In 2017, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) contracted Dr. Alistair Bath of Memorial
University to conduct a study focused on understanding attitudes of various interest groups toward land access issues in Saskatchewan. Dr. Bath met with members of Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA), Saskatchewan Cattleman’s Association (SCA), and the Ministry of Environment (MOE) to set parameters for this study, which was disseminated to landowners and a cross section of SWF and NON-SWF hunters.
The study (available here) reveals several findings, including:
- There is widespread support that landowners should control right of access onto their properties, and most hunters are already seeking out permission of land owners
- Though 66% of landowners postedtheirland, 85% allowed access when permission was asked.
- Support for management strategies varied, with landowners supportive of written permission where hunters viewed verbal permission as a better alternative.
- A major barrier noted by hunters is the difficulty in obtaining landowner contact information.
“This study supports the comments echoed by the majority of landowners that the major concerns experienced by Saskatchewan landowners are rural crime, unauthorized vehicle use, and biosecurity.” says Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director of the SWF,“the SWF strongly feels that new legislation should fully address these issues, and new programs should be developed that mitigate the impact on law abiding hunting practices in Saskatchewan.”
For over 30 years, the SWF has been promoting hunter landowner relations through Operation Respect program, which encourages hunters to respect the rights, property and safety of landowners, and to foster positive relationships.
– 30 –
Darrell Crabbe
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
306 692 8812
Dr. Alistair Bath
Memorial University
709 437 6780