Six Quebec hunters fined a total of $14,000 for illegally hunting migratory birds
May 7, 2026 – Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec – Environment and Climate Change Canada
On May 4, 2026, six hunters were ordered by the Court of Québec to pay a total fine of $14,000 for illegally hunting migratory birds in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka. The total fine will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund. The six hunters were also prohibited from applying for a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and from hunting migratory birds until May 4, 2027.
On January 4, 2025, in response to a report, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers—accompanied by wildlife protection officers from Quebec’s ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs—intercepted a group of hunters in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka. The group was illegally hunting migratory birds less than 400 metres from a baited site. In so doing, they violated the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, an offence punishable under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.
The officers’ investigation resulted in charges being laid against the six Quebec residents, who all pleaded guilty and were each fined. The charges are related to baiting activities during the prohibited period in the area where the group hunted and illegal migratory bird hunting activities. Specifically:
- Gabriel Patry, a resident of Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, deposited bait in an area referred to in Schedule 3 of the Regulations during the prohibited period, in violation of the Regulations. He was fined $5,000.
- Dominique Patry, a resident of Rivière-Beaudette, hunted migratory game birds within 400 metres of a location where bait had been deposited for at least seven days, in violation of the Regulations. He was fined $5,000.
- Yan Patry, a resident of Coteau-du-Lac, hunted migratory game birds within 400 metres of a location where bait had been deposited for at least seven days, in violation of the Regulations. He was fined $2,500.
- Gaétan Patry, a resident of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, hunted migratory game birds within 400 metres of a location where bait had been deposited for at least seven days, in violation of the Regulations. He was fined $500.
- Sébastien Patry, a resident of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, hunted migratory game birds within 400 metres of a location where bait had been deposited for at least seven days, in violation of the Regulations. He was fined $500.
- François Leblanc, a resident of Saint-Zotique, hunted migratory game birds within 400 metres of a location where bait had been deposited for at least seven days, in violation of the Regulations. He was fined $500.
Quick facts
- To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must hold a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and have the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp on your permit. Both documents are issued by the federal government and are valid in all provinces and territories.
- Most provinces and territories have additional requirements for hunting and/or carrying firearms. To find out what these requirements are, and if there are any additional restrictions on hunting migratory birds, please check the applicable regulations of the province or territory and municipality where you will be hunting.
- It is the hunter’s responsibility to ensure that they comply with current regulations. For more information on bag limits, hunting seasons, baiting, and other requirements, visit Migratory Game Bird Hunting.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for enforcing the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. This Act aims to ensure the protection of migratory birds, their nests, and their populations and for regulating potentially harmful human activities that may affect them.
- Anyone with information on wildlife crime (poaching, smuggling, trafficking, etc.) can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or 1-800-711-1800 if you are in Quebec.
- Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Fund directs monies received from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments to projects that will repair environmental damage or benefit the environment. The Fund aims to invest in areas where the environmental damage caused by the offence occurred.
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