Reduction of Requirements for Beaver Hunters
Res #: 8-20A
Number: 8
Year: 2020
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
WHEREAS there are numerous beavers that cause a lot of road damage and create a significant financial burden on RMs;
WHEREAS many local residents who have trapped and hunted beavers in the past and provided a very beneficial service to the RM no longer do because of the hassle of having to spend time and money to obtain trapper’s licences;
BE IT RESOLVED the Beaver Control Program administered by SARM no longer require beaver hunters to obtain trapper’s licences
Responses From: The Ministry of Environment
August 10, 2020
The Ministry of Environment acknowledges the challenges to managing beaver populations in portions of the province. As such, the ministry has implemented various strategies to support rural municipalities (RMs) in dealing with beaver conflicts. Many of these strategies already coincide with the relaxation of regulations related to beavers. The ministry continues to review beaver management and look for opportunities for further assistance.
The ministry has an obligation to adhere to the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards. Where government funds are being provided for programming, trappers are required to have completed trapper’s education training or equivalent and hold a valid trapping licence. This is a minimum standard to demonstrate the province’s due diligence to ensure that beaver control is undertaken by trained individuals in a safe and humane manner. These processes have been simplified by allowing individuals to challenge the trapper’s education tests and by obtaining licences online through the Hunting, Angling and Trapping Licensing (HAL) system.
The ministry welcomes the opportunity to work with RMs to better communicate beaver management opportunities to Saskatchewan trappers who are already licensed, in an effort to increase the uptake in beaver management programs. The ministry believes that increasing information flow will allow other trappers to travel to problem locations to assist RMs and land owners, as well as access beaver management programs. This will result in a beneficial situation for all parties involved.
To further discuss management options, please contact Todd Whiklo, Provincial Furbearer Specialist , at todd.whiklo@gov.sk.ca or (306) 741-5016
Dustin Duncan – Minister of Environment
