Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey in Ontario:

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Last Updated: September 16 2026

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Question:I received a ticket or summons in Ontario for illegal possession of wild turkey, what should I do next?

Answer:DefendCharges.ca™ can help you respond to an Ontario provincial offence charge for illegal possession of wild turkey, including what “possession” means, what the prosecutor must prove (that the turkey or identifiable part came from an unlawful killing, injuring, or capturing), and how to handle your ticket deadline, disclosure, and seizure or forfeiture steps.  Don’t panic or assume guilt just because you received a summons; paying the ticket can be treated as pleading guilty, so review the exact offence wording and section number first.  If your turkey or turkey parts were found in a shared vehicle, camp, home, cooler, or freezer, the evidence still needs to connect you personally to possession and the unlawful source.  Call (647) 559-3377 at DefendCharges.ca™ to discuss your documents with an Ontario paralegal and plan your defence strategy.

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Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey in Ontario

Received a hunting ticket or summons for Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey in Ontario?  You have been charged with a provincial offence, meaning an offence prosecuted under Ontario law.  The principal charge concerns whether you possessed a wild turkey, turkey meat, or another identifiable turkey part after the bird had been killed, injured, or captured contrary to Ontario law.

Note: Please contact DefendCharges.ca™ by phone at: (647) 559-3377 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

Do not panic.  Being charged does not automatically mean you will be convicted.  You do not have to be the person who hunted or killed the turkey for a possession charge to arise, but the evidence must still establish your possession and the unlawful source of the turkey.  Turkey found in a shared vehicle, camp, home, cooler, or freezer does not automatically prove that every person with access possessed it.

This page explains what Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey means, what possession can involve, what the prosecutor must prove, the current fine, evidence that may matter, possible defences and legal issues, seizure and forfeiture, and what may happen next.  This offence is part of Wild Turkey Hunting Charges.

I Received an Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey Ticket or Summons.  What Should I Do?

Read every document carefully and do not miss the response deadline or required court date.  A summons is a court document requiring you to attend court or respond as directed.  Your ticket or summons may use wording such as Possess illegally killed wildlife, Possess illegally injured wildlife, or Possess illegally captured wildlife rather than the public page title used here.

Start with the exact offence wording and section number.  Keep your Outdoors Card, Licence Summary showing the hunting products connected with your account, Small Game Licence information, Wild Turkey Tag, hunter report, photographs, messages, freezer or packaging labels, processor records, receipts, GPS information, and every document provided by the Conservation Officer.  If the turkey came from another person, preserve records showing who provided it, when it was received, and what you were told about its source.

If the turkey, firearm, vehicle, phone, cooler, or other property was taken, keep the seizure notice, inventory, and receipt.  A seizure means property has been taken into official custody.  Do not destroy, relabel, consume, transfer, sell, or dispose of disputed turkey or related records after learning of the investigation unless you receive clear official direction or legal advice.

Should I Pay the Ticket?

Paying the ticket will generally be treated as pleading guilty and will result in a conviction.  A conviction means a finding of guilt.  Before paying, confirm whether your ticket actually alleges possession of illegally killed, injured, or captured wildlife under section 12 or a different turkey possession, tag, or transportation offence.

For a section 12 charge, important questions include whether you possessed the turkey and whether the prosecutor can prove that the particular turkey was killed, injured, or captured contrary to Ontario law.  An inability to immediately produce a tag, receipt, or other source document does not by itself prove those requirements.

What Is Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey?

For the principal section 12 offence, Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey means possessing a wild turkey or an identifiable part of a wild turkey that was killed, injured, or captured contrary to Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or its regulations.

Ontario law treats wild turkey as a game bird, meaning a bird species that Ontario specifically classifies for regulated hunting.  The Act also provides that a reference to an animal includes the animal whether alive or dead and includes the whole animal or any part of it.  Section 12 can therefore apply to a whole turkey, turkey meat, feathers, a beard, legs, spurs, or another identifiable part where the other requirements of the charge are proven.

The underlying unlawful conduct may involve hunting without the required licence or tag authority, hunting during a closed season, taking a turkey contrary to the applicable harvest rules, using a prohibited hunting method, or another violation connected with killing, injuring, or capturing the turkey.  The possession charge is separate from the underlying hunting offence and does not require that you were the hunter who committed it.

Possession of wild turkey is not unlawful simply because the bird is a wild turkey.  The central questions for the section 12 offence are whether you possessed the turkey or turkey part and whether the prosecution can prove that it came from an unlawful killing, injury, or capture.  Other turkey charges are organized within Wild Turkey Hunting Charges.

What Does Possession Mean?

Possession can depend on whether the evidence connects you to the turkey through knowledge, custody, or control.  You do not necessarily have to be physically holding the turkey when a Conservation Officer finds it, and legal ownership of the vehicle, freezer, camp, or building is not necessarily decisive.

Possession may become an issue where turkey or turkey parts are found in a vehicle, hunting camp, residence, freezer, cooler, trailer, garage, processor record, or another place connected with you.  The evidence may include who put the turkey there, who used or controlled the location, who had access, how the packages were labelled, and what each person said about the turkey.

A shared location is especially important.  If several people used the same vehicle, camp, cooler, or freezer, the prosecutor must still connect the particular person charged to the turkey rather than relying only on the fact that the person was present or had some access to the location.

Do I Have to Be the Person Who Killed the Turkey?

No.  Section 12 concerns possession and does not require that the person charged was the person who killed, injured, or captured the wildlife.

The turkey may have been harvested by a friend, relative, hunting partner, client, or another person before it came into your possession.  The prosecution must still prove the unlawful source of that turkey and your own possession of it.

Does the Prosecutor Have to Prove the Turkey Was Obtained Illegally?

Yes.  For the section 12 charge, proving possession of turkey is not enough.  The prosecutor must also prove that the turkey was killed, injured, or captured contrary to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or its regulations.

The prosecution may rely on licensing and tag records, season and location evidence, hunter reports, photographs, videos, messages, Conservation Officer observations, witness evidence, or the physical turkey itself.  The evidence must connect the claimed unlawful conduct to the turkey or turkey parts identified in your possession charge.

A separate conviction for the underlying hunting offence is not necessarily required before a section 12 possession charge can be proven.  However, the facts establishing the unlawful killing, injury, or capture must still be proven as part of the possession case.

Is Every Wild Turkey Possession Charge a Section 12 Charge?

No.  Ontario has other turkey rules that also use possession as part of the offence.  The section number and offence wording on your ticket determine what must be proven.

For example, subsection 31(5) of the Hunting Regulation separately limits possession to no more than two wild turkeys killed during the spring open season and no more than one wild turkey killed during the fall open seasons.  A possession limit is the maximum number of birds the rule allows a person to possess.  That offence is different from section 12, which focuses on wildlife that was unlawfully killed, injured, or captured.

Separate tagging and carcass rules can also create possession related charges.  The exact section on your ticket therefore controls.

Can Lawfully Harvested Wild Turkey Be Shared or Stored?

Receiving, sharing, or storing a lawfully harvested wild turkey is not automatically an offence under section 12.  The lawful source of the bird, any applicable possession limit, and any separate tagging, transportation, buying, selling, or identification rules still matter.

Ontario's carcass Notice of Possession requirement under Ontario Regulation 666/98 applies to specified wildlife such as deer, moose, black bear, elk, caribou, certain raptors, and furbearing mammals.  Wild turkey is not one of the species listed in that carcass notice provision.

If you received turkey from another person or kept turkey from an earlier lawful hunt, records showing the hunter, harvest, licence and tag authority, photographs, messages, packaging, or processing information may help establish its source.  Time in storage does not by itself make lawfully obtained turkey illegal, although the separate possession limits still matter.  If money or another benefit changed hands, separate buying or selling rules may also need to be considered.

What Law Applies?

Section 12 of Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 is the principal law for possession of wildlife that was illegally killed, injured, or captured.  It prohibits a person from possessing wildlife that was killed, injured, or captured contrary to the Act or regulations.

The Act's interpretation rules make section 12 applicable to an animal whether alive or dead and to the whole animal or any part of it.  Ontario Regulation 669/98 classifies wild turkey as a game bird, while Ontario Regulation 665/98 contains separate turkey licence, tag, harvest, possession limit, and tagging rules that may be relevant to the source of the bird or to a different charge.

What Must Be Proven?

The prosecutor, meaning the lawyer or representative presenting the government's case, must prove every required part of the section 12 charge beyond a reasonable doubt.  Beyond a reasonable doubt is the high legal standard that must be met before the court can find you guilty.

For a section 12 charge involving wild turkey, the prosecutor will generally need evidence establishing that:

• You were the person involved;
• The item was a wild turkey or an identifiable part of a wild turkey;
• You possessed the turkey or turkey part identified in the charge;
• The turkey had been killed, injured, or captured contrary to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or its regulations; and
• The possession occurred in the circumstances identified by the charge.

The prosecution must establish both sides of the case: your possession and the underlying illegality affecting the turkey.  Evidence that turkey meat was present does not by itself prove that the turkey was unlawfully harvested, and evidence of an unlawful harvest does not by itself prove that every person near the turkey possessed it.

Section 12 does not state that the person possessing the wildlife must know that the wildlife was unlawfully killed, injured, or captured.  What you knew or reasonably believed about the turkey's source may nevertheless matter to whether possession is proven and to the statutory defences discussed below.

What Common Situations Lead to This Charge?

Turkey Was Found in a Shared Freezer, Cooler, or Vehicle

Several people may use the same freezer, camp, vehicle, or cooler.  The investigation may focus on who knew the turkey was there, who placed it there, who used or controlled the location, and whether records or statements connect it to the person charged.

Turkey Was Received From Another Person

A friend, relative, or hunting partner may have given you turkey meat or another part of the bird.  The source of the turkey, the original hunter's licence and tag authority, and any records or communications about the harvest may become important.

The Turkey Came From an Earlier Hunt

Frozen meat, a fan, beard, feathers, or other stored turkey parts may be said to come from an earlier lawful hunt.  Dated photographs, tag information, hunter reports, packaging, messages, and other records may help establish the history of the turkey.

The Lawfulness of the Original Hunt Was Disputed

The Conservation Officer may say the turkey was taken without proper licence or tag authority, during a closed season, contrary to a harvest restriction, or using a prohibited method.  The evidence supporting that underlying violation must be connected to the turkey involved in the possession charge.

What Is the Fine?

The current Ontario set fine for "Possess illegally killed wildlife" under section 12 is $200.  The current set fine is also $200 for possessing illegally injured wildlife and $200 for possessing illegally captured wildlife.  A set fine is the preset fine used when an offence is dealt with by ticket.

The set fine is not necessarily the total amount payable.  A victim fine surcharge is an additional amount Ontario adds to a fine after conviction, and applicable court costs may also be added.

A different turkey possession offence can have a different fine.  For example, the current set fine for possessing more than two wild turkeys killed during the spring open season or more than one wild turkey killed during the fall open seasons under subsection 31(5) is $250.  The exact section on your ticket therefore matters.

The set fine is different from the maximum penalty available after conviction.  Under section 102(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, the general maximum penalty for an individual is a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.  Those are statutory maximums and are not the automatic or usual result of an ordinary $200 possession ticket.

Can This Charge Affect My Hunting Licence or Hunting Privileges?

A licence cancellation or hunting prohibition is not automatic simply because you have been charged.  A charge is not a conviction.

After conviction, Ontario law permits the court to make a discretionary order affecting a licence or authorization related to the offence and the activity requiring it.  If such an order applies to a licence or authorization you already hold, cancellation can follow.  This is separate from the amount of the ticket.

What Evidence May Be Used?

Illegal wild turkey possession cases often depend on the turkey's source, your connection to it, and the evidence supporting the claimed unlawful harvest.  Relevant evidence may include:

• The turkey, meat, feathers, beard, legs, spurs, packaging, labels, or other physical evidence;
• Your Small Game Licence, Wild Turkey Tag, Licence Summary, hunter report, and Ministry licensing or tag records;
• Conservation Officer notes, observations, photographs, videos, recordings, and seizure records;
• Statements from you, hunters, passengers, residents, property owners, processors, or other witnesses;
• Messages, photographs, videos, GPS information, phone records, timestamps, and other electronic records;
• Freezer, cooler, vehicle, camp, storage, processor, purchase, transfer, or packaging records; and
• Season, location, hunting method, harvest, species identification, or scientific evidence connecting the turkey to the claimed underlying offence.

Disclosure is the relevant information and evidence in the prosecutor's possession or control that you are entitled to receive, subject to the law.  Disclosure should be obtained and reviewed before important decisions are made about a disputed charge.

What Possible Defences or Legal Issues May Apply?

The available defence depends on whether you possessed the turkey, whether the turkey was unlawfully killed, injured, or captured, and the reliability of the evidence.  Not every defence or legal issue applies to every case.

The Turkey Was Lawfully Harvested

The original hunter's licence or other hunting authority, Wild Turkey Tag where required, season, location, hunter report, photographs, or other records may establish that the turkey was lawfully killed.  If the underlying illegality is not proven, the section 12 charge is not established merely because you possessed turkey.

You Did Not Possess the Turkey

The turkey may have belonged to another person or been stored in a shared vehicle, residence, camp, freezer, cooler, or other location.  The evidence may not establish the knowledge, custody, or control necessary to connect you to the turkey identified in the charge.

The Evidence Does Not Connect the Underlying Offence to This Turkey

The prosecution may have evidence of a hunting violation but insufficient evidence showing that the particular turkey or parts in your possession came from that event.  Dates, photographs, packaging, biological evidence, messages, and witness accounts may be important where identity or source is disputed.

The Species, Quantity, or Source Is Disputed

Processed meat or separated parts can create identification issues.  Photographs, packaging, scientific evidence, records, and witness evidence may need to be reviewed to determine whether the items were wild turkey and whether their claimed source is reliable.

Due Diligence or an Honest and Reasonable Mistake of Fact

Due diligence means taking all reasonable care in the circumstances to prevent the offence.  An honest and reasonable mistake of fact means honestly and reasonably believing facts that, if true, would make the conduct innocent.  Section 101 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 recognizes these defences where their legal requirements are established.

For example, records and communications may support an honest and reasonable belief that the turkey was lawfully harvested or transferred.  Simply not knowing the law is different from a reasonable mistake about a fact.

Evidence, Search, Seizure, or Statement Issues

The circumstances of a vehicle stop, camp inspection, residence or freezer search, seizure, electronic evidence collection, questioning, or statement may raise separate legal issues.  Disclosure should be reviewed to determine whether the evidence is accurate, reliable, complete, and lawfully usable in the case.

Could the Turkey or Other Property Be Seized or Forfeited?

Yes, where the legal requirements are met.  Conservation Officers can seize wildlife and other property in circumstances authorized by Ontario wildlife law.  Depending on the investigation, this may include the turkey, meat or other parts, hunting documents, firearm or bow, vehicle, cooler, phone, camera, GPS device, or other property connected with the charge.

Seizure does not itself establish guilt.  Forfeiture means permanent loss of ownership and is different from temporary seizure.  Following conviction, wildlife seized in connection with the offence is forfeited to the Crown, and a justice may order other seized property forfeited.  Ontario law also contains a separate forfeiture process where possession of the seized thing is itself an offence.  Keep every seizure notice, inventory, receipt, and other document describing what was taken.

What Happens Next?

Your ticket or summons should identify the next procedural step and any response deadline or court date.  Do not miss that deadline while obtaining legal advice, requesting disclosure, or deciding how to respond.

After disclosure is obtained, compare the charge with the turkey or turkey parts, location where they were found, licensing and tag records, source records, officer observations, witness statements, electronic records, and the evidence said to prove the underlying unlawful kill, injury, or capture.

The prosecutor may withdraw the charge, meaning the charge is no longer being pursued, or the matter may be resolved by a guilty plea or another agreement, or proceed to trial.  The appropriate response depends on the evidence, legal issues, possible consequences, and circumstances of your case.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can review the wording on your ticket, summons, seizure notice, or other documents and compare it with the wildlife, records, and activity involved.  This can help identify the exact charge, the legal requirements that apply, and the factual issues that may be important to your case.

If the matter proceeds through court, DefendCharges.ca™ can explain the court process, review the available evidence and legal issues, discuss possible penalties or other consequences, and help you understand your options for responding to the charge.

Have Questions About Hunting Charges?

Whether you have been charged with one hunting offence or several, understanding your legal options is important.  DefendCharges.ca™ can review your case, explain the charges you are facing, and help you understand your legal options and the best course of action.  Contact us today to discuss your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Section 12 prohibits possessing wildlife that was killed, injured, or captured contrary to Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or its regulations;
• The charge can involve a whole wild turkey, turkey meat, or another identifiable part of the bird;
• You do not have to be the person who killed the turkey, but the prosecutor must prove your possession and the underlying unlawful source of the turkey;
• Turkey found in a shared vehicle, camp, home, cooler, or freezer does not automatically establish possession by every person with access;
• Separate wild turkey possession limits and tagging rules can create different offences, so the section number on the ticket matters;
• The current set fine for possessing illegally killed, injured, or captured wildlife under section 12 is $200; and
• Licensing, tag, source, storage, witness, electronic, and physical evidence may be central to the case.

Conclusion

Your Illegal Possession of Wild Turkey charge should be reviewed using the exact offence wording and section number, the turkey or turkey parts involved, where they were found, your connection to them, and the evidence concerning how the turkey was originally killed, injured, or captured.  Possession of turkey by itself does not establish the principal section 12 offence.

Before paying the ticket or entering a plea, review the disclosure, licensing and tag records, source and storage records, any disputed possession issue, and the evidence said to establish the underlying unlawful harvest.  Legal representation can help determine what the prosecutor must prove and whether the evidence establishes the charge.