November 25, 2013
SWF’s Position on 2013 White-tailed Deer Allocations
Wildlife Federation members, Conservation Officers, Biologists and the Ministry of Environment itself had all recognized that the 2012 – 2013 winter mortality was going to be severe. This situation was front and center across our Province including at wildlife Branch Meetings, Fundraisers, Regional Meetings, Annual Convention, Wildlife Advisory Committee Meetings and certainly SWF Board Meetings.
In spite of the hundreds of calls about dying deer and the recognition of the devastation that winter mortality would have on our Deer populations, combined with the fact that any recruitment of fawns this year from surviving does would be minimal; there were no reductions in allocations.
In spite of strong recommendations from all stakeholders through the Wildlife Advisory Council, including the SWF, and in spite of these same recommendations flowing from the Ministry of Environment offices, Government chose not to reduce allocations. On several occasions, the SWF addressed government directly expressing its disappointment with this decision.
In knowing that our wildlife populations are as depleted as you experienced during this fall hunting season, the SWF would encourage all individuals to contact their MLA and express their displeasure in the way Government chose to handle big game allocations and their failure to use science as the primary tool in managing our wildlife resource.
For More Information contact:
Darrell Crabbe
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
Phone: 306-692-8812
Cell: 306-630-8780