Well it happened again! The leaves have turned and there is a touch of frost on the air. Fall is here!
And, for many outdoor enthusiasts, so is the fall hunting season.
It is time to dust off the decoys, warm up the duck call, sight in the old hunting rifle and pick up your copy of the 2014 Hunters' and Trappers' Guide.
In Saskatchewan, hunting is a popular outdoor pursuit for people of all ages. It is also a time of year when hunters come from all over the world to experience the excellent hunting opportunities for a variety of game species in the province.
This year is the second year for the automated hunting and angling license system, also known as HAL. Big game licenses are available on-line, and through vendors that carry the licensing system. Hunters can also purchase a licence by calling 1-855-848-4773 or by visiting their local Ministry of Environment field office. If you purchased a hunting, trapping, or angling license in 2013 or 2014, then you are registered in the system and will have been assigned a HAL ID.
Tags can also be picked up at local field office, as well as licences for trapping and upland birds.
There are a few other changes in store for this year, particularly when it comes to opening season dates and regulations.
"White tailed deer have had two consecutive years of hard winters and their numbers will be down for 2014," explained Ministry of Environment Wildlife Management Unit manager Chuck Lees. "The dates for rifle white tailed deer have been reduced to two weeks rather than three in southern Saskatchewan. However, hunters will still find deer in their favorite hunting spots, but they may need to be less selective."
Hunters who were successful through the Big Game Draw will have to check the Hunters' and Trappers' Guide to get the correct dates and other information for their hunt.
"Hunting vests are now legal to wear rather than a full suit from the waist up," Lees said. "As well, high visibility safety vests that carry a label CAN/CSA Z96-02 or Z96-09 Level 1 or 2 are legal to wear."
Regulations around headwear have also changed to allow a crest or patch on the hat as long as it does not exceed 50 centimetres. However, the colours for headwear have not changed from last year.
"Regulations around upland game birds have not really changed other than a reduction in the daily number of gray (Hungarian) partridge that you can harvest in one day," Lees noted. "The daily limit for gray partridge has been cut in half to four birds with a possession limit of eight,"
There have been no changes for pheasants this year with a daily limit of two and a possession limit of four. Sharp-tail grouse remains the same as last year with a daily limit of two and a possession limit of four. The seasons for pheasant, gray partridge and sharp-tail grouse have not changed.
Another change is that the rules surrounding the use of ATVs for the purposes of hunting big game in all forests and forest fringe zones is now allowed.
"This means that they can be driven all day, but the firearms have to be unloaded and encased during an open big game season," Lees said. "However, ATVs are still not allowed to be used for hunting in any of the province's southern zones while there is an open big game season."
Hunters are reminded to respect landowner's property and ask for permission before going on private land.
Specific information on seasons, draws, and regulation changes can be found in the Hunters' and Trappers' Guide, which is available online at Saskatchewan.ca.
Anyone who suspects wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cellular subscribers.
Violations can also be reported online at saskatchewan.ca/conservation. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.
