by Art Jones
For many people a snowmobile ride is one of the joys of winter. The sound of the machine, the beauty of the snow-covered land, lakes and rivers and the crisp cold air all add to the thrill of the ride. Sometimes there is even the extra bonus of seeing some wildlife.
But what some do when they see that wildlife is against the law. They like to use their snowmobiles to chase and even kill the animals, especially coyotes.
"People should take a minute to think about what they're doing before they run down an animal," says Environment's Lucyshyn.
"In Saskatchewan, animals in the wild spend most of their time simply trying to survive the winter. So when someone goes after them with a snowmobile they don't have a chance. Not only do they get terribly frightened, the snow is usually too deep for them to run very far without becoming exhausted, while a snowmobile never gets tired. Conservation officers have even found deer that have been chased for so long they simply died of exhaustion. Chasing
and killing any animal like this is not a sport, it is an act of the most extreme cruelty."
Someone convicted of pursuing animals with snowmobiles or any vehicle can face significant fines. The maximum penalty under the Wildlife Act is $100,000. A court case from this past autumn saw a trio of men from British Columbia lose both their hunting and driving privileges after they were convicted of using their vehicle to chase deer. People also need permission to snowmobile on private land.
Many producers have crops such as alfalfa or winter wheat that can be easily damaged by snowmobiles. People who do not get permission to go on someone's land are technically trespassing and can be asked to leave.
All animals, even coyotes, have a role to play in the environment. Although coyotes occasionally bother stock their main food is small animals such as mice and rabbits. Autopsies on animals run over by snowmobiles have shown nothing more in their stomachs than the remains of small animals.
"Like most wild animals coyotes are opportunists," says Saskatchewan Environment conservation officer, Doug Lucyshyn.
"Sometimes a free meal is easiest for them so they'll wander into farmyards, particularly at calving time. They will sometimes take a newborn calf or feed on a dead one. If there are any dead animals farmers should haul them far enough away from the calving area or bury them so the coyotes won't be drawn in."
There are many ways to prevent the loss of livestock to predators and producers should contact their local conservation officer if they are having problems.
In recent years predator numbers have increased and it's legal for Saskatchewan residents to hunt and trap coyotes and foxes outside of the Fur Conservation Blocks, year round, without a license. However, anyone wishing to sell the pelts has to buy a fur license. People must remember that they still need permission from the landowner or occupant to hunt or trap on
their property.
"Chasing animals is simply not worth the effort and it is also dangerous," says Lucyshyn.
"People have been badly hurt while using snowmobiles to chase wildlife. When you are going at a high rate of speed it is easy to hit a rock, fence or other obstruction. Your life isn't worth the pelt of a coyote or fox."
"There are a lot of wide open spaces in Saskatchewan," says Environment's Lucyshyn. "However, there are many people in the country that may see this type of activity and we are asking people who see someone being cruel like this to call the local conservation officer. He or she will act as quickly as possible."
People can also call the toll-free "Turn-In-Poachers" line at
1-800-667-7561.
For more information contact:
Doug Lucyshyn
Saskatchewan Environment
Conservation Officer
(306) 948-3588
dlucyshyn@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
For many people a snowmobile ride is one of the joys of winter. The sound of the machine, the beauty of the snow-covered land, lakes and rivers and the crisp cold air all add to the thrill of the ride. Sometimes there is even the extra bonus of seeing some wildlife.
But what some do when they see that wildlife is against the law. They like to use their snowmobiles to chase and even kill the animals, especially coyotes.
"People should take a minute to think about what they're doing before they run down an animal," says Environment's Lucyshyn.
"In Saskatchewan, animals in the wild spend most of their time simply trying to survive the winter. So when someone goes after them with a snowmobile they don't have a chance. Not only do they get terribly frightened, the snow is usually too deep for them to run very far without becoming exhausted, while a snowmobile never gets tired. Conservation officers have even found deer that have been chased for so long they simply died of exhaustion. Chasing
and killing any animal like this is not a sport, it is an act of the most extreme cruelty."
Someone convicted of pursuing animals with snowmobiles or any vehicle can face significant fines. The maximum penalty under the Wildlife Act is $100,000. A court case from this past autumn saw a trio of men from British Columbia lose both their hunting and driving privileges after they were convicted of using their vehicle to chase deer. People also need permission to snowmobile on private land.
Many producers have crops such as alfalfa or winter wheat that can be easily damaged by snowmobiles. People who do not get permission to go on someone's land are technically trespassing and can be asked to leave.
All animals, even coyotes, have a role to play in the environment. Although coyotes occasionally bother stock their main food is small animals such as mice and rabbits. Autopsies on animals run over by snowmobiles have shown nothing more in their stomachs than the remains of small animals.
"Like most wild animals coyotes are opportunists," says Saskatchewan Environment conservation officer, Doug Lucyshyn.
"Sometimes a free meal is easiest for them so they'll wander into farmyards, particularly at calving time. They will sometimes take a newborn calf or feed on a dead one. If there are any dead animals farmers should haul them far enough away from the calving area or bury them so the coyotes won't be drawn in."
There are many ways to prevent the loss of livestock to predators and producers should contact their local conservation officer if they are having problems.
In recent years predator numbers have increased and it's legal for Saskatchewan residents to hunt and trap coyotes and foxes outside of the Fur Conservation Blocks, year round, without a license. However, anyone wishing to sell the pelts has to buy a fur license. People must remember that they still need permission from the landowner or occupant to hunt or trap on
their property.
"Chasing animals is simply not worth the effort and it is also dangerous," says Lucyshyn.
"People have been badly hurt while using snowmobiles to chase wildlife. When you are going at a high rate of speed it is easy to hit a rock, fence or other obstruction. Your life isn't worth the pelt of a coyote or fox."
"There are a lot of wide open spaces in Saskatchewan," says Environment's Lucyshyn. "However, there are many people in the country that may see this type of activity and we are asking people who see someone being cruel like this to call the local conservation officer. He or she will act as quickly as possible."
People can also call the toll-free "Turn-In-Poachers" line at
1-800-667-7561.
For more information contact:
Doug Lucyshyn
Saskatchewan Environment
Conservation Officer
(306) 948-3588
dlucyshyn@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
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