SaskTip Crime of the Month
December 2011
During the winter months, it is not uncommon for fish peddlars to sell fish door to door or from the back of their vehicles. When purchasing fish from a peddlar, make sure the transaction between you and the fish peddlar is legal. You should inspect the fish to ensure it is good quality and that it is the type of fish that you want to purchase. You must be provided with a receipt for all the fish purchased. Your receipt must show the date, the company name, peddlar name, license number, type of fish and form of fish, its weight, the price you paid, your name, and the signature of the peddlar. In addition, if a commercial fisherman is selling the fish, his receipt also requires the name of the lake the fish were taken from. If you have information regarding the illegal sale of fish, call the Turn in Poacher Line.
November 2011
On November 14th, 2011 Greenwater conservation officers received information regarding a 5 by 5 bull elk that had been shot and left to waste in a field approximately 10 ½ kilometres south of Porcupine Plain. Conservation officers investigated the scene and located the bull elk approximately 250 yards from the road. It was determined that the elk was shot some time during the evening of Sunday November 13th. Vehicle tracks leading in and out of the field along with other evidence was collected at the scene however the public’s assistance is needed to solve this crime.
October 2011
During the early morning hours on October 6, 2011 five moose were shot and killed in a field near Gronlid, SK. Two bulls, a cow, and two calf moose were then dragged behind a willow bush where they were field dressed. One bull moose was removed from the site and the four remaining moose were left to waste. An older white truck and an adult male and female were observed at the scene. Conservation Officers have collected evidence from the scene but need the public's help to solve this case.
September 2011 - Unsolved from September 2010 Crime of the Month
On August 7, 2010 Loon Lake Conservation Officers received information that the remains of two dead cow elk were found in a pea field between Spruce Lake and Turtleford, SK. Officers attended the scene and determined that the elk had been shot earlier that day on private land. There was no hunting season open for elk on at this time.
August 2011
On May 14th, 2011 around 11:30pm, a wildfire was reported to Pierceland Conservation Officers. The fire was burning along the north side of a trail, approximately 50 meters east of a known party spot in the area of Inspiration Point, also known as Bear Point, in Meadow Lake Provincial Park. The fire spread quickly and grew to approximately 2650 hectares and threatened nearby properties. If you have information regarding this case or others like it, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
July 2011
At approximately 4pm on Monday, May 30th a wildfire started one and a half kilometers from the community of Wollaston Post. Conservation Officers investigated the area where the fire had started and had determined that the fire was human caused. The fire spread rapidly and was a serious threat to the safety of the residents of Wollaston Post. The community was evacuated as a result of the danger of the fire. If you have information related to this incident, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
June 2011
On May 7, 2011 Nipawin Conservation Officers received information regarding a whitetail deer and fawn shot out of season and left to waste approximately 10km north of Whitefox, SK. Conservation Officers investigated the scene and determined that the deer had been shot May 5th, 2011. The vehicle driven by the suspects had large tires with aggressive tread, possibly BF Goodrich Krawler maximum traction tire. If you have any information related to this incident, such as a description of the suspects or vehicle involved, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
May 2011
On November 23rd, 2009 Estevan Conservation Officers received a call regarding a calf moose that had been shot and left to waste in a field near Viewfield in the rural municipality of Benson. There was no open season for moose in the area at that time. Officers investigated the scene and determined that the animal had been shot approximately 3 days prior to receiving the public report. Evidence was collected from the scene but the public's assistance is needed to solve this outstanding case.
April 2011
On Wednesday March 30th, 2011 Kindersley Conservation Officers received information through the Turn In Poacher Line that several deer had been found dead just on the outskirts of Kerrobert, SK. Conservation Officers attended the scene and determined that at least 5 mule deer and a red fox had been shot and left to waste. Because of the proximity to the community of Kerrobert this crime posed a high risk to public safety. Physical evidence has been recovered from the scene however the public's assistance is still needed to solve this case.
March 2011
On November 28th, 2010 a call was made to the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher Line regarding a bull moose that had been shot and left to waste approximately 15 miles west of Hudson Bay along Highway #9. There was no open moose season at the time. Conservation Officers conducted an investigation of the scene and collected evidence related to this incident. Two individuals in a 1996-2002 black Chevrolet regular cab truck are believed to be involved. If you have information regarding this incident, such as details related to the license plate number, land location, and the description of the people involved it could be useful in solving this case or others like it.
February 2011
On November 5th, 2010 Loon Lake Conservation Officers received information through the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher Line that four whitetail buck had been shot and left to waste on private land approximately 3.5 km north of St. Walburg, SK. Conservation Officers conducted an investigation of the scene and have collected evidence related to this incident. However the public's assistance is needed to help solve this case.
January 2011
On November 13th, 2010 North Battleford Conservation Officers received information through the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher Line that a large whitetail buck had been shot and taken approximately 6 miles west and 2 miles south of Edam, SK. The deer was shot at approximately 6:45pm near a Husky Battery Station. There was no open season for whitetail deer at that time. Conservation Officers are looking for two individuals that were seen in a silver Dodge quad cab truck with box rails. The public's help is needed to solve this case.
December 2010
On November 11, 2010 North Battleford Conservation Officers received information through the Ministry of Environment's Turn In Poacher Line that 3 bull elk were shot and left to waste approximately 8 miles west and 2 miles south of Sonningdale, SK. Officers attended the scene and determined that the elk were shot during the early morning hours. There is no hunting season open for elk in this area. The public's help is needed to solve this case.
November 2010
On October 22, 2010 a Greenwater District Conservation Officer discovered a cow moose that had been recently killed and left to waste in a field approximately five miles east and two miles north of Mckague, SK. A closer inspection of the animal indicated that it had been shot in the head/spine area earlier that day. There was no open season for moose in that zone during that time. The Public's help is needed to solve this case. If you have any information regarding this case or others, details in relation to a licence plate number, vehicle description, land location and/or description of the people involved can be very useful in solving the crime.
October 2010
Each year the Ministry of Environment receives several complaints from the public regarding the unlawful marketing of fish. Fish may be purchased for personal consumption from a licensed commercial fisherman or fish dealer. By law vendors must provide a receipt that indicates the sellers name, address, and license number. It must also state where the fish were caught, the quantity, sale price, and date of the purchase. The receipt is your authorization to possess the fish as there is no limit on how much you can buy. Any person purchasing or being offered fish products they believe may be illegal or where a receipt is not provided is asked to call the Turn In Poachers Line or #5555 from a Sasktel cell phone.
September 2010
On August 7, 2010 Loon Lake Conservation Officers received information that the remains of two dead cow elk were found in a pea field between Spruce Lake and Turtleford, SK. Officers attended the scene and determined that the elk had been shot earlier that day on private land. There was no hunting season open for elk on at this time.
August 2010
During the spring and summer of 2010 several calls were made to the Turn In Poacher line regarding anglers who were over limit fishing or wasting fish in the Last Mountain Lake area. It is illegal to take more fish than the specified daily limit. A daily limit includes fish that have been eaten, given away, or cleaned and stored. Anglers who exceed the daily limit or waste fish can receive fines to a maximum of $1000. Fishing limits are in place to maintain a sustainable fishery so that anglers and other users may enjoy the resources in the future.
June 2010
On June 1, 2010 a call was made to 911 regarding a fire burning in the ditch along Highway 3, five kilometres west of Prince Albert, SK. Conservation Officers located two fires that were 100 yards apart that had burned the grass area of the ditch but had not reached the jack pine forest. An investigation revealed that a person seen hitch-hiking in the area was likely responsible for starting the fires. The hitch-hiker was male and was wearing a red shirt. The subject had been attempting to catch a ride going west. If you have information on this case or others, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
May 2010
On Sunday March 28, 2010, Kindersley Conservation Officers received information through the Turn In Poacher line that three Pronghorn Antelope had been found dead at various locations 10 miles south of Eston, SK and east along the Tyner Grid.Officers attended the scene and determined that the antelope were shot and left to waste. Evidence was recovered from the scene but public assistance is required to solve this case.
April 2010
On Friday, March 26, 2010, twenty-five bags of garbage were found dumped at a pull-off at the corner of Highway #2 and Grid #165, approximately 55km southwest of La Ronge. There was a highway litter disposal site, as well as two landfills in the area, where the garbage could have been properly disposed of. Conservation Officers suspect that the garbage may be from an exploration work camp in the area. The unlawful disposal of garbage in our provincial forest and on crown lands is becoming a major concern. It is both unsightly and can harm our environment. If you have information on this case or others, Conservation Officers would appreciate your help.
March 2010
Over the course of the past three years, there have been four separate incidents involving five elk that have been illegally shot in the Strasbourg Hills, east of the communities of Strasbourg and Duval. In most of the cases, the animals were shot from a road, on posted land and within 500m of occupied buildings. In all cases except one, only the quickest and easiest portions of the meat from the animals were taken. Conservation Officers are looking for the public's assistance in solving this matter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 animal's and public's safety.
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.
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.
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.