WHEREAS 85% of land in southern Saskatchewan is privately owned or controlled; and

WHEREAS more hunting licences are being sold online without any personal contact with the Ministry officials; and

WHEREAS more problems are occurring between hunters and landowners about the right of access to private land (whether posted or not);

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministry of Environment to place more emphasis in the Hunter and Trapper’s Guide about obtaining permission to hunt on private lands.

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT'S RESPONSE

The Ministry of Environment appreciates the stewardship role that landowners play regarding wildlife management.   The ministry addresses landowner-hunter relations by working with stakeholder groups representing both hunters and landowners  and solicits recommendations that have the potential to improve  hunter-landowner relations. Hunting seasons are established with landowner concerns taken into account by avoiding the harvest or grazing season when possible and by minimizing hunter concentrations. All complaints  pertaining to hunting on posted land or damage to crops or property are promptly investigated by enforcement staff.

The ministry supports and encourages improved hunter-landowner relations and will be enhancing information on obtaining landowner  permission in the Hunters' and Trappers' Guide and on its website.