Search underway for group of snowmobilers who ran over coyotes near Lanigan

SaskTip is looking for a group of snowmobilers who allegedly ran over 4 coyotes near Lanigan on Jan. 11, 2026. (Source: Facebook/SaskTip)

Saskatchewan conservation officers are seeking tips after a number of coyotes were run down by a group of snowmobilers earlier this month.

According to a post from SaskTip, on Jan. 11, Humboldt conservation officers discovered four coyotes that had been “pursued and deliberately struck” by snowmobiles around 11 kilometres east of Lanigan.

Two of the animals were still alive and had to be humanely euthanized. According to the officers, evidence at the scene indicated that all four animals were run over by the same group of snowmobilers.

The Ministry of Community Safety is currently investigating the matter. In a statement to CTV, the ministry said:

“We are deeply concerned by the recent incident reported in the Humboldt–Lanigan area involving coyotes that were struck by snowmobilers. Intentionally harming wildlife is not only illegal, but it also undermines the values of respect and responsibility that most outdoor users uphold. An investigation is underway to determine what occurred."

While coyotes are not uncommon in Saskatchewan, Lesley Sampson, the co-founding executive director for Coyote Watch Canada shared that this incident is far from any kind of ethical hunting.

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“Let’s be clear, when individuals are perpetrating this kind of violence and cruelty towards wildlife, it has nothing to do with protection of livestock or wildlife management or availability, you just essentially hunt this species. These are individuals that believe they’re above the law and they also have no moral or ethical compass with respect to how they are treating wildlife,” Sampson said.

Sampson shared that while coyotes in rural areas can sometimes create issues, there are always resources available to humanely solve the problem.

“We’re always welcome to talk with folks, whether they have crop or livestock on their landscape. Especially farming families that have had generational farms, and they’re working the land and providing such a great service for community. With respect to food security, if there’s an issue of coyotes that are coming on to different areas that the farmer feels are a little bit too close, there’s ways that you can deter,” Sampson said.

SaskTip is a charity which works closely with the provincial government, to relay information and offer incentives to anyone who may have information regarding poaching and polluting.

“There very few conservation officers in the field compared to other police agencies. So we do rely heavily on the public, rural landowners, anyone else driving in rural areas that happen to see or come across something to report it to the tip line, and then officers will follow up, to investigate,” Cody Osborne, the communications coordinator for SaskTip said.

A cash reward of up to $2,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the provincial Turn-In-Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line.

Lanigan is located approximately 110 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon.