Outfitting Company Fined $20,000 for Illegal Outfitting and Hunting

Released on February 23, 2015

A Saskatoon-based outfitting company that pleaded guilty to five counts under The Outfitter and Guide Regulations for illegal outfitting and two counts under The Migratory Birds Convention Act and Regulations for hunting violations was fined a total of $20,000 in Saskatoon provincial court on February 18, 2015.

Saskatoon Waterfowl Outfitters Inc., was charged for failing to ensure that all wildlife taken by its clients was identified as belonging to the client or group of clients who took the wildlife, failing to keep a written record of the names and addresses of all clients, and failing to make written records available at the request of conservation officers with the Ministry of Environment.
  
Fines of $2,800 were issued on each count for a total of $14,000.

With respect to migratory birds, the company was charged for exceeding the daily bag limit and exceeding the possession limit.  Fines of $3,000 were issued on each count for a total of $6,000, and all migratory birds were forfeited to the Crown.
 
The charges resulted from place-of-business investigation conducted by conservation officers in September 2013 and October 2014.

“Illegal outfitting and hunting robs the people of Saskatchewan of the benefits of our natural resources and the provincial government is committed to ensuring those who abuse the resource are prosecuted,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said.  “The courts have recognized the negative impacts of these activities and imposed this significant penalty.  I am confident it sends the message that Saskatchewan’s fish and wildlife resources are valued and will be protected.”

If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, environmental or forestry violations, please call your local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation.  You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Gibson
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3900
Email: jamie.gibson@gov.sk.ca