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By Susan McNeil

Hunting violations

Downvote: hunting video ends in $6,000 fines for P.A. and Saskatoon men

Jul 22, 2024 | 10:01 AM

Hunters planning to post their adventures to YouTube should make sure they are obeying the law before uploading content online.

David Ostapiw (of Prince Albert) and Steven Ostapiw of Saskatoon both admitted to multiple hunting violations in Melfort Provincial Court on May 13.

Their legal troubles started in January 2023 as a conservation officer from the Greenwater Lake area watched a YouTube video of Ostapiw’s hunting trip near Hudson Bay in November 2022.

A bull moose was shot and harvested in the video and the officer did not believe the hunter had a valid license. They instead used another person’s game seal.

The investigation then led to a residence near Prince Albert and in March 2023, officers searched the home and collected a gun, electronic media devices, moose meat and antlers.

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A forensic analysis of the electronic devices led officers to the kill site.

In May 2023, nearly six months after the moose was harvested, officers conducted an extensive search of the area and managed to locate expended rifle cartridge casings.

The casings were a forensic match for the firearm used in the offence.

David Ostapiw of Prince Albert was fined $4,750 after admitting to illegal hunting, not wearing hunting colours and using another person’s game seal. He also admitted to giving the Conservation Officer wrong information.

Steven Ostapiw of Saskatoon pleaded guilty to allowing his game seal to be used by someone else, giving the Conservation Officer wrong information and falsifying a hunter harvest survey. He was fined $1,650.

Neither man can hunt for one year.

Saskatchewan’s conservation service is warning the public they have many tools to investigate lawbreaking.

People who suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, are asked to call Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn In Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or report violations online at www.saskatchewan.ca/tipp.

Tipsters may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTIP Reward Program, and don’t have to give their name.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com