Going for a walk can be part of everyone’s daily routine, especially during a pandemic, it keeps us in shape both mind and body. It is common for farm families to be seen walking down the road getting their exercise in.
As was the case for a couple north of Churchbridge, who were on a walk Monday evening just after 5 P.M. to the horrible realization they had gunshots fired towards them.
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous due to safety concerns and an ongoing investigation by both the Langenburg/Esterhazy RCMP and the Saskatchewan Conservation Office from Yorkton, had scared up a group of deer as they walked down the grid road along the pasture of their homestead.
The couple knew it was hunting season and changed their walking route to remain within 500 meters of the yard and occupied pasture, knowing the hunting regulations expressly forbid hunting within 500 meters of an occupied dwelling or pasture.
On their return walk home down the grid road, they observed a “white truck pulling a utility trailer” enter the field just across the road from their homestead, this worried the couple as this particular quarter section has 3 homes bordering it and another home less than 300 meters from the other side of the quarter.
As the couple got even closer to the house, 3 men exited the truck and started shooting in their direction at the group of deer that they had scared up on the first leg of their walk.
As quickly and safely as possible the couple rushed home to call 911 to report what had just happened, and in a short period of time, both the game wardens and the police were at the farmyard. It is noted that a second RCMP officer was attending another complaint involving hunters on posted land in the general area.
The investigation into the identity and actions of these 3 males in a white truck pulling a utility trailer is still underway, anyone with information should contact the Esterhazy/Langenburg RCMP Detachment.
Road hunting, trespassing on posted land, and hunting on land without permission seem to be common ‘hunting issues’ as are shots being fired at people and even at farmhouses. This is illegal and dangerous.
Hunting is a privilege, not a right. If a privilege is abused it can be taken away.
Hunters are trained on proper gun safety as well as the hunting regulations and it seems those involved have forgotten this training.
We as hunters need to do our part in upholding the laws and regulations involved in this privilege.
