The charges stem from the discovery of two bull moose and one white-tailed deer that were illegally shot in November 2011. Following up on calls to the Ministry of Environment’s Turn In Poachers (TIP) line, conservation officers identified a suspect, and learned that he had falsified documents by using another person’s First Nations Treaty Number. The officers also found him to be in unlawful possession of a processed black bear rug.
“People who kill animals illegally are stealing from the law-abiding hunters of our province,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Enforcement Director Ken Aube said. “Our laws are designed to provide effective management of wildlife populations to ensure hunting opportunities are available now and in the future.”
Dustin Hoskins, aged 35, was fined $2,100 on one count of unlawful hunting moose, $1,400 for unlawful possession of white-tailed deer, $700 for unlawful possession of black bear and $480 for one count of falsifying a document.
Hoskins was also fined $320 for resisting arrest and was suspended from hunting for two years. All items seized were forfeited to the Crown.
In addition, Corby Obyrne, 38, of Weyburn was found guilty of aiding and abetting Hoskins in the unlawful harvest of the moose. He was fined $1,500 and given a one year hunting suspension.
If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, please call your local Ministry of Environment office, Saskatchewan’s toll-free TIP line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cellular subscribers, or report a violation online at www.saskatchewan.ca/conservation. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTip Reward Program.
