Point of Privilege Resolution No. 1-03A

WHEREAS, a land occupant must legally post land to keep hunters from hunting and the cost of posting land is a burden to all land occupants;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that SARM request Saskatchewan Environment to include the following amendment to section 41(6)(c) of The Wildlife Act, 1998: “For the purpose of this subsection, all non-resident waterfowl hunters, including outfitters, guiding waterfowl hunters must obtain written permission from the land occupant prior to entering upon the land.”

Response from the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Minister of Environment:

Saskatchewan Environment would like the opportunity to meet formally with the executive of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) to discuss why this resolution appears to target hunters and more specifically non-resident waterfowl hunters. Many other individuals or groups enter onto private land either on foot or by vehicle, for a variety of pursuits including sight-seeing, berry picking, angling, wildlife viewing, photography and so on. Consideration for a provincial "Trespass Act" may be more appropriate and should be discussed with the SARM members.

Response from SARM:

The SARM Board met with officials from the Fish and Wildlife Branch of Saskatchewan Environment on July 23, 2003. The Board put forth the desire of the membership to have Property Owner Rights protected. One particular problem discussed was damages caused by vehicles. The department agreed to look at this issue and put forth a proposal later in the year. As well, they committed to an expanded education program for hunters regarding respect for private property.