New hunting program aims to help farmers suffering wildlife damage

A new hunting program piloted in Saskatchewan aims to help farmers experiencing wildlife damage.

The Big Game Management Extended Hunt pilot will extend the hunting season from November 1-10 in areas where mule deer, white-tailed deer or elk have been causing damage to agricultural products (tracked through wildlife damage claims to the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation), and where producers have already “exhausted all other preventative measures or agree to implement preventative measures.”

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The RMs of Livingstone, Hazel Dell, Kelvington, Bjorkdale and Leask have been identified for the program, and each RM will be allocated 50 licences for antlerless elk on top of what was already available in the provincial Big Game Draw.

“Regardless of population status, deer and elk are attracted to and may congregate in areas with easy access to unprotected agricultural products, especially during severe winters,” Christine Tell, Saskatchewan’s environment minister, explained in a statement.

“This hunting opportunity will allow us to mitigate damage from wildlife while also ensuring their populations remain sustainable into the future.”

The program is also designed to encourage landowners to implement preventative measures in order to reduce conflicts with wildlife, Tell added.

The pilot was developed in concert with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation.

“SARM is pleased that the government heard our members’ concerns and is taking action,” Bill Huber, the organization’s acting president, said in a statement.

“We were at the table when this pilot was developed, and we feel it is a good balance for agriculture producers and game management. We also encourage landowners to do their part by allowing responsible hunters to access their property.”