Seven Asquith area men plead guilty to 11 counts under the Saskatchewan Wildlife Act and Regulations for illegal trapping and were fined $9,500 in provincial court in Saskatoon.
The charges were laid as the result of an investigation by the Ministry of Environment in Saskatoon. Conservation Officers determined that members of the Eagle Creek Hutterite Colony were using unlawful trapping equipment such as free hanging neck snares and leg hold traps that were not modified as required. The men were primarily targeting coyotes but several white tail deer were also caught, not reported to authorities and allowed to waste.
"Illegal trapping robs the people of Saskatchewan of the benefits of our natural resources and the provincial government is committed to ensure those who abuse the resource are appropriately dealt with," Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. "We are pleased that the courts have recognized the serious nature of these offences and imposed this significant penalty. I am confident that it will send the message that Saskatchewan's wildlife resource is valued and will be protected."
Anyone who is aware of or suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the provinces' toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel call phone subscribers.
Callers may be eligible for cash rewards through the SASKTIP reward program.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
