Released on June 15, 2015
An American owner/operator of a hunt farm near Bethune, Saskatchewan, was fined $8,001 in Moose Jaw provincial court for trafficking wildlife and unlawfully exporting wildlife.
Conservation officers investigated a call to the Ministry of Environment’s Turn in Poachers (TIP) line in November 2013, and determined that a wild bull elk had been illegally shot outside of a hunt farm and was claimed as an animal shot on the hunt farm. The bull elk was also unlawfully transported to British Columbia.
“People who kill animals illegally and traffic in wildlife are stealing from the law-abiding hunters of our province,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. “Our laws are designed to provide effective management of wildlife populations to ensure hunting opportunities are available now and in the future.”
On May 26, 2015, James Patrick Boyer of Vancouver, Washington, USA, was found guilty of four charges under The Wildlife Act and The Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
In addition to the charges, the court suspended Boyer from hunting in the province for five years.
This case is a prime example of how the public can assist in solving crimes through the 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. “We encourage people to call into the TIP line or contact their local conservation officer immediately if they witness any illegal activity, so these individuals can be identified and dealt with.”
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 www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation. Callers may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.
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For more information, contact:
Jamie Gibson
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3900
Email: jamie.gibson@gov.sk.ca