hunting season already underway in many parts of the province -and deer season beginning in southern Ontario Monday -Ontario Power Generation is cautioning hunters to stay off their properties for safety reasons.
According to OPG, trespassers have ignored barriers and signs and entered Aguasabon and Hayes Lake facilities near Thunder Bay.
"People who do so are putting themselves and OPG staff at risk," said John Murphy, executive vice-president hydro.
"We have employees working at our stations -they aren't expecting hunting to take place on our sites and we're very concerned for their safety."
Water levels near hydro facilities can change quickly and dramatically as well, the OPG warns.
OPG spokesman Ted Gruetzner said the utility has about 69 dams across the province, many of them surrounded by significant acreage and trees.
Hunters may not expect anyone to be on the property, and workers don't expect trespassers to be firing rifles around them, he said.
"The combination doesn't add up to a very happy ending," Gruetzner added.
Dan Smith, manager of provincial enforcement compliance for the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, said hunters are generally allowed to use crown land or private property, if the landowner has granted permission.
"If they're caught trespassing, and the landlord doesn't want them there or he's posted the property, they can be subject to charges under our official wildlife statute or under the Trespass To Property Act," Smith said