Saskatchewan Association of Conservation Officers

Our thoughts go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of Sgt Harnett. Rest In Peace, brother.

We at SACO would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a happy New Year! It has been a very different and difficult year for everyone, and we hope everyone is able to find some joy within the limited capacities this year. SACO admins will be not be checking messages over the holidays (Dec 24-Jan 2) in order to spend uninterrupted time with their families. If you need to report an urgent or ongoing violation, please call the TIP line at 1-800-667-7561, as officers will continue to patrol over the holidays. Otherwise, we will respond to your message in the new year. Stay safe out there!

Candle Lake conservation officers are getting into the holiday spirit! Head on down to Sandy Bay campground in Candle Lake Provincial Park for their Festival of Lights throughout the rest of December. Driving tours from 6:30pm-9:30pm on the 18, 26-27, 29, 31. Walking tours on the 19, 28, 30. ... Tour by snowmobile on the 27! See more

SACO is sending our thoughts and well wishes to Officer Behr.

Did you know you are allowed to use two lines during ice fishing season? These lines must be within 25 metres of you and must be in your view at all times. This is to ensure you can get to your fish quickly once it bites! Two lines are permitted, but limits still apply.

The Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre is undertaking a monumental task! In early 2019, a Cessna 180 aircraft was recovered in Peter Pond Lake after being missing for 59 years, allowing the families of Ray Gran (pilot) and Harold Thompson (conservation officer) to finally received closure. Now Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre is putting back together this aircraft for display at their museum! SACO is proud to donate $5000, and a conservation officer uniform from 1959, that Harold Thompson would have worn. The Saskatchewan Aviation Museum and Learning Centre is asking for financial contributions to help preserve this part of Saskatchewan history, and tell the story of these two heroes.

A little FYI for those who fish Buffalo Pound.

This is exciting news for resource protectors and users alike!

With the recent snowfall over the past week in many parts of the province, we have been asked to remind Saskatchewan hunters of the following regulation. Section 48 of the Wildlife Regulations states: "(1)During an open season for big game other than the wolf season, no person shall carry a firearm on any all-terrain vehicle: (a)within WMZ's 1-19, 21-47, 52 and 54, Regina-Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert WMZ's, Fort a la Corne WMU, and Duck Mountain, Saskatchewan Lan...ding, Cypress Hills (West Block), Douglas and Moose Mountain Provincial Parks" According to The Wildlife Regulations, an all-terrain vehicle is defined as any motorized vehicle designed for off-highway travel on or over unprepared surfaces, natural terrain, water, snow, ice, marsh or swamp land. The definition includes a trailer or anything being towed. Hunters cannot lawfully carry a firearm on a snowmobile in certain areas of the province. We are aware that the large accumulation of snowfall has made hunting access difficult, especially for those with treestands/blinds. Please remember that everyone in your area is having to navigate the same obstacles as you are this hunting season. Failure to abide by this regulation may result in seizures, fines, and a hunting suspension. Thank you to all of those who hunt legally, and best of luck to all in the remainder of the hunting season! Please refer to The Wildlife Act, 1998, and The Wildlife Regulations, 1981 for full legislative wording and additional information surrounding hunting laws.

Let there be light! In October, Ministry of Environment staff conducted spotlight deer surveys across the province. Each of the 20 routes is approximately 160 k...m long and provides an annual snapshot of local white-tailed and mule deer numbers. This long-term data provides herd structure information and population trend information for white-tailed and mule deer at a regional level. Some of the routes have been run each fall since 2001! See more

Media Release: Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, SSGA offer $10,000 For Information Leading to Conviction in the Criminal Shooting of Livestock http://skstockgrowers.com/swf-ssga-offer-10000-for-informa/ Sasktip

The MWF was made aware of tragic incident on Remembrance Day. A deer hunter sitting in his blind was struck by a bullet from a poacher shooting at a deer from a... roadway. The hunter was transported by Stars helicopter to hospital and is expected to recover. To date, the suspect has not been caught, MB Conservation and the RCMP continue to investigate. The MWF cannot stress enough that these CRIMINAL acts must be stopped! We must help our enforcement officers and report these CRIMINAL acts to the TIP line (1-800-782-0076) or contact your local RCMP detachment. #poaching #manitobahuntingnews #wildlife #deerhunting #conservation #huntfishmb #manitoba See more

Yes, 2020 is a bad year for a lot of people. But 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 were worse. Take a moment today to thank a veteran, and remember those that were lost. Lest we forget.

It happens more than it should. Be sure of your target before firing. You can also self report to your nearest Ministry of Environment office that offers front counter service or the TIP line.

All tags should be separated, notched, and attached prior to leaving the field with your animal. "I didn't want it to blow off" is not an excuse to not have your animal tagged.

Great teamwork in the SW resulting in a positive outcome!

An applicable video for everyone to watch.

With hunting seasons winding down, remember to log onto your HAL account and complete your hunter harvest survey!

Safety should be your number one priority when adventuring onto ice this winter. Typically, ice must be at least four inches (10 cm) thick to withstand human we...ight. However, water does not freeze at a uniform thickness can vary in strength from area to area. For more information on fishing safety, search Anglers Extras on saskatchewan.ca.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCG08S7sbPjGaKv1J9f-Emig

Worth a read about the opinion of experts.

Not something you see everyday in a city!

Quite the unfortunate incident.

Usually how it goes..

Deer Season at the Nursing Home...

Before going on ice this winter, please take caution and check ice thickness. Typically, ice must be at least four inches (10 cm) thick to withstand human weig...ht. However, water does not freeze at a uniform thickness. Please remember these are guidelines only. Ice conditions often change rapidly and can present serious safety risks. For more information on fishing safety, search Anglers Extras on saskatchewan.ca.

Boats, coolers, hidden compartments. We get the right tally!

With hunting season in full-swing, people may be looking to get rid of excess meat. You may gift wild game or fish away, but it becomes trafficking once you sell for any monetary or other gain.

Ministry of Environment service dog Tai and her handler, Corporal Jamie Chartrand, have been hard at work this fall. Pictured here, Tai located a crucial piece ...of evidence in a poaching case. These dogs can search large areas quickly to locate physical evidence such as firearms, spent shell casings (pictured here), wildlife parts, and suspects. She also recently helped officers locate an individual who fled during a traffic stop. Using the K9 unit saves conservation officers valuable time and also frees up officers to continue with other parts of the investigation.

Another call where conservation officers from Shaunavon and Swift Current assisted.

Typically, conservation officers and RCMP, or municipal police force have a great working relationship.

Great work by the conservation officers that safely got this moose out of the busy city! A moose on the edge of the city is one thing, but downtown adds a lot of unnecessary stress to everyone involved. Thanks to the Saskatoon Police that assisted!

Before you think this is cool, look at the body language of the moose. Ears flat and pinned back, stomping the ball. It's not playing soccer, it's defending itself.

Recent Mountain Lion Encounter Unpacked. Video: Kyle Burgess

How to take your own CWD samples to be submitted.

Not an option that any officer wants to use, but it was the safest decision.

Did you come across this check-stop on Highway #21 north of Paradise last week? Officers from the Glaslyn, Turtleford and St. Walburg RCMP Detachments and Conse...rvation Officers from Loon Lake were out doing patrols in the area. They were checking licenses and registrations and ensuring driver sobriety. Officers were happy to report that after pulling over 60+ drivers, no charges had to be laid. A few warnings were given out, but generally, motorists were abiding by the rules of the road. Folks in the area can expect to see increased patrols on highways in the coming months. Be safe! We’ll see you around. ^km

It takes 90 seconds to complete!

Spend two minutes to read this.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot by breaking some of the most common hunting infractions. It is a violation to: Shoot across or along a provincial highway, p...rovincial road or municipal road; Carry a loaded firearm in or on a vehicle, or while on horseback; Hunt within 500 metres of a building, stockade or corral occupied by people or livestock without the consent of the owner or occupant in charge; and Hunt wildlife one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. To review Saskatchewan's hunting regulations, download the Hunters and Trappers Guide on saskatchewan.ca/hunting.

With rifle season just days away for certain species, it may be a good idea to refresh yourselves on the Twelve Commandments for firearm safety. Every year, conservation officers across the country find violations that jeopardize the safety of hunters or their companions. Don't become a statistic - keep yourselves and others safe this hunting season. https://saskhuntered.com/twelve-commandments/

Labour day weekend is here, and with it comes an influx of resource users looking to make the most of the last bit of summer. This provides a great opportunity for people to enjoy the abundant natural resources that Saskatchewan has to offer. SACO would like to remind the public that Conservation Officers will also be out everywhere from Stony Rapids, to Estevan and everywhere in between, ensuring our resources are protected along with the people who utilize them. Some tips ...for the long weekend: Clean, Drain and Dry your water craft to fight the spread of invasive species. Consult the fisheries guide for lake specific regulations and limits. Ensure you know your target and beyond. Respect land owners, and obtaining permission to hunt on private land. As always, the TIP line is staffed 24/7 and available to the public by phone at 1-800-667-7561, #5555 on the Sasktel network or by visiting Saskatchewan.ca/TIP. Stay safe and have fun!

It's a message that can't be shared enough.

Hunters, accessing private land is a privilege. Respect private property by: obtaining permission to hunt on private land, even if the land is not posted; a...biding by the landowner’s requests while on their property and following all posted instructions; minimizing vehicle use on all lands; refraining from travelling on roads when they are prone to damage; and always thanking landowners for access to their land. See more

FowlFanatics.com

Did you know about all the benefits of becoming a member of your local wildlife federation?

You catch a nice eating sized fish. But it tastes "muddy". What happened??? Many anglers report off-tasting fish during the heat of summer. The issue: 2 compoun...ds called geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol. These harmless, but bad-tasting compounds are produced by certain bacteria and blue-green algae. They get into fish muscle by passing from the water into the bloodstream via the gills. Production reaches its peak in the warmth of summer. The solution: there really isn't a good one. If you're sensitive to the "muddy" taste, you may have to wait for colder water on some lakes. You can also try disguising the taste with spices or smoking. Catch and release with a nice photo is a good option too!

Little shoutout to the Wildfire Firefighters with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (formerly Wildfire Management Branch)! These are some of the hardest workers out there!

Bit of a different issue in this Saskatchewan community..

Conservation officers of the Wildlife Human Attack Response Team are on scene and investigating. SACO would like to send our condolences to the family and friends of those impacted by this tragedy.

Hunter harvest surveys are now mandatory. If you buy a game licence, you need to submit your survey that will be on your HAL account.

Bears are ruled by their stomachs. When bears associate food with humans, they lose their natural fear and will tolerate people in closer proximity than what i...s safe. Once conservation officers become aware of a habituated bear in an area, they will attempt to safely remove and relocate it. However, if the bear accesses human-sourced food, they become a public safety risk, and they have to be euthanized. The best way to ensure the safety of you, your community and the bear, is to remove all food sources, including securing garbage, pet food and bird feed. If a bear is repeatedly doing damage in your community, even after all attractants have been removed, contact your local Ministry of Environment office or call the TIPP line at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 from SaskTel cellphones.

As you’re watching this, ask yourself what you think is happening here...

If you're fishing in Saskatchewan and happen to see a tag along the back of a fish, it may be part of a scientific study. How can you contribute to the study? L...ook for a unique identification number (typically 3-6 numerical digits) and the contact information on the tag. Record and report the number on the tag to the phone number or email address provided as soon as possible. Tag reports provide valuable insight on fish movement and survival, which inform fisheries management. Edit: Anglers are asked to include the fish length and location when reporting a tagged fish.

Conservation Officers and RCMP will be patrolling many of Saskatchewan's lakes this weekend. Please boat responsibly so that everyone can have a great long weekend!

A helpful video for those of you wanting to learn safer fish handling practices.

Great work being done over on the west side of the Province!

Want to try out fishing but you’re not sure if you want to commit to a year-long licence? We have one-day and three-day options! Check out the full list of licences and pricing on saskatchewan.ca/fishing.