Released on September 30, 2014
A Saskatoon man recently pleaded guilty to five charges under The Criminal Code of Canada and The Firearms Act and was fined $6,500 in Saskatoon provincial court.Donald Scheuerman was convicted of unlawfully storing firearms, careless storage of ammunition, unlawful possession of restricted firearms, possession of restricted firearms with readily accessed ammunition, and possession of a prohibited device. The court also ordered a mandatory prohibition of 10 years for non-restricted firearms and a lifetime prohibition for restricted firearms.
The charges stem from a citizen complaint that resulted in an investigation by the Ministry of Environment in November 2013. Scheuerman had illegally shot a white-tailed deer on private posted land near Kindersley, cut a portion of the skull and antlers off and left the rest to waste. He was fined $5,600 in August 2014 for unlawfully possessing wildlife, hunting on posted land without permission and wasting game. The court also ordered a five-year prohibition from hunting wildlife in Saskatchewan.
During that investigation, conservation officers also discovered that Scheuerman was improperly storing firearms and ammunition, and that he was in illegal possession of restricted firearms.
“This individual is not a legitimate hunter and his illegal actions are an issue of public safety,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. “We hope this will send a strong message to deter others who may think about abusing our firearm laws and wildlife resources.”
The investigation concluded with assistance from Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, RCMP Firearms, DNA and Firearms Forensic Services and Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice.
This case is a prime example of how the public can assist in solving crimes through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) program, which is strongly supported by the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF).
“Our wildlife laws exist to protect Saskatchewan’s healthy game populations, and the tremendous hunting opportunities that go along with managing these wildlife resources,” SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe said. “Those who choose to ignore these rules steal opportunities from legitimate hunters, and this can jeopardize wildlife populations.”
If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, call the local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cellular subscribers, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.
The Ministry of Environment provides science-based solutions, compliance and mitigation measures aimed at protecting the environment, safeguarding communities and helping to ensure a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan residents.
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For more information, contact:
Jamie Gibson
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3900