NORTH BATTLEFORD — A Red Pheasant Cree Nation man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection with complaints of unlawful outfitting in the Wilkie area in October 2024.
North Battleford Conservation Officers began their investigation on Oct. 11, 2024, when they encountered a vehicle believed to be involved in hunting. When officers activated emergency lights to conduct a compliance check, the vehicle fled. A second conservation officer encountered the vehicle a short while later and attempted another stop, but the vehicle once again evaded officers. RCMP were contacted to assist, and despite efforts to stop the vehicle, including tire deflation devices, the vehicle continued to flee before being tracked to a residence on the Red Pheasant Cree Nation. The investigation led to Elliot Meechance of Red Pheasant Cree Nation being charged with unlawful hunting and several other offences.
On July 31, Meechance pleaded guilty to driving while prohibited, failing to stop for a peace officer and outfitting without a licence. He was sentenced to 379 days in custody, followed by two years of probation, a one-year driving prohibition and a three-year hunting suspension.
An American resident, who was being unlawfully guided by Meechance, was also fined $1,400 for engaging in unlawful hunting.
This is not a first-time offence for Meechance, who was fined a total of $10,000 for guiding without a licence and aiding and abetting unlawful hunting, with an additional fine of $1,560 for operating a motor vehicle while disqualified in Biggar Provincial Court in 2016. At that time, Meechance had two previous convictions related to unlawful outfitting activities in the past 15 months.
If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call Saskatchewan's Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or report online at saskatchewan.ca/tipp. You can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward from the SaskTIP Reward Program.
