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Poachers strike outside of Meadow Lake and Makwa

Jan 5, 2018 | 9:05 AM

In two separate cases of poaching in the Meadow Lake area, a total of four whitetail deer were found slain, and local conservation officers and Sasktip (Turn In Poachers) are searching for the culprits.

The incidents were reported to the authorities in late November, and they’ve been investigating since. Approximately 20 kilometres west of Meadow Lake in a location known as Oliver Swamp, three deer skulls were found in separate locations in the vicinity. Another lone deer carcass was found north of the Makwa Community Pasture left to waste.

Rich Hildebrand, a director with SaskTip, said many poaching cases tend to occur in the late months of the year across the province.

“Overall, it does happen every fall, we find this kind of stuff,” he said. “It’s a combination of people reporting the incidents and officers doing patrols.”

When asked if the number of cases is a ‘normal’ amount, Hildebrand said he is in the process of compiling and analyzing the number of incidents that occur all over Saskatchewan.

“I am trying to gather some information to see what the numbers are, and why this is happening,” he said. “It’s always a concern when this is happening and to find out who is doing it.”

In a previous interview with meadowlakeNOW, Hildebrand said poaching penalties can vary from a ticket and voluntary fine payment, and if the case goes to court it can be much higher, up to $100,000 depending on factors. He said when poachers do things like this, it takes away opportunities for legitimate hunters and the general public who enjoy wildlife.

As a part of Sasktip’s efforts to create more awareness for poaching cases overall, Hildebrand said a number of people are engaging on social media channels

“It’s another tool we use,” he said. “It makes the public a bit more aware that this is going on, and if they’re concerned the phone in. We’ve had some successes with it.”

Hildebrand encouraged anyone with information regarding either of these cases to contact Turn In Poachers line 1-800-667-7561, dial #5555 from a Sasktel cellphone, or report online at saskatchewan.ca/tip.

 

kathy.gallant@jpbg.ca  

On Twitter @ReporterKath