Two Saskatoon Area Men Fined $8,400 for Unlawful Hunting

Released on October 13, 2016

Two men were recently fined a total of $8,400 in Saskatoon provincial court for unlawfully hunting moose in the Langham area, and a third donated $1,000 to two local charities.

The charges resulted from a call to the Ministry of Environment’s Turn In Poachers (TIP) line in November 2014.  Conservation officers from Saskatoon and North Battleford investigated the call and found a vehicle in the reported area, towing a trailer with an untagged bull moose in it.  The officers interviewed the driver of the truck and trailer and also the driver of an accompanying vehicle.  It was determined the moose had been shot illegally in the area.  The officers found the kill site in an area where there was no open season for moose at that time.

“The assistance of the public is invaluable as we work to protect and preserve Saskatchewan’s natural resources,” Ministry of Environment Chief of Enforcement and Investigations Ken Aube said.  “Respect for the province’s hunting laws is an important component of effective wildlife management.  There wasn’t a moose season in that area at the time of the offence, nor did the hunters have a required draw moose licence for this zone.  I’m confident that the penalties in this case will help deter others from this illegal type of activity.”

Steven Bullock, age 35 of Langham, pleaded guilty to unlawful hunting and unlawful possession of a moose under The Saskatchewan Wildlife Act, and was fined a total of $5,600.  Bullock received a four-year hunting licence suspension.

Gerald Honsinger, age 57 of Saskatoon, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a moose.  He received $2,800 in fines and a one-year hunting suspension.

A third individual assisted Bullock on-site with the loading and transport of the moose.  For his involvement, he was processed through Alternative Measures and donated $500 to the SaskTip program as the original call came in on the TIP line.  He also donated $500 to the Saskatoon Wildlife Federation to assist with its Hunt for Hunger program.  The moose seized in this case was donated to the Saskatoon Food Bank under the Hunt for Hunger program.

If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call your local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for Sasktel cellular subscribers, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/tip.  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