Sask hunters: Need info on laws.

darcy32171

darcy32171

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I don`t have a synopsis in front of me to give you the area, but I`m in the Weyburn area if this helps. I`m an avid coyote hunter and have a question: Now that the crops are off, if the land isn`t fenced and absolutely no signs up....can a guy drive on the land to circle the dugouts/tree lines for coyotes? Yesterday I was by a huge stubble field that was heavily populated with coyote and thought I`d ask. I have noticed in other areas that I usually check out, I`ve noticed other vehicle tracks driving through the fields. I`ve never wanted to cause I thought it was against the law.
So, if there is no fence, no signs posted and a guy is maturely driving across the field....is this OK? I can not find anything on the internet that helps answer this question. Thanks,Darcy
 
We do it all the time. It is polite to ask permission from the land owner to be on his land, but lots of people just cruise the fields during deer season. If the farmer stops you, just be polite and if he asks you to leave then don't argue. But like The Spank said, check your zone, there may be restrictions in some zones weather or not your allowed to drive off of the road. But for the most part, if guys don't want you on their land, they will post it.(a buddy of mine says they have to post it or you can be on it) But, someone will be in this thread saying your trespassing and can be charged (which is probably right), but most farmers (in my area anyways), are not gonna get mad unless you are wrecking the field. But hey, a phone call never hurts either. You can find out what RM you are in and get a map from the local RM office or the RM shop. The maps shows who own each piece of land, and then you can just call and ask permission.
 
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stubblejumper said:
The Trespass Act can be found at the link below. Hunters are exempted from the actual act, but some regulations are still covered under the Wildlife Act. The question is, does the Act consider shooting coyotes to be hunting, or do they only consider it actual hunting if a license is required?

http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/English/Statutes/Statutes/T20-2.pdf
Click to expand...
Pretty much states if it is fenced and signage is up stating "no hunting, no trespassing" etc.
 
Pretty much states if it is fenced and signage is up stating "no hunting, no trespassing" etc.
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If it's posted ,of course you need permission, but a lot of land is not posted. And if you don't qualify for one of the exemptions listed in the act, you still need permission, whether the land is posted or not.
 
Alright, I`ll stick to the roads/trails like usuall till I get my hands on an RM map to find out who owns the land. Better to be safe and legal then to find out the hard way.
 
If it is a crop producing field I automatically assume that you shouldn't be on it , period.out of courtesy.

That is someones land so I keep off unless it is an area that I know the owner AND have permission, although my hunting is done on crown land in the forest anyways.

I wouldn't want strangers on my property so I don't go on theirs.
 
darcy32171 said:
I don`t have a synopsis in front of me to give you the area, but I`m in the Weyburn area if this helps. I`m an avid coyote hunter and have a question: Now that the crops are off, if the land isn`t fenced and absolutely no signs up....can a guy drive on the land to circle the dugouts/tree lines for coyotes? Yesterday I was by a huge stubble field that was heavily populated with coyote and thought I`d ask. I have noticed in other areas that I usually check out, I`ve noticed other vehicle tracks driving through the fields. I`ve never wanted to cause I thought it was against the law.
So, if there is no fence, no signs posted and a guy is maturely driving across the field....is this OK? I can not find anything on the internet that helps answer this question. Thanks,Darcy
Click to expand...

Drving around egdes of trees makes you an "avid coyote" hunter? Why not get out of the vehicle and walk then set up and call. You will have more luck.
 
Anyone know how far signs can be apart? I was hunting in the Smeadon area in October and a guy kicked us off his wooded land and told us he only needed a sign at each corner of his land. There were no signs where we were hunting and some of these farmers own a lot of sections so the signs are a long ways apart if they are only needed at the corners.
 
What is the aversion to asking for permission? A person would be very hard pressed not to receive permission to hunt coyotes.
 
From Saskatchewan Wildlife Act

Hunting on certain lands
41(1) Where there are legible signs, of a size specified in the regulations, prominently placed along the boundaries of any land so as to provide reasonable notice bearing the words “No Trespassing” or «Entrée interdite», “No Hunting” or «Défense de chasser», “No Shooting” or «Tir interdit», or words or symbols to a similar effect, no person shall hunt any wildlife within the boundaries of that land except with the consent of the owner or occupant.

Also

(6) Where an owner or occupier of land has not erected or placed signs along the boundaries of his or her land in accordance with subsection (1) or (2), that fact alone:
(a) is not to be deemed to imply consent by him or her to entry on the land; or
(b) does not imply a right of access to his or her land for the purpose of
hunting.

And

(5) In a prosecution for a contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the onus is on the person charged to prove:
(a) that he or she had obtained the consent of the owner or occupant to hunt on the land of that person
 
its private property....you are trespassing and can be prosecuted if found on it without the land owners permission....signed or not.

Pretty simple.
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The trespass laws are not the same in Saskatchewan as they are in Alberta.
 
From Saskatchewan Wildlife Act

(6) Where an owner or occupier of land has not erected or placed signs along the boundaries of his or her land in accordance with subsection (1) or (2), that fact alone:
(a) is not to be deemed to imply consent by him or her to entry on the land; or
(b) does not imply a right of access to his or her land for the purpose of
hunting.

And

(5) In a prosecution for a contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the onus is on the person charged to prove:
(a) that he or she had obtained the consent of the owner or occupant to hunt on the land of that person

The above is from the Sask Wildlife Act.
Between myself and my brother and father we own 25 quarters of farm land in Sask.
The neighbor there just had one of his bulls shot by hunters....then they drove through the gate on the way out.
Call for permission, it's just common courtesy.
Because of the actions of a few bad apples you may not be received very well if caught by the owner without permission.
 
(6) Where an owner or occupier of land has not erected or placed signs along the boundaries of his or her land in accordance with subsection (1) or (2), that fact alone:
(a) is not to be deemed to imply consent by him or her to entry on the land; or
(b) does not imply a right of access to his or her land for the purpose of
hunting.
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The point is, that without signage, you don't legally require consent to enter the land.

Did you notice that the phrase below is not included under sub section 6, like it is included under sub section 1 and 2 ? Do you believe that this is merely an oversight, or does that phrase not appear under sub section 6 for a reason?

no person shall hunt any wildlife within the boundaries of that land except with the consent of the owner or occupant.
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Of course the land owner can ask you to lease the land.

(5) In a prosecution for a contravention of subsection (1) or (2), the onus is on the person charged to prove:
(a) that he or she had obtained the consent of the owner or occupant to hunt on the land of that person
Click to expand...

Once again, this refers specifically to sub section 1 and 2, there is no reference to any other sub section.
 
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