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Chief Bobby Cameron with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says if an over-abundance of elk was a problem, the landowners could have contacted nearby First Nations during the fall hunting season. The FSIN is calling on the government to stop a March hunt of elk.
He notes that First Nations hunters, with inherent treaty rights, don’t have to buy tags and some kind of communication could have prevented an extended antlerless elk hunting season which Chief Cameron calls ecologically irresponsible and culturally insensitive.
“It’s too bad they didn’t consult with us or didn’t even bother to pick up the phone to call. Premier Moe could’ve just called me, we have each other’s cell numbers. And I would have ran this idea by him – hey, give me a list of those farmers and landowners and let’s see if we can get some First Nations hunters out there to help them alleviate the problem.”
He notes that a simple phone call to these hunters would have alleviated and helped keep the population down, and in turn, they feed families, the homeless, and food banks in the province.
Cameron says they completely oppose a hunt in March and that they never kill pregnant animals and to kill them during calving season is highly unethical and immoral.
On the weekend, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Executive Director also spoke out against the hunt. From March 10 to 31, licence holders can hunt elk in Zone 39, the RM of Leask and the RM of Stanley.