A discovery of 142 migratory birds’ bodies on private property near Saskatoon has sparked outrage among hunters and wildlife organizations in the region. The incident, reported on Oct. 16, took place about 30 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon, near Patience Lake. Authorities in Saskatoon have not yet identified the perpetrators but have released a photo of a truck believed to be connected to the case.
The Conservation Officer Service in Saskatoon has launched an investigation and is seeking information from the public. SaskTips, an independent tip line, is offering a $2,000 cash reward for any details leading to an arrest.
Chris Maier, an inspector with the Conservation Officer Service, expressed disappointment over the incident, citing irresponsible hunting practices that result in wastage of animals. He mentioned that such occurrences are unfortunately not uncommon and can lead to significant fines for multiple offenses related to trespassing, littering, and not harvesting animals.
Jordan Rowswell, the owner of 12 Gauge Outfitting in Battleford, Saskatchewan, condemned the incident, emphasizing the wastefulness and negative impact it has on the hunting community’s reputation. He highlighted the high standards upheld by outfitting companies in the province, which prioritize ethical hunting practices.
Rowswell, who also serves on the board of the Saskatchewan Commission of Professional Outfitters, mentioned that responsible hunters have various options for utilizing hunted animals, such as freezing the meat for later use or donating it to family and food banks.
Lack of Restrictions on Snow Geese Hunting
The discovery of the bird carcasses has raised concerns among social media users regarding freelance hunters not associated with outfitting groups and the unrestricted accumulation of snow geese. While hunters are limited to collecting 20 snow geese per day, there is no overall possession limit due to the overabundant classification of snow geese and Ross’s geese by the Canadian government.
For other duck species like mallards and Canada geese, hunters are restricted to collecting eight birds per day and possessing a maximum of 24 at any given time.
According to Maier, the majority of the animal carcasses found near Patience Lake were snow geese, with a few ducks and a single Canada goose among them.
Daryl Crabbe, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, expressed concerns about the influx of freelance hunters in the province, attributing it to limitations on hunting licenses in neighboring provinces like Alberta and Manitoba. He noted an increase in hunters, particularly from the United States, due to more lenient regulations in Saskatchewan.
Unlike Alberta and Manitoba, Saskatchewan does not impose term limits on non-Canadian hunters, enabling prolonged hunting periods for groups, potentially leading to excessive accumulation of bird carcasses.
While the possibility of non-resident hunters being involved in the dumping incident was considered, Maier emphasized that there is no concrete evidence pointing to external involvement. He mentioned various potential scenarios, including involvement from outfitters, guides, or residents with connections to the United States.
