New hunting regulations under The Wildlife Amendment Act, 2015 came into effect July 1, 2015, in advance of Saskatchewan's popular hunting season.
"Saskatchewan's valuable wildlife resource needs to be protected and preserved for future generations to enjoy," Environment Minister Herb Cox said. "This new legislation enhances wildlife protection and shows greater respect for our natural resources by increasing the severity of penalties for those who commit hunting violations."
The Wildlife Amendment Act, 2015 will ensure that:
• The most serious conservation offences will carry an automatic two year suspension;
• Those convicted on three separate occasions for wildlife offences will have a lifetime ban;
• People with outstanding wildlife-related fines will be prohibited from buying a license until their fines are paid;
• Individuals who are banned from hunting activities in other jurisdictions will not be able to purchase a license in Saskatchewan; and
• Wildlife officers will have up to three years to investigate hunting violations and bring charges forward.
Earlier amendments also included a regulation to ensure that people who are in arrears for maintenance payments will be denied the opportunity to purchase a hunting or angling license in Saskatchewan.
The Act will also ensure that science-based wildlife surveys are carried out in a responsible and undisruptive manner. Properly-conducted wildlife surveys and reliable data submissions are vital tools in the assessment, management and protection of wildlife populations and their habitat.
