Two North Battleford area men - one a former Chief of Red Pheasant First Nation - have entered guilty pleas for five charges under The Wildlife Act and The Outfitter and Guide Regulations of illegal outfitting and export of wildlife.
Charles and Neal Meechance of Cando were each convicted of the charges last week in provincial court in North Battleford. They were fined a total of $24,500.
Charles Meechance was the former Red Pheasant chief who later was removed from office and eventually convicted for fraud in connection to vote buying in the run up to the 2005 Red Pheasant election.
The latest wildlife-related charges followed a two-year investigation by the Ministry of Environment. Charles received a total fine of $21,000 for three of the charges as well as a five-year hunting licence prohibition. Neal was fined $3,500 for the other two charges and also was slapped with a two-year hunting licence prohibition.
Conservation officers determined that Charles was acting as an outfitter without a provincial Outfitters' Licence and that Neal was unlawfully guiding American hunters for him. The two were also exporting trophy moose and white-tailed deer antlers without an export licence.
In a statement, provincial Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said his department was "pleased that the courts have agreed and imposed this significant penalty. I am confident that it will send the message that Saskatchewan's fish and wildlife resource is valued and will be protected.
"Illegal hunting and outfitting robs the people of Saskatchewan of the benefits of our natural resources and the provincial government will take whatever action is necessary to ensure those who abuse the resources are prosecuted," said Aube.
The department adds that anyone who is aware of, or who suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations, is encouraged to report it to the nearest Ministry of Environment office, or call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561, or #5555 from a SaskTel Mobility cell phone. Callers may be eligible for rewards through the SASKTIP Reward Program.
