Two hunters from Vermont are facing nearly $20,000 in fines and 10 years of hunting license suspensions after a major hunting violation in 2019.

Conservation Officers with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said they were conducting a deer decoy operation on Cygnet Lake Road, north of Kenora on November 5 of 2019.

Officers say the operation was in response to unsafe hunting practices in the area and the MNRF was conducting traffic control in the area, where the decoy was located down the roadway.

Then, the MNRF says the two hunters stopped and exited their vehicle, and while standing on the roadway, shot at the deer decoy – which is considered unsafe and illegal.

As a result, Russell Miller of Essex Junction, Vermont was convicted of Careless Use of a Firearm and received $9,000 in fines and a five-year hunting licence suspension.

As well, Michael Longe of Milton, Vermont was convicted of Careless Use of a Firearm. He received $8,000 in fines and a five-year hunting licence suspension as well. Both hunters had their firearms forfeited to the crown and they must retake Ontario’s Hunter Education Course.

The MNRF reminds the public that if you have any information about a natural resources violation, you can contact their TIPS line at 1-877-847-7667 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

(With files from Ryan Forbes)