Community Pastures
Hunters, including First Nation and Métis hunters exercising hunting rights, can access a number of community pastures across Saskatchewan (previously Saskatchewan Pastures Program (SPP) or the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) pastures. For hunting on these lands, the general areas as described in the Saskatchewan Hunters and Trappers Guide remain unchanged. Generally, all are open to hunting as follows:
- Wildlife Management Zones (WMZ) 1-47 – November 1
- WMZ 54 – November 10
- WMZs 48-50, 52, 53, 55 and 68N – November 15
Some pastures may remain closed beyond these dates if livestock are still at large, field operations are occurring, or fire hazards exist.
Some pastures may open to hunting prior to these dates; however, hunters must contact the pasture manager or designated patron group member to confirm access to hunting prior to entering. Please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, land management specialist for the area in which you intend to hunt. The land management specialist can provide you with pasture specific contact information.
There is no baiting in community pastures without the permission of the pasture manager or designated patron group member.
Vehicles are restricted to roads and trails; however, special access conditions may be in place for select pastures.
Fires are not allowed.
First Nation and Métis hunters have seasonal access to community pastures for hunting purposes when farming operations are not underway. This may be outside the regulated hunting season per the Treaty and Aboriginal Rights for Hunting and Fishing Guide. For further information on Treaty and Aboriginal hunting and fishing rights, please visit our hunting and fishing rights webpage.
Co-operative Pastures
Access on Crown land leased to co-operative pasture groups differs from the community pastures above. Members of co-operative pasture groups have the right to control access to the land in the same manner that private owners or private lessees can. Permission is required from the grazing co-operative pasture manager or designated patron member prior to hunting.
Private Crown Land Leases
Agricultural Crown land lessees have the right to control access to the provincial land subject to the private Crown land lease. Permission is required from the lessee prior to hunting.
Vacant Crown Land Leases
If Crown lands are not visibly in use for farming operations, hunters, including First Nation and Métis hunters, can access the land and hunt without permission. First Nation and Métis communities also have a right to use vacant Crown land and resources for traditional purposes, such as ceremonies or gathering plants.
Contact the land management specialist to confirm if the land you intend to access is currently vacant.