Four men from around North Battleford have been fined a combined $71,460 and issued court orders for illegal outfitting activities dating back two and a half years.

In October, 2014, conservation officers encountered the individuals on a ranch in the Great Sand Hills. Information gathered over the next several days suggested they were outfitting and guiding two Americans clients in the area.

A multi-pronged investigation by Saskatchewan conservation officers from Leader, Spiritwood, North Battleford, and the Ministry of Environment’s Investigation Unit ensued, with assistance from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Conservation Officer Service, forensic analysis experts and witnesses from Wisconsin.

Investigators determined the four individuals were outfitting illegally, and a mule deer buck had been illegally shot and exported to the United States.

Back in November, 2016, 59-year-old Charles Meechance pleaded guilty to unlawfully acting as a guide, unlawful hunting and providing false information. He was given a $10,920 fine, as well as a five-year court order with the following conditions:

  • Not be in the company of anyone involved in any aspect of hunting other than on the lands of a First Nation in the Province of Saskatchewan or in the company of another treaty person hunting for subsistence;
  • Provide any details or other information as requested by the Ministry of Environment on all animals killed while outfitting;
  • Ensure all clients attend a Ministry of Environment office in person and swear an affidavit that all information and details of the hunt are true; and
  • Obtain an export permit for every animal harvested by his or her client.

The other three individuals faced trial on May 18 in Leader provincial court.

Gerald Meechance was fined $33,800. The 37 year old was found guilty of unlawfully acting as a guide, unlawfully aiding and abetting, providing false information and unlawfully falsifying and applying for an export permit.

Neal Meechance, age 43, was found guilty of unlawfully acting as a guide, unlawfully aiding and abetting and providing false information. He was fined $15,820.

And 47-year-old Steven Pritchard was found guilty of unlawfully acting as a guide, unlawfully aiding and abetting and providing false information. He was fined $10,920.

Each conviction from the May 18 trial also carried the same five-year court order as Charles Meechance received, as well as the condition to not be in any vehicle in which there is an un-encased firearm except on the lands of a First Nation in the Province of Saskatchewan or in the company of another treaty person hunting for subsistence.