A 17-year-old has been charged after allegedly running down and killing three whitetail deer with a truck outside of Maryfield, Saskatchewan, on March 9. Witnesses called it in after seeing the chase take place through a field. By the end, the driver appeared to deliberately strike the animals, according to CBC News and a social media post from SaskTip.
Conservation officers found two young whitetail fawn carcasses when they arrived on the scene the following morning. They also discovered the remains of a third deer that had already been picked over by scavengers.
Early eyewitness reports indicated a second truck was involved in the chase. But after further investigation, officers determined that the second vehicle did not run down the deer. The driver ended up being just another witness.
SaskTip, or Saskatchewan Turn In Poachers, is a charity that partners with Saskatchewan conservation officers and provides a platform for the public to report hunting and other natural resource violations anonymously. The organization also offers cash rewards for information that leads to the arrest of violators.
For this case, SaskTip put up $2,000 for tips. Once the word was out, tips started rolling in. That’s how officials found the teen who had been behind the wheel. Because he’s a minor, his name hasn’t been released. Charges also haven’t been made public, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Using a vehicle to hunt or harass wildlife is illegal in Saskatchewan. Violations can carry hefty fines and additional penalties tied to the animals killed. It can also cost you hunting privileges and the forfeiture of equipment, including your truck.
Cases like this hit raw nerves among hunters because it flagrantly goes against fair chase. The reaction online has been particularly harsh.
“We have low deer counts due to CWD and scum does this,” wrote one commenter. “I hope they are caught, vehicles confiscated, lifetime gun ban, and full extent of animal abuse.”
Most hunters live and die by the idea of fair chase. You hunt the right way, which doesn’t include running it down with a bumper. In this case, people saw someone breaking the law, reported the activity, and the system worked exactly like it’s supposed to.
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