WHEREAS producers of Saskatchewan feed the wildlife (deer, elk, moose, waterfowl, etc.) through foraging our grain/hay; and

WHEREAS all of the people of Saskatchewan benefit from this with no compensation to the producers;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM petition the Provincial Government that all farmers/ranchers be able to apply for a free hunting license for control of the aforementioned wildlife.

Response from Honourable Nancy Heppner, Minister of Environment:

The ministry recognizes that landowners are critical to the maintenance of wildlife populations in southern Saskatchewan and appreciates rural and agricultural producer perspectives when developing hunting seasons and harvest quotas. The current model of wildlife management is based upon the premise that the wildlife resources belong to all residents of Saskatchewan and that residents should be treated equally when allocating hunting licences.

There are a number of prevention and compensation programs that assist producers when they experience damage from wildlife. Of particular note, the province has enhanced compensation under Saskatchewan Crop Insurance to include 100 per cent of losses when damage to stored or standing field crops is incurred by producers.

The ministry understands that wildlife populations concentrate at certain times of the year and this can be difficult to control with regular harvest quotas and prevention techniques. Therefore, landowners who have undertaken appropriate prevention measures and continue to experience chronic damage may be granted free depredation permits to distribute to resident hunters in order to harvest additional animals in a given area.