A discovery of 142 migratory birds discarded on private property near Saskatoon has incited outrage among hunters and wildlife organizations in the region. The individuals responsible for this act remain unidentified. Saskatoon conservation officers have shared an image of a truck linked to the incident, which took place around October 16 on private land approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon, near Patience Lake.
An independent tip line called SaskTips is offering a $2,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest in this case. Chris Maier, an inspector with the Conservation Officer Service, expressed disappointment, stating that such incidents occur too frequently due to irresponsible hunters who choose to waste animals rather than handle them appropriately.
Maier highlighted that violators could face fines exceeding $20,000 when considering penalties for trespassing, littering, and failing to harvest animals. Jordan Rowswell, the owner of 12 Gauge Outfitting in Battleford, Saskatchewan, condemned the wasteful act, emphasizing the loss of both meat and a valuable resource. Rowswell, who also serves on the board of the Saskatchewan Commission of Professional Outfitters, noted that reputable outfitting companies in the province adhere to high standards and would not jeopardize their licenses by engaging in such behavior.
The incident has sparked discussions on social media regarding unguided hunters and the abundance of snow geese. Unlike other waterfowl species with daily and possession limits, hunters have no overall cap on the number of snow geese they can possess due to their classification as overabundant by the Canadian government.
Of the 142 bird carcasses discovered near Patience Lake, 129 were snow geese, with the remaining being various duck species and a single Canada goose. Daryl Crabbe, the executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, expressed concerns about the influx of freelance hunters in the province, suggesting a rise in illegal outfitting activities. Crabbe highlighted the absence of term limits for hunting migratory birds in Saskatchewan compared to neighboring provinces like Alberta and Manitoba, which restrict non-Canadian hunters to specific consecutive days.
The lack of term limits in Saskatchewan has reportedly attracted American hunters who may stay for extended periods, accumulating bird carcasses without an easy disposal method. While the possibility of non-resident hunters being involved has been raised, Maier mentioned that conclusive evidence linking the perpetrators to individuals from outside Saskatchewan is currently unavailable.