Spring 2009 Newsletter

The Objectives of SaskTip

  • Creating, maintaining, and distributing a reward fund to encourage the public to provide Saskatchewan Conservation Officers with information which leads to the discovery and/or prosecution of fisheries, wildlife, forestry, and environmental law violators
  • Providing public information on the incidence and detrimental impact of fisheries, wildlife, forestry, and environmental law violators
  • Working with public and private agencies to provide funding to promote the province's toll free Turn In Poacher (TIP) line 1-800-667-7561 or cellular #5555 and any other program that deters fisheries, wildlife, and environmental crime

2008 Call Summary

Sasktip Case # Field Area Occurence Date Circumstances
ST-185 North Battleford 2008/02/21 Mule deer doe shot and left
ST-186 Battleford Park 2008/04/04 Unmarked ice shelter left on ice
ST-187 Moose Mountain 2008/04/30 Vandalism and theft of 14 conibear traps
ST-188 Buffalo Narrows 2008/06/11 Arson fire
ST-189 Meadow Lake 2008/10/17 Vandalism of campground toilets
ST-190 Hudson Bay 2008/10/27 Bull elk shot and left
ST-191 Leader 2008/11/03 At least 7 mule deer bucks shot and left
ST-192 Meadow Lake 2008/11/20 Cow moose shot and left
ST-193 Nipawin 2008/11/22 Mule deer buck shot and left
ST-194 Pierceland 2008/11/25 White-tail buck shot and only head removed
ST-195 Nipawin 2008/11/29 Five white-tail deer shot and left
ST-196 Weyburn 2008/12/02 Bull moose shot and left
ST-197 Cumberland House 2008/12/26 & 31 Deer shot in town, only antlers taken off one
ST-198 Leader 2008/11/17 Bull elk shot, only head and antlers removed
ST-199 Preeceville 2008/10/29 Bull moose shot and left

Total: 15

Turn in Poacher Calls

YEAR WILDLIFE CALLS FISHERIES CALLS ENVIRONMENT CALLS FORESTRY CALLS MISC CALLS TOTAL CALLS
2006 713 85 96 7 24 925
2007 699 79 131 12 15 936
2008 734 78 117 0 12 941

Noteworthy Observations

ST192, ST196, & ST199 - The shooting and leaving of moose to rot in Saskatchewan continues to be a problem. Three cases were advertised this year looking for evidence to convict the shooter. These moose are being found shot during the time of year when there are no moose seasons on, so it certainly is not a case of mistaken identity. This is a tremendous waste of a unique game animal and shows absolutely no respect for wildlife.

ST198 - One particularly repugnant poaching incident involved a 5x6 bull elk killed in the Great Sand Hills on the Chomistek Ranch in November. The poacher removed the head with antlers and left the carcass to rot. There was no elk season on at the time. Someone would value the antlers only and not ensure that the meat was not wasted should be fully prosecuted under the law.

ST189 - A metal toilet was vandalized in late October at the Pagan Lake Campground located NE of Meadow Lake. A 4x4 truck deliberately rammed the toilet and broke the internal mid steel structure and knocked it off the cement pad. The cost to replace this toilet is approximately $8,000. Vandalism in the parks threatens the integrity of our park system and places a huge financial burden to the operational cost of maintaining and providing services for park users.

ST188 - On June 11 a forest fire was reported south of the Turnor Lake turnoff. With dry conditions and high winds, this event took off and became a large forest fire. Investigation revealed that this was an arson fire. To extinguish a forest fire costs a lot of money and is quite dangerous. There is also the added cost of the timber that is destroyed and the loss of the scenic beauty of the forest.

ALL THE CASES ABOVE STILL REQUIRE INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC TO SOLVE THESE CRIMES