By Clark Stork

Ministry investigating after moose left for dead

Oct 31, 2017 | 8:00 AM

Saskatchewan conservation officers are investigating a case of poaching following a tip from the public.

On September 29th, the Ministry of Environment, through their Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline was informed of an incident where a cow and calf moose were killed 11 kilometres north of Peesane, Saskatchewan.

During the timeframe of the shooting, somewhere between September 27th to 29th, moose hunting season was not open. But the illegal activity is about more than dates on a calendar.

“The animals were shot on the edge of an alfalfa field and just left there,” said conservation officer Rich Hildebrand. “None of the meat had been taken.”

Last year the Ministry looked into approximately 25 cases similar to this wasteful incident. Hildebrand said this year they’ve investigated 30 already. That doesn’t sit well with conservation specialists.

First meeting

Interest piqued after Melfort Neighbourhood Watch program info meeting

Apr 24, 2024

Wasted fish

Fish abandoned at Deschambault Lake

Apr 23, 2024

Leadership Needed to Stop Federal Overreach

Apr 23, 2024

“The rules we have are put in place to help protect and manage our wildlife the best as we can and be able to sustain those resources for future generations,” Hildebrand explained.

The public are encouraged to report any suspicious activity, Hildebrand says they receive about 1,000 calls through the TIP line each year, that’s led to an estimated 1,200 convictions under the Wildlife Act.

“Our officers definitely investigate each one of these incidents and they often rely on the public’s help to conclude these files and bring those responsible to have charges laid,” said Hildebrand.

Fines vary for the severity of the crime, but they can bring fines in the thousands of dollars, as in the case of a Rosthern man earlier on October.

Clark.Stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork