Multiple reports of elk being shot and left to waste around the province has conservation officers busy and farmers and landowners frustrated.
A short-term hunting season for antler-less elk was November 20-27. When the season was announced October 2 by the provincial government, Environment Minister Trais Keisig said in a news release the hunt was intended to "address the conflict between elk and agricultural producers and landowners".
It came as the Ministry of Environment and the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation had fielded complaints from farmers and landowners in recent years over damage to property and products, according to a statement from provincial government.
"We do understand the need to balance agricultural needs and wildlife needs, but our opinion is that there were different ways we could have gone about it to achieve the goals that they were looking to hit." said Todd Smith, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, noting the season applied to Wildlife Management Zones 1 through 55.
Smith said they've recently fielded at least 20 complaints through calls, texts, and emails over issues such as poaching and hunting on land without permission.
"Leaving animals to waste is certainly unacceptable from a hunter ethic standpoint, as well as being illegal. It's a waste of resources, a waste of game." Smith stated, adding its frustrating to hear.
"Our goal is to ensure that the wildlife legacy that we leave our children surpasses that which we inherited. And for the waste of game, for the potential reduction in future populations, the recruitment for years to come, it doesn't align with what we set out to what we would like to see as far as wildlife management goes." he added.
Three of the most recent posts on the SaskTips Facebook Page are related to cow elks shot and left to waste in other areas of the province during the antler-less elk season.
On November 23, Spiritwood conservation officers located a dead cow elk near Rabbit Lake while on patrol and a second cow elk was found three days later. Officers believe those responsible were shooting into a herd of elk and possibly unaware they had shot and killed multiple animals. In an update, SaskTips said officers salvaged one of the elk for processing and the meat harvested will be donated to a local food drive.
Also on November 23, Humboldt conservation officers received a call on the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) Line that a bull elk was shot and left to waste southwest of the village of Plunkett, Saskatchewan. Officers note there was no open season for bull elk and believe whomever shot it was hunting for antler-less elk at the time.
Then on November 26, conservation officers from Nipawin found a cow elk that was shot and left to waste southeast of the community of Garrick, Saskatchewan. No meat was harvested.
Some Facebook users in the comment section expressed their anger for these incidents with some putting the blame on the Environment Ministry.
Asked if there is anything that can be done about the issue, Smith said conversations with the government officials is the plan.
"But that's going to take time, right? They have to compile all the data first. It'll be interesting to see that data when it comes out as far as the number of licenses sold per zone and whether or not it achieved the goals that they were looking for it to achieve," he said. "What was the harvest rate success? All those are going to play into the conversations that we're going to have, as well as is there a better way to go about implementing and finding that balance with season dates as well as their hitting their objectives that they want for wildlife management?"
Now that the season concluded, the government said "hunter harvest surveys will be used to assess both harvest levels and hunters’ success of obtaining landowner access. The results will be considered in future wildlife management planning."
The province also reminds the public that any information they send through the TIPP Line is not in vain. In 2024, the line received 1,534 reports of illegal hunting, fishing and timber harvesting, as well as environmental offences such as illegal dumping or burning. Those reports led to 3,089 written warnings and 1,833 charges laid.
People can submit tips through the phone line at 1-800-667-7561, online through saskatchewan.ca/tipp or the SaskTips Facebook Page, or contacting their local field office.
The province says all calls and submissions are confidential and if the information results in a conviction, people are eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 through the SaskTips Reward Program.
