Released on May 27, 2008
Walter Shawaga of Manitoba has been convicted in Melfort Provincial Court and fined $10,050 under The Wildlife Act for illegally purchasing Saskatchewan Resident hunting licences. Shawaga was also given a three-year suspension from buying hunting licences in Saskatchewan.
The charges against Shawaga were the result of a two-year joint investigation, during which conservation officers from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and Manitoba Natural Resources confirmed that he had purchased eleven Saskatchewan Resident hunting licences. Although Shawaga owned a house near Weekes, Saskatchewan, his principal residence was in The Pas, Manitoba.
"In order to purchase Saskatchewan Resident hunting licences, a person must be a Canadian citizen, have their principal residence in Saskatchewan and have resided in the province for three months preceding the date of application for the licence," Environment's Compliance and Field Services executive director Kevin Callele said. "This type of illegal practice puts an extra strain on our wildlife populations and reduces hunting opportunities for law-abiding hunters."
Anyone who is aware of or suspects environmental or resource abuses is encouraged to call any Ministry of Environment office or the 24-hour Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561. SaskTel cell phone users can now dial #5555 to contact the TIP line.
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For more information, contact:
Gary Provencher
Environment
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-7928
Cell: 306-270-3860