The operation of a hunt farm by two men fined recently for shooting coyotes from a helicopter will not be affected by the convictions.
Father and son Erick and Jan Alsager of Maidstone, Sask., were each convicted under Saskatchewan wildlife regulations and fined a total of $21,000 for using an aircraft to hunt wildlife.
Erick Alsager, also known as Rick, was also found guilty of willfully obstructing a peace officer.
Jan Alsager received a two-year hunting suspension while Erick Alsager received a one-year suspension.
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Saskatchewan’s environment ministry began investigating in January 2012 after a caller to the Turn in Poachers line reported shots fired from a helicopter southeast of Maidstone.
Kevin Callele, executive director of compliance and field services in the environment ministry, said there are two main concerns with hunting from aircraft.
“Flying at low levels brings some inherent dangers with it, obviously,” he said. “The second concern is discharging a loaded firearm from a vehicle.”
Hunting wildlife from an aircraft, or any vehicle, is illegal, he said, and although coyotes are not a protected species, they are considered wildlife.
The suspension of the hunting licences means the men can’t hunt any animal for which a licence is required.
A licence is not required to shoot coyotes, so the men could still shoot them. However, they would not be able to purchase a fur licence to sell the pelts.
The provincial agriculture ministry administers the regulations governing hunt and game farms. A spokesperson said the convictions don’t restrict the operation of the farm.
