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Seven U.S. residents - four from Arizona, two from Kentucky and one from
California - were recently convicted of 28 violations under The Wildlife Act
and fined a total of $18,926 for illegal bird hunting-related activities in
southwestern Saskatchewan.
Convictions included exceeding daily limits, exceeding annual possession
limits, shooting a protected species (great horned owl), carrying loaded
firearms in a vehicle, using unplugged shotguns, hunting within 500 metres of
occupied buildings, wasting game and hunting without a licence.
"Licences and possession limits are the foundation of game management,"
Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer Doug Lucyshyn said. "Hunters who
don't abide by regulations established by the province's wildlife managers can
threaten the viability of the province's game populations. Poor hunting
ethics, apart from being a safety concern, also have the potential to damage
the good relationship between ethical, law-abiding hunters and landowners."
In addition to observing all hunting regulations, Lucyshyn reminds hunters to
respect landowners by asking permission to hunt before entering their land,
not disturbing livestock, making sure to close gates properly and being aware
of buildings or other landowner concerns.
Anyone who is aware of or suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental
violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Saskatchewan
Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP)
line at 1-800-667-7561.
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