Hunting Fines in Ontario:

---

Last Updated: September 21 2026

---

Question:How do Ontario hunting ticket fines work, and what amount do I actually have to pay?

Answer:Ontario hunting ticket fines usually have a set fine plus additional mandatory amounts, so the fine on the ticket is often not the only money you owe.  For a Part I ticket, the total payable typically includes the set fine, the victim fine surcharge, and $5 in costs, and a summons or Part III case may change what penalty rules the court can apply.  Start by matching the exact charge wording and date on your ticket to the correct fine schedule and court process, because the set fine is not always the maximum fine written in the law, and the court can impose a different penalty depending on how the matter is handled.  For help reviewing your specific hunting charge and calculating the likely total payable, contact DefendCharges.ca™ by phone at (647) 559-3377 in Ontario.

Add this website to Google Preferred Sources

---

Hunting Fines in Ontario

Facing a hunting charge in Ontario, you may be wondering how much the fine is and whether the amount on your ticket is the final amount you have to pay.  A set fine is the basic fine listed for a ticket, while the total payable is the full amount shown on the ticket after the required surcharge and costs are added.

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

Do not panic.  A large maximum fine written in the law does not mean you will automatically have to pay that amount.  The fine that can apply depends on the exact charge, how the case was started, and how the case is resolved.

This page explains what hunting fines are, the difference between a set fine and the total payable, why the law may show much larger maximum fines, how ticket and summons cases can be different, what happens if you pay a ticket, what happens if a fine is not paid, and what you should do next.  Hunting Fines is part of the Penalties & Court category.

I Received a Hunting Ticket or Summons.  How Do I Know What Fine Applies?

Start with the exact charge written on your ticket or summons.  There is no single fine for every hunting offence in Ontario.

A licence offence, tag offence, closed season offence, firearm offence, wildlife possession offence, commercial offence, or Conservation Officer related offence can each have a different fine.  If you have more than one charge, each charge should be checked separately.

If you received a ticket, look for the set fine and the total payable.  If you received a summons, do not assume that the set fine listed for a similar ticket is the most the court could impose.

The date of the offence also matters because set fines can change.  The correct amount must be matched to the exact charge and the fine rules that applied when the offence is said to have happened.

What Is a Hunting Fine?

A hunting fine is money you may have to pay after you are convicted of a hunting offence.  A conviction means you were found guilty or entered a guilty plea that resulted in a finding of guilt.

In an ordinary ticket case, a set fine is used.  In another court case, the judge or justice of the peace may set the fine within the limits allowed by law.

A fine is separate from other possible consequences, such as hunting licence restrictions, loss of property, compensation, court costs, or a victim fine surcharge.

Why Does This Matter to Your Case?

The number printed beside the word fine may not be the full amount you have to pay.  It may also be very different from the maximum fine written in the law.

For example, a ticket may show a set fine of a few hundred dollars, while the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 may allow a much larger maximum fine in a different type of court proceeding.

The important question is not simply, "What is the biggest fine in the law?"  The important question is, "What fine rules apply to my exact charge and court process?"

What Is a Set Fine?

A set fine is the preset fine used for a particular offence in the ticket process.  Ontario's official set fine schedules match the offence wording and section number to the fine amount.

The exact match matters.  Do not use the fine for a similar charge, another species, another section, or an old fine schedule just because the wording looks close.

Does Every Hunting Offence Have a Set Fine?

No.  Some hunting offences do not have a set fine.  That does not mean there is no offence or that the court cannot impose a fine.

A charge without a set fine may be dealt with through a summons or another court process where the court applies the penalty rules for that offence.

What Is the Total Payable on an Ontario Hunting Ticket?

The total payable is the full amount shown for paying an Ontario Part I offence notice, commonly called a ticket.  It includes the set fine, the victim fine surcharge, and $5 in costs.

For example, if the set fine is $250, the current victim fine surcharge is $50.  With the $5 cost added, the total payable is $305.

This is why the set fine and the amount you actually see owing on the ticket can be different.

What Is the Victim Fine Surcharge?

The victim fine surcharge is an extra amount added to a fine.  It is not another hunting charge.

The amount depends on the size of the fine.  Under the current Ontario schedule, a fine from $201 to $250 has a $50 surcharge.  For a fine over $1,000, the surcharge is 25 percent of the fine.

Is the Set Fine the Maximum Fine?

No.  The set fine and the maximum fine are two different things.

The set fine is the preset amount used for the ticket process.  The maximum fine is the most the law allows a court to impose when that full penalty rule applies.

A large maximum written in the law does not mean you will automatically receive that amount.

What Are the Maximum Fines Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act?

For an individual, the general maximum under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 is a fine of up to $25,000, up to one year in jail, or both.  These are maximum penalties, not automatic results.

For an offence under section 16, the careless firearm rule, the maximum fine is still $25,000 but the maximum jail term is two years.

For certain listed offences and offences committed for commercial purposes, the maximum for an individual can be a fine of up to $100,000, up to two years in jail, or both.

Whether those larger maximums are available depends on how the case is being prosecuted.  An ordinary Part I case has its own limit.

What Is the Difference Between Part I, Part II and Part III?

Part I, Part II and Part III are different procedures under Ontario's Provincial Offences Act.  For a hunting charge, Part I and Part III are normally the important ones.  Part II is included here so you understand what all three parts mean.

Part I

Part I is commonly used for ordinary provincial offence tickets.  It can also involve a summons.

If the offence normally allows a fine of more than $1,000 or jail, the Part I rules generally limit the fine to no more than the lower of the offence's maximum fine or $1,000.  Jail does not apply through that Part I penalty rule.

A Part I case started by an offence notice also has special rules that can limit some other consequences of the conviction.  The detailed effect depends on the law involved, so do not assume that every ticket and summons has the same result.

Part II

Part II is the part of the Provincial Offences Act used for parking offences.  It deals with unlawful parking, standing, or stopping of a vehicle.

Part II is not normally the procedure used for an Ontario hunting charge.  If you are dealing with a hunting ticket or summons, your case will usually need to be checked as a Part I or Part III proceeding instead.

Part III

Part III is a more formal court process and commonly starts with a summons.  It begins with an information, meaning the formal document used to start that type of case.

The Part I $1,000 limit does not apply to a Part III case.  The larger penalty rules in the hunting law can therefore become more important.

If you received a summons, check whether the case is Part I or Part III.  The word Summons by itself does not tell you which procedure applies.

Can the Court Give You a Fine Different From the Set Fine?

Yes, depending on how the case proceeds.  A set fine is mainly used in the ticket process and does not always control the fine after a court hearing.

If you plead guilty and make submissions about the penalty where that option is available, the justice may be able to impose the set fine or a lower fine.

If the charge goes to trial, the court applies the penalty rules for that type of proceeding.  In a Part III case, the set fine from a ticket schedule does not set the court's maximum fine.

What If You Have More Than One Hunting Charge?

Each charge can have its own fine.  One hunting incident can lead to several charges, and the fine for one charge does not automatically cover the others.

Some fine rules can also depend on how many animals, birds, or other items are involved.  The exact wording of each charge matters.

What About Federal Migratory Bird Fines?

Federal migratory bird tickets use federal fine amounts, not Ontario hunting set fine schedules.  These charges can arise under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022.

The federal Contraventions Regulations set ticket fines for many federal migratory bird offences.  Some are fixed amounts, while others can increase depending on the number of birds, eggs, nests, or other items involved.

If your ticket is for a federal migratory bird offence, check the exact federal section on the ticket instead of using an Ontario wildlife set fine.

What Happens if You Pay the Fine on a Hunting Ticket?

Paying the total payable on an Ontario Part I offence notice is a guilty plea and results in a conviction.  It is not simply an administrative payment.

Before paying, make sure you understand the exact charge and whether the conviction could affect anything besides the money shown on the ticket.

Can You Ask for More Time to Pay a Court Fine?

Yes.  A court can give you more time to pay.  A fine normally becomes due 15 days after it is imposed unless the court gives you more time or another permitted payment arrangement applies.

When the court imposes a fine, it must ask whether you want more time to pay.  You can also apply for an extension or another extension later.

If you need more time, deal with it before simply leaving the fine unpaid.  Keep any order or confirmation showing the new payment date.

What Happens if a Hunting Fine Is Not Paid?

An unpaid fine can cause more problems after the court case is over.  A fine is in default when an amount that is due has remained unpaid for at least 15 days.

A fine in default can be enforced.  In some cases, an unpaid fine can also affect a related licence or privilege until the fine is paid.

If you cannot pay on time, ask for an extension instead of ignoring the fine.

What Records Should You Keep?

Keep the documents that show the exact charge, fine, court result, and payment status.  Useful records include:

• The complete ticket or summons, including the offence wording, section number, and offence date;
• The set fine and total payable shown on the ticket;
• Any court decision or sentencing order;
• Any order giving you more time to pay;
• Payment receipts and confirmation numbers; and
• Any court or Ministry notice about an unpaid fine or licence restriction.

If you believe the wrong fine was used, compare the exact offence section and offence date with the official fine schedule that applied at that time.

What Law Applies?

The Provincial Offences Act contains the main Ontario rules for set fines, Part I penalties, court costs, victim fine surcharges, payment deadlines, and unpaid fines.  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 contains the main maximum penalties for Ontario hunting and wildlife offences under that Act.

Ontario Regulation 161/00 contains the victim fine surcharge amounts.  The Ontario Court of Justice publishes the official set fine schedules.

Federal migratory bird ticket fines are set separately under federal law.

What Should You Do Next?

Start with the exact charge, not a general list of hunting fines.  Check the offence wording, section number, offence date, set fine, total payable, and whether your case is a ticket case, a Part I summons, a Part III summons, or a federal case.

If you have more than one charge, check each one separately.  If you received a summons, find out which court procedure applies before relying on a ticket fine or a large maximum written in the law.

If you are thinking about paying a ticket, remember that payment results in a guilty plea and conviction.  If a fine has already been imposed and you need more time to pay, ask for an extension before the fine goes into default.

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

• There is no single fine for every Ontario hunting charge;
• The set fine is the basic fine listed for the exact offence in the ticket process;
• The total payable is the set fine plus the victim fine surcharge and $5 in costs;
• A large maximum fine written in the law is not automatically the fine you will receive;
• Part I and Part III hunting cases can have different fine limits, while Part II is used for parking offences;
• Paying an Ontario Part I offence notice is a guilty plea and results in a conviction; and
• If you cannot pay a court fine on time, ask for more time before the fine goes into default.

Conclusion

If you have been charged with a hunting offence in Ontario, the most important thing is to understand what the amount on your ticket or summons actually means.  The set fine, total payable, and maximum fine are different numbers and can apply in different ways.

Before paying a ticket or making a decision based on a large maximum written in the law, check the exact charge and the court procedure being used.  This can help you understand what you may actually have to pay and what steps you should take next.