News Release CFS-14-12
Recommended release on March 23, 2015
Saskatchewan Men Fined $6,970 for Unlawful Hunting
Two Saskatchewan men were recently fined a total of $6,970 in Outlook provincial court for unlawfully hunting moose in the Elbow area.
Craig Hassett of Saskatoon and Wade Hassett of Craik, pleaded guilty to four charges under the Saskatchewan Wildlife Act and Regulations for unlawfully allowing a hunting licence to be used by another person, unlawfully possessing wildlife taken in contravention of the Act, and two counts of unlawfully allowing edible game to be wasted.
Craig Hassett was fined $4,760, and Wade Hassett was fined $2,210. In addition, both men were suspended from hunting for one year.
The charges resulted from a call to the Ministry of Environment in October 2014. Conservation officers investigated the call and found a dead bull moose that had been shot and left in the Outlook area. No meat, antlers, hide or other parts had been removed from the moose. Evidence found at the scene led to both men being charged.
“The public’s assistance is invaluable as we work to protect and preserve Saskatchewan’s natural resources,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. “I‘m confident that the penalties in this case will help deter others from this type of illegal activity.”
This 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).
“Saskatchewan’s wildlife laws exist to protect and preserve healthy game populations,” SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe said. “Our province is blessed with tremendous hunting opportunities and it is important that we carefully manage these wildlife resources. Those who choose to ignore these rules steal opportunities from legitimate hunters, and potentially jeopardize wildlife populations.”
If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call your local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cellular subscribers, or report a violation online at www.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