A $2,000 bull found shot to death in a pasture near Kelliher, Sask., was likely a victim of the last days of hunting season.
The bull was shot in the head from outside the posted property of landowner Duane Thompson. The carcass, already a target of coyotes, was found Dec. 8. None of the several hundred other cattle in the pasture was injured.
Thompson said Dec. 19 that RCMP had no leads.
“It’s a pretty difficult one,” he said.
“They found cartridges on the road and a dead bull in the pasture.”
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The red Beefbooster bull was a mature, solid, proven animal, Thompson said.
RCMP say domestic animals are always killed during hunting season. However, it is concerned that the bull was apparently shot intentionally.
“There’s not much chance of mistaking a 2,000 pound red bull 200 yards off the highway,” Thompson said.
About 20 years ago the family lost two cows to hunters. Thompson, who enjoys hunting with his son, said less respect seems to be shown for landowners and their property by some hunters today.
He said hunters deliberately drove through fences this year. Last year someone shot a deer outside the farmyard and within a kilometre of three homes. Shots were fired through the feed yard, where someone could have been mixing feed.
“There seems to be an element that just doesn’t care,” Thompson said.
He added he hadn’t heard of other incidents in the immediate area.
Officers from the Melville RCMP detachment are investigating and ask any witnesses to call them or Saskatchewan Crimestoppers at 800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted on-line to www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
