5 men from Quebec plead guilty to poaching around Moose Jaw

Five poachers from Quebec are facing fines and hunting suspensions after pleading guilty to illegally hunting big game and shooting protected species around Moose Jaw and Parkberg.

Saskatchewan conservation officers launched a two-year investigation when they were first alerted to illegal hunting in 2016.

During a surveillance operation in October 2017 officers found evidence that two hunting parties were wasting and illegally transporting migratory birds. A search of the trailer and vehicle of one suspect revealed evidence the group was also shooting protected species and illegally hunting big game animals.

The five men faced a total of 65 federal and provincial charges including criminal counts of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.

In addition to paying fines totalling $47,670, all five man will be banned from hunting in the province for five years and across the country for one year. They also had to forfeit all firearms and hunting equipment seized during the investigation to the Crown.