Changes to hunting licences will restrict non-resident access to Saskatchewan game birds

An effort to reduce illegal outfitting, the province is making changes to non-resident game bird hunting licences. Jasmine Pelletier reports.

The province is making changes to non-resident game bird hunting licences in hopes of reducing illegal outfitting.

The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) is happy with the new change, saying it prioritizes Saskatchewan hunters.

“We want to make sure that our residents here in Saskatchewan have access to the resources within their own province,” said SWF executive director Todd Smith. “That way we can continue to have those resources long into the future, and that they’re managed for the benefit of all of our citizens.”

Game bird hunting licenses are currently available to Saskatchewan residents, Canadian residents and non-residents, with all licences valid for the full season.

The update will limit non-resident hunters’ term licences to one five-day licence in the spring and two five-day term licences in the fall.

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The province does not expect a negative economic impact.

“Indications are it’s not going to have that big of an effect on it,” said Environment Minister Darlene Rowden. “They’ve looked at data from Manitoba who’s had this practice already, and they’ve seen very little to no negative impact on their economy.”

The Saskatchewan Commission of Professional Outfitters Board Chair Jordan Rowswell said this change is a step in the right direction.

“As a Saskatchewan resident and business owner in the outfitting sector, I find it really encouraging,” Rowswell told reporters.

“It’s a tool that we can use to prevent this in the future, and hopefully my children will be able to have the same hunting opportunities in the province that I had growing up.”

Rowswell said illegal outfitting has long been a problem in the game bird industry, creating unnecessary competition for residents and costing the province in lost economic activity each year.