NEWS RELEASE- CFS-14-15 DEC. 23, 2014
Wayne Whitehead of the Pelican Lake First Nation was convicted on charges of illegal outfitting and unlawful possession of wildlife in North Battleford provincial court on December 23, 2014, resulting in fines totaling $4,900 under The Wildlife Act and The Outfitter and Guide Regulations.
The charges were laid as the result of two public complaints received by the Ministry of Environment in November 2012 and February 2013. The first complaint was investigated and conservation officers determined that Whitehead, a First Nations outfitter, was unlawfully outfitting by providing a hunt outside of his authorized hunting area on First Nations land.
The second complaint was also investigated and it was determined that Whitehead was in unlawful possession of a moose.
“Illegal outfitting and hunting robs the people of Saskatchewan and the provincial government is committed to ensuring those who abuse our wildlife resources are prosecuted,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. “The courts have recognized the negative impacts of these activities and imposed this significant penalty. I am confident that it sends the message that Saskatchewan’s fish and wildlife resources are valued and will be protected.”
This case is a prime example of how the public can assist in solving crimes through the Turn In Poachers (TIP) program, which is strongly supported by the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF).
“Our province is blessed with tremendous hunting opportunities and it is important that we carefully manage these wildlife resources,” SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe said. “Saskatchewan’s wildlife laws exist to protect and preserve healthy game populations. This is why the Ministry of Environment sets seasons and requires licences to prevent over-harvesting.”
If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call your local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers TIP line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers, or report a violation online at saskatchewan.ca/conservation . You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.
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Jamie Gibson
Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
Regina
Phone: 306‐798-3900