Three American men have been fined a total of $27,500 and received lengthy Ontario hunting bans for multiple moose hunting violations in a remote northwestern area of the province.
Aerial surveillance uncovers violations
The charges stem from a Ministry of Natural Resources compliance flight into the Skinner Lake area, north of Pickle Lake, on Sept. 29, 2023.
“This planned operation was in response to unlawful hunting practices documented in remote outpost camps,” the ministry said in a recent court bulletin.
The investigation determined that on that day, Zach Droessler and Ben Droessler shot and killed a bull moose from a motorboat.
Further investigation by conservation officers determined that four days earlier, on Sept. 25, Jeffery Gassman and Ben Droessler shot and killed a second bull moose from a motorboat while it was swimming.
“Gassman did not have a moose licence at the time,” added officers during the court proceedings.
All three men were from Wisconsin.
Substantial fines, provincial hunting bans
Justice of the Peace Emma Sims heard the case in Sioux Lookout on May 29, 2025.
Ben Droessler pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat and hunting a moose while it was swimming. He was fined $12,000 and received a 10-year hunting licence suspension in Ontario.
Jeffery Gassman pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat, hunting a moose while it was swimming and hunting moose without a licence. He was fined $11,500 and also received a 10-year hunting ban.
Zach Droessler pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm from a motorboat. He was fined $4,000 and received a five-year provincial hunting licence suspension.
A message to non-resident hunters
In a video statement, MNR Conservation Officer Ron Arnold addressed the case.
“We appreciate all of the non-resident hunters and anglers who travel to Ontario to enjoy our outdoors,” he said.
“Our message to all of you is respect our laws; they are designed for your safety, including the conservation and protection of a species.”
To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
For more information about unsolved cases, click here.
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