Three Men Fined More Than $14,600 for Illegal Hunting

Released on April 8, 2016

In early April, two men pleaded guilty in Weyburn provincial court to a number of hunting-related infractions and received $11,160 in fines.  This is in addition to $3,500 in fines for an earlier court date related to the same investigation.

During their investigation, conservation officers determined that one man had unlawfully shot multiple animals in an unsafe manner in the Weyburn area in 2013.  The other individual disposed of the carcasses and was in possession of illegally taken wildlife.

“Those that unlawfully kill animals in our province take away the hunting opportunities of those who do follow the regulations,” Ministry of Environment Chief of Enforcement and Investigations Ken Aube said.  “Future hunting opportunities depend on effective management of wildlife populations.”

Roger Brenton, aged 40, of Macklin, was fined $2,800 for unlawfully hunting moose, $2,100 for unlawfully hunting white-tailed deer, and $1,820 for exceeding possession of pheasants, all under The Wildlife Act.  He was also fined $1,400 for shooting from a road at night under The Wildlife Regulations and $240 for not having a hunter’s safety course.  In addition to the $8,360 in total fines, Brenton also received a three year hunting suspension.

Zach Payne, 32, a resident of Ignace, Ontario, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting Brenton and received a $2,800 fine and one year hunting suspension.

In an earlier court date, Dave Bessette, 27, of Weyburn, pleaded guilty to possession of illegally taken wildlife and one count of aiding and abetting Brenton with the unlawful harvest of the moose and white-tailed deer.  Bessette was fined a total of $3,500 and given a one year hunting suspension.

By receiving hunting suspensions in Saskatchewan, hunting privileges for these three individuals are also revoked in Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

A firearm used in the offences, as well as all the meat seized, was forfeited to the Crown.  The meat will be donated to a local food bank.

To report a fisheries, wildlife, environmental or forestry violation, contact your nearest Ministry of Environment Office or call the province's Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 from any SaskTel cell phone, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation.  You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.  Callers can remain anonymous.

-30-

For more information, contact:

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