Released on April 7, 2011
A Wadena-area outfitter was found guilty of wasting game under the Saskatchewan Wildlife Regulations and was fined $4,200 in provincial court in Saskatoon.
Sykes R. Mitchell of Sisters, Oregon, USA was convicted of wasting the edible flesh of 135 snow geese that hunters had shot while using his outfitting service.
The charge was laid as the result of a call to the Ministry of Environment in May of 2009. Conservation officers investigated and found that a large number of snow geese had been dumped in a field approximately 20 kilometres northeast of Wadena. The officers determined that individuals employed by Mr. Mitchell to clean the hunters' birds had illegally disposed of the goose carcasses without removing any edible flesh. There was a spring snow goose season open in the area at the time.
"Outfitters and hunters who waste game are stealing from the people of our province," Ministry of Environment Enforcement and Compliance Director Ken Aube said. "Our laws are designed to provide effective wildlife management and ensure healthy populations are available now and in the future."
Anyone who is aware of or who suspects wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the provinces' toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers. Callers may be eligible for cash rewards through the SaskTip reward program.
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For more information, contact:
Gary Provencher
Environment
Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-3519