Spring 2011 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 Sasktel cellular #5555 and any other program that deters fisheries, wildlife, and environmental crime

Current Board of Directors

SaskTip Shows Appreciation to Contributing Rural Municipalities

Each year at the SARM convention, a draw is made for a framed print which every Rural Municipality that has provided $100 toward SaskTip is eligible to win. This print is donated by Ducks Unlimited which is represented on the SaskTip Board by current Chairperson Brent Kennedy.

Left: RM of Loon Lake Reeve Harvey Dimond and Administrator Jackie Regnier accept the Ducks Unlimited print from Conservation Officer Verne Larson on behalf of SaskTip for 2009.
Right: RM of Garry Administrator Tanis Ferguson accepts the Ducks Unlimited print from Conservation Officer Dan Sakal on behalf of SaskTip for 2010.

2009-2010 SaskTip Advertisement Summary

Turn In Poacher Calls

Rewards Paid Out Through SaskTip

Sponsorship Opportunity

SaskTip has developed a high profile media campaign in Saskatchewan. SaskTip is informing the public of some of the illegal activity threatening our natural resources and the environment through the CTV affiliate networks in the province. SaskTip has initiated Crime Stopper style ads on the noon and 6:00pm CTV news hours featuring individual crimes against our natural resources and environment in Saskatchewan. The ad is featured for that month and a new advertisement is produced and featured for each subsequent month for a total of 12 ads per year. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment's Fish & Wildlife Development Fund has generously shown their support by contributing $20,000 towards the promotion of Sasktip. This support was used to initiate the Crime of the Month program in 2009 and 2010. Sasktip continues to have the need to partner with another major sponsor to continue this initiative in 2011 and is currently in the process of seeking such a sponsor. If there is an individual, or business who wishes to be involved in this program by supporting it financially, please contact any one of the Board of Directors for SaskTip.

Noteworthy Solved Cases

July 16, 2009: A report was made to the provincial TIP line of a bull moose apparently shot and abandoned 6km north of Aylsham, SK. Investigation by officers showed that the animal had been killed with a .22 calibre rifle and had suffered significantly before death. This particular moose had been observed in the area by landowners for about two weeks prior to it being killed.

SaskTip and Crimestopper advertisements about this offense were placed in the local area. Solid information from the public was received by officers due to these ads. The subsequent investigation revealed that several subjects were drinking alcohol in the area that day and one of them shot the moose. He admitted firing five full magazines of .22 rounds at the animal. In addition to killing the moose damage was caused to a grain bin and tractor in the immediate area. No effort had been made to salvage the moose by the subjects.

The shooter was eventually fined $1400 and suspended from hunting for unlawfully killing the moose and additional Criminal Code charges for impaired driving and wilful damage were laid against the individuals involved. Quite often, people who commit fish or wildlife crimes will also be involved in other criminal activity.

July 27, 2009: A report to the provincial TIP line was made about a moose being shot and left in a marsh in the Carrot River area along highway 55. The moose had been abandoned in about a metre of water and had been left to waste.

Upon investigating the case a rifle slug was removed from the carcass. With no immediate suspects a SaskTip advertisement was placed in local newspapers and SaskTip posters were placed in nearby communities. Information was received from the public due to these ads and a suspect was identified. He admitted to committing the offense and was fined $980 and suspended from hunting for a specified period. The case was solved due to the SaskTip ad being placed.

The SaskTip Program Continues to Expand
Ongoing support from the public and the partners who form the Board Directors are crucial to the continued success of the program.

Donations can be sent to:
SASKTIP INC.
P.O. BOX 114
MEATH PARK, SK S0J 1T0

Or made by phoning:
(306) 425-4244

You can also support SaskTip by asking your local conservation officer about becoming a SaskTip member for a $10.00 fee. Members and Corporate Donors will receive an annual newsletter highlighting SaskTip successes in the detection of resource and environmental violations.