SEVEN QUEBEC DEER HUNTERS FINED $7,230 – MANITOBA LICENCES USED

Released on December 6, 2005

Seven Quebec hunters were recently convicted of 13 Saskatchewan Wildlife Act violations and fined a total of $7,230 for over-limit hunting and illegally tagging big game animals with Manitoba hunting licence tags.

One Weatherby rifle worth approximately $5,000 was forfeited to the Crown, along with all 10 white-tailed deer. As well, six of the seven hunters received one-year hunting licence suspensions, with one getting a two-year suspension of hunting privileges.

"We expect all hunters to respect our provincial wildlife laws," Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer Gary Provencher said. "These laws are designed to provide effective management of our wildlife populations and ensure hunting opportunities are available now and in the future for Saskatchewan residents and non-residents alike."

The investigation began with a call from the public in mid-November 2005 alerting Greenwater Lake conservation officers to suspicious deer hunting activities in the Porcupine Provincial Forest near Somme, Saskatchewan. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that too many deer had been taken and that Manitoba tags were being applied to the over-limit deer.

Noting that this investigation began with a call from the public, Provencher encouraged concerned citizens to report any hunting, fishing or environmental abuses to their nearest Saskatchewan Environment office or through the Province's 24-hour toll-free Turn in Poachers (TIPS) line at 1-800-667-7561.

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For More Information, Contact:

Gary Provencher Environment Saskatoon Phone: (306) 933-7928

Art Jones Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-5796