The province is getting tough on hunters who don’t follow the rules.
The provincial government introduced a number of changes to the wildlife act Tuesday including a lifetime licence ban for hunters who have three separate wildlife convictions.
Environment Minister Scott Moe says most hunters are law-abiding citizens and the new regulations are aimed at the few who don’t follow the rules.
“There are some people that choose to push the limits or break the laws and what we’re doing here today is we’re increasing the penalties to those that break, in particular, some of the more egregious offences that we have,” he says.
However, the environment minister says traditional Aboriginal hunting practices in northern Saskatchewan will not be affected by the amendments.
“The changes to the act today have to do with penalties for already existing infractions. It has no bearing on Aboriginal or Métis hunting rights.”
Moe says overall the changes are the result of government consultations with various wildlife groups.
As part of the changes, the length of time wildlife officers have to bring charges forward has been extended from two to three years.
There is also an automatic two-year suspension for serious conservation offences and hunters who have not paid wildlife-related fines will be prohibited from renewing licences.
People who are in arrears on family maintenance payments will be forbidden from purchasing hunting or angling licences and those conducting scientific surveys on wildlife or species at risk will now be required to obtain a licence.
The wildlife act amendments were introduced by the government in the legislature on Tuesday.