Permission required to hunt on private or occupied crown land
Res #: 36-16A
Number: 36
Year: 2016
Midterm: No
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
WHEREAS the number of hunters is increasing due to the population increase in Saskatchewan; and
WHEREAS the number of occurrences of problems relating to hunters accessing land
to hunt, causing field and crop damage; and
WHEREAS changes made to the hunting synopsis emphasizing obtaining permission prior to hunting is not having a positive affect;
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Minister of Environment to change The Wildlife Act to make it a requirement to have permission to hunt on private or occupied crown land.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
June 7, 2016
Maintaining a positive relationship between landowners and hunters is a longstanding Ministry of Environment objective. The ministry fully understands that landowner concerns regarding hunting are very important and that private farm land holds the vast majority of wildlife in Saskatchewan.
Existing regulations offer landowners absolute control over access to their land, allowing them to post “no hunting” or “hunting with permission only” signs. In addition, all hunters must obtain landowner permission before entering any land within 500 metres of occupied residences. The ministry offers free signage to landowners stipulating hunting must be on foot only, advising hunters of fall-seeded fields and notifying that gates must be closed. As part of our mandate to protect wildlife and people, conservation officers fully investigate all landowner complaints regarding hunters.
In partnership with conservation organizations, the ministry actively promotes respect for private land and encourages all hunters to ask permission before entering private land. New hunters must complete the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education course, which stresses respecting landowner rights.
The Honourable Herb Cox – Minister of Environment, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment