SaskTip Crime of the Month
February 2010
On October 15th 2009 a call was made to the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher line regarding a bull moose that was found dead in a field near the town of Benson, in Southeast Saskatchewan. Conservation Officers determined that the mature bull had been shot with a 223 calibre rifle. The moose had been shot sometime between October 14th and 15th and left to waste. The poachers fired at least two rounds from the #702 grid road but never approached the dead animal. If you have information on this case or others, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
Watch the February 2010 Crime of the Month on Youtube
January 2010
Each year the Star Lake Road Closure is one of many road closures in the province that is vandalized on a regular basis. Road Closures are put into place to protect and manage forest resources and to protect the road against degradation and damage. Road closures are established to stop access of highway vehicles. ATV, snowmobile, horse, and bicycle use is authorized. Damage to the Star Lake Road Closure has allowed unlawful activities to occur along the opened road. If you have information on this case or others, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
Watch the January 2010 Crime of the Month on YouTube
December 2009
On November 13, 2009 a call was made to the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher line regarding two dead moose found in a bush on the edge of a field Southeast of Meath Park. Conservation Officers investigating the scene found a cow and calf moose had been shot and left to waste. They also found evidence that the vehicle involved in this case had been damaged at the scene. A black, 1995 GMC extended cab truck was seen leaving the area where the moose were killed. Conservation Officers have information that there were witnesses to this crime and encourage them to come forward.
The December Crime of the Month can also be found under Cases - Two Moose Shot Unlawfully and Left near Meath Park
Watch the December Crime of the Month on YouTube
November 2009
On October 23, 2009 a call was made to the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher line regarding a mule deer that had been found dead approximately 20km Southwest of Cupar, along the North edge of the Qu'Appelle River valley. Conservation Officers investigating the scene determined that the mule deer had been killed sometime between the evening of October 21st and the morning of October 22nd. Only the head and antlers of the deer had been removed, the rest of the animal had been left to waste.
The November Crime of the Month can also be found under Cases - Mule Deer Shot and Left near Cupar
Watch the November Crime of the Month on YouTube
October 2009
On October 9th of 2009, a call was made to the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher line regarding migratory birds that were dumped at the Wynyard landfill. Conservation Officers discovered the remains of 21 ducks, 6 snow geese, and 2 Canada geese. They were whole birds that had been left to waste. Officers also found additional bird carcasses that had been cleaned. Evidence is leading the officers to believe that the hunters are from out of province, may have been staying at a house in Wynyard, and that the birds were hunted between October 5th and 9th, 2009.
Watch the October Crime of the Month on YouTube
September 2009
During the period from January 2009 to present there have been several reported occurrences regarding the deliberate and senseless killing of big game animals in West Central Saskatchewan. Conservation Officers have discovered three moose and six antelope in the Rosetown area and a mule deer near Coleville. In all of these cases, the animals were abandoned and left to rot. It is believed that a small group of individuals from the Rosetown area are involved in many of these incidents.
Watch the September Crime of the Month on Youtube
August 2009
Over the course of the last twelve years, there have been seven separate incidents where elk have been illegally shot at night. Twenty-three elk have been found dead in the Fort a la Corne Forest area near Smeaton, Snowden, and Choiceland. The suspects involved in there incidents may live in the Prince Albert area. In many instances, a .300 Winchester Magnum rifle was used. Hunting at night is illegal and is a threat to both the animals' and publics' safety.
Watch the August Crime of the Month on YouTube
July 2009
On Friday, March 27, 2009, Conservation Officers with the Ministry of Environment at Saskatoon received a call regarding five antelope that had been found dead in a field approximately 15km South of Allan and 23km West of Young, Saskatchewan. Conservation Officers responded to the call and upon investigation found the remains of five antelope in a field adjacent to Grid Road #764. It was determined that the antelope had been shot with a high-powered rifle and left without any portions of the animals taken. Analysis of the antelope carcasses placed their time of death sometime between the evening of March 25th and the morning of March 27th. There was no antelope season on at the time.
Watch the July Crime of the Month on YouTube
June 2009
In April of 2009, a call was made to the Ministry of Environment Turn In Poachers line regarding birds of prey found dead in a field. Approximately 4 miles East and 2 miles North of Paddockwood the remains of three bald eagles, one rough-legged hawk, and four ravens were found, along with the remains of a small domestic calf. It is believed that poison was the cause of the birds' death. When poisons or pesticides are used to illegally target coyotes, birds of prey are often affected. Ministry of Environment has programs and funding in cooperation with Ministry of Agriculture to deal with nuisance coyotes.
Watch the June Crime of the Month on YouTube
If you have information on any of the above cases or others, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help. Call the toll free TIP line, or #5555 from your Sasktel cell phone. Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for cash rewards through SaskTip if their information leads to a conviction.
