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By Jaryn Vecchio

Crime Update

Four people given fines and hunting suspensions for wildlife trafficking

Dec 4, 2023 | 11:07 AM

Four people have pleaded guilty to wildlife trafficking in the northeast.

Conservation officers with the Ministry of Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety have been investigating illegal activity in the Meskanaw area for the past nine months after first receiving a tip back in 2021.

The first to plead guilty was Kenneth Tschetter back on July 20 in Saskatoon. He was charged with trafficking in white-tailed deer and was subsequently fined $2,800 and suspended from hunting for five years.

Fast forward to Oct. 16, Benjamin Tschetter and Keith Tschetter also pleaded guilty to trafficking in wildlife. Benjamin was facing two counts involving white-tailed deer and elk meat, while Keith was looking at one count for elk meat. The two were fined a combined $8,800 and given five-year hunting suspensions.

The last to plead guilty was Christina Duh on Nov. 6. She was charged with trafficking white-tailed deer and was ultimately given a $2,800 fine and a five-year hunting suspension.

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Donald Duh was also in court on the same day, however, he pleaded guilty to hunting at night, hunting without a licence, and obtaining a licence while having unpaid fines. He was fined $1,410 and given a two-year suspension.

“Trafficking in wildlife shows disrespect for public resources and steals opportunities from lawful hunters. Left unchecked, such illegal activities can negatively affect wildlife populations and overall ecosystem health,” read a statement from the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.

Anyone who suspects or has any information on wildlife, fisheries, forestry, or environmental violations can either report it by calling Saskatchewan’s toll-free TIPP line at 1-800-667-7561 or by going online.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @princealbertnow