$175,000 FINE FOR ILLEGAL OUTFITTING

A Tillsonburg, Ontario man has received the largest fine ever for a violation of The Outfitter and Guide Regulations.

Jeffrey R. Wolfe has been convicted in Meadow Lake provincial court of outfitting without a licence and hunting out of season and fined a total of $175,000 under The Wildlife Act and The Outfitter and Guide Regulations.

A three-month investigation in late 2005 by Ministry of Environment conservation officers confirmed that Wolfe was guiding American hunters in the Dorintosh area north of Meadow Lake on hunts for moose, bear, white-tailed deer and elk.

"Illegal hunting and outfitting robs the people of Saskatchewan of the benefits of our natural resources and the provincial government will take whatever action is necessary to ensure those who abuse the resource are prosecuted," Environment Minister Nancy Heppner said. "We are pleased that the courts have agreed and imposed this significant penalty. I am confident it will send the message that Saskatchewan's fish and wildlife resource is valued and will be protected."

Anyone who is aware of or suspects wildlife, fisheries or environmental violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the province's toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at 1-800-667-7561.

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For more information, contact:

Gary Provencher
Environment
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-933-7928
Cell: 306-270-3860