A Kamsack man was recently found guilty of two charges under the Saskatchewan Wildlife Act and Regulations and fined $1,200 in provincial court.
In October 2015, Ministry of Environment conservation officers received information from a call to the Turn In Poachers line about ongoing night hunting in an area southwest of the town of Pelly, said a release from the Ministry.
While on night patrol, officers observed the occupant of a vehicle shining a spotlight into a field and, at one point, the spotlight was shone on the patrol vehicle parked in a field, with the officers inside, the release said.
Conservation officers initiated a vehicle stop and determined the occupant was hunting under his treaty rights and admitted to not having permission to hunt on that land.
The following day it was also determined that the hunting incident took place near a residence that was unable to be seen due to darkness, it said. This can pose a significant safety risk to homeowners.
The use of a spotlight is prohibited in Saskatchewan, except on First Nation reserves, subject to band bylaws.
Robert Severight, 39, was fined a total $1,200 for the use of a searchlight to hunt, and hunting within 500 metres of a residence. Severight’s firearm and spotlight were forfeited to the Crown.
In 2014, Severight was also fined for not obtaining landowner permission to hunt, it said. Anyone exercising treaty hunting rights must obtain landowner permission to hunt on private land or occupied Crown land.
Persons who suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations are urged to call the Ministry of Environment office or Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers line at 1-800-667-7561.
