PEI Conservation Officers Charged with Shooting Near Homes

[Rob]

PEI Conservation Officers Charged with Shooting Near Homes​

In late December, Queens District RCMP began an investigation on behalf of PEI Conservation into hunting activity that occurred close to a residence. The investigation resulted in charges against two Conservation Officers.

On December 19, 2025, Queens District RCMP took over an investigation into reports of bird hunters shooting too close to a residence in Rustico. The incidents occurred between December 18 and 19, 2025 and was initially reported to PEI Conservation. It involved a group of four hunters goose hunting. Two hunters from the United States were charged by PEI Conservation and RCMP were requested to investigate the other two hunters who were guiding the visiting hunters.

As a result of the investigation, RCMP laid summary offence charges against two Conservation Officers under Section 19(1)(f) of the Wildlife Conservation Act for shooting at game within 200 metres of a school, church, meeting place, farm building, occupied dwelling, or livestock without permission. This section carries a $250 fine.

“An investigation of this nature is normally conducted by PEI Conservation. In the interest of investigative integrity, the RCMP were asked to complete this investigation. Engaging another agency to investigate is a normal practice in law enforcement when a conflict of interest exists;” said Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Commanding Officer for the PEI RCMP.

 

[Snider shooter]

Do as I say not as I do obviously.

 

[madtrapper143]

Being a C.O. and guiding would/should be a conflict?
Darryl

 

[Suther]

Being a C.O. and guiding would/should be a conflict?
Darryl

I dunno about this specific situation, but often non resident aliens can be hosted by a resident without the resident being a licensed guide. Depends on jurisdiction and the game being pursued.

 

[Deanx]

Anyone can make a mistake. Sometimes there are consequences.

 

[Third Rail]

^Agree. I recall looking at the FWCA Set Fines for Ontario a few years back and gave up. Who can honestly say they have NEVER crossed any one of these, sometimes vague, lines?

https://www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj/provincial-offences/set-fines/set-fines-i/schedule-17-5/

 

[lone-wolf]

I wouldn't hold it against these guys. PEI despite being a small population is densely packed. Trying to find space away from people to hunt isn't always the easiest thing. And the fact this was an issue leads me to thinking some townie or come from awayer got their panties in a bunch about there even being hunting allowed on the island.

 

[lone-wolf]

I know some residents will guide for geese on the island, then the hunter will guide the islander in ns for deer.
COs I've run in to are usually hunters themselves, so I could see this being the possible scenario as well.

The whole needing a resident guide cause you live on the otherside of a provincial border is a huge pita living on an island with no deer. It'd almost be easier for me to go hunt in maine.

 

[canadian hunter312]

Being a C.O. and guiding would/should be a conflict?
Darryl

Why would/should it be?

 

[waldo54]

Obviously they should know the law, possibly they thought they were above the law, or possibly they just screwed up when they set up in the dark, either way they were charged and will pay the price.

 

[madtrapper143]

Why would/should it be?

There would be the perception that being a C.O. and performing a guide position could lead to "bending" the rules with little fear of detection.
Darryl

 

[SND]

Everyone has a phone with google maps. Easy to see where you are and distance to houses.

 

[maifire]

Hopefully held to account like any of us.
We all screw up.

 

[armilaria]

I hunt birds all the time and it is an easy mistake to make especially when heading out to your spot and birds jump up in front of you. I try to not load my rifle until I am past that 200m area. I agree mistakes happen sometimes and the rules are not always black and white. Especially on imaginary boundary lines. No grace for getting caught and always seems to be someone watching and itching to report you.

 

[Jon9021]

PEI Conservation Officers Charged with Shooting Near Homes​

In late December, Queens District RCMP began an investigation on behalf of PEI Conservation into hunting activity that occurred close to a residence. The investigation resulted in charges against two Conservation Officers.

On December 19, 2025, Queens District RCMP took over an investigation into reports of bird hunters shooting too close to a residence in Rustico. The incidents occurred between December 18 and 19, 2025 and was initially reported to PEI Conservation. It involved a group of four hunters goose hunting. Two hunters from the United States were charged by PEI Conservation and RCMP were requested to investigate the other two hunters who were guiding the visiting hunters.

As a result of the investigation, RCMP laid summary offence charges against two Conservation Officers under Section 19(1)(f) of the Wildlife Conservation Act for shooting at game within 200 metres of a school, church, meeting place, farm building, occupied dwelling, or livestock without permission. This section carries a $250 fine.

“An investigation of this nature is normally conducted by PEI Conservation. In the interest of investigative integrity, the RCMP were asked to complete this investigation. Engaging another agency to investigate is a normal practice in law enforcement when a conflict of interest exists;” said Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Commanding Officer for the PEI RCMP.

Ooops…

 

[MiG25]

Sounds like another arbitrary rule since it's 100m in BC.

 

[track]

PEI Conservation Officers Charged with Shooting Near Homes​

In late December, Queens District RCMP began an investigation on behalf of PEI Conservation into hunting activity that occurred close to a residence. The investigation resulted in charges against two Conservation Officers.

On December 19, 2025, Queens District RCMP took over an investigation into reports of bird hunters shooting too close to a residence in Rustico. The incidents occurred between December 18 and 19, 2025 and was initially reported to PEI Conservation. It involved a group of four hunters goose hunting. Two hunters from the United States were charged by PEI Conservation and RCMP were requested to investigate the other two hunters who were guiding the visiting hunters.

As a result of the investigation, RCMP laid summary offence charges against two Conservation Officers under Section 19(1)(f) of the Wildlife Conservation Act for shooting at game within 200 metres of a school, church, meeting place, farm building, occupied dwelling, or livestock without permission. This section carries a $250 fine.

“An investigation of this nature is normally conducted by PEI Conservation. In the interest of investigative integrity, the RCMP were asked to complete this investigation. Engaging another agency to investigate is a normal practice in law enforcement when a conflict of interest exists;” said Chief Superintendent Kevin Lewis, Commanding Officer for the PEI RCMP.

It's unfortunate this has occured. I'm an advocate of law enforcement officers, from time-to-time a bad apple is discovered. Isolated incidents will not change my thoughts towards the men who work the frontlines.

 

[francool08]

Being a C.O. and guiding would/should be a conflict?
Darryl

Clearly...

 

[Shovel]

Not enough facts. They were charged with Wildlife Conservation Act for shooting at game within 200 metres of a school, church, meeting place, farm building, occupied dwelling, or livestock without permission. Need more specifics. No charges re the other hunters. I'm smelling bs

 

[Thunderhog]

It's unfortunate this has occured. I'm an advocate of law enforcement officers, from time-to-time a bad apple is discovered. Isolated incidents will not change my thoughts towards the men who work the frontlines.

Agreed to a point. I have over 25 years service myself in law enforcement.....

However, when good cops become bad, or law enforcement stands for tyranny, enforces corrupt and unjust laws, the buck stops here......

The Cape Breton Police Chief is a prime example. As are any other law enforcement agencies that are involved in stripping Canadians of their lawfully obtained property. Just because Trudy/Socks woke up one morning with a hair up his @ss, and decided to ban firearms that were black (Racist Bastard), or did not look people-kind friendly, it does not give him the right to punish law abiding, daily vetted, Licensed Canadian Firearms owners.
Whoever allowed this moron to accomplish this should be put in jail. Along with Trudy, Billy, Brenda, and any other high ranking RCMP Officers who killed 22 Canadians for political agendas.