Released on January 11, 2017
A Maple Creek man recently pleaded guilty in provincial court for violations under The Wildlife Act and was fined a total of $3,280.On October 23, 2016, an off-duty Ministry of Environment conservation officer was driving on a road approximately 25 kilometres southwest of Maple Creek when he noticed a side-by-side ATV driving back and forth in a field at a high rate of speed.
Using binoculars, the officer watched the ATV chase something, run it over and then stop. The occupants then proceeded to load what looked like a pronghorn antelope into the box.
When the occupants became aware they were being watched, they took off in the opposite direction from the officer. They stopped at a stand of trees and exited the ATV. They returned to the ATV and then approached the off-duty officer where they had a brief conversation. The driver, who also had three youths with him, told the officer to leave the area.
The officer drove away and contacted an on-duty officer. Officers returned to the area and located a mature pronghorn buck in the trees where the ATV had stopped earlier in the day.
Jonathon Hofer, age 45, was charged with chasing a big game animal with a vehicle under The Wildlife Act, as well as waste of game.
Hofer also received a one-year hunting and trapping suspension from the date of conviction.
If you suspect fisheries, wildlife, forestry or environmental violations, please call your 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/tip. You may be eligible for cash rewards from SaskTip Reward Program.
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For more information, contact:
Ron Podbielski
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6595
Email: ron.podbielski@gov.sk.ca