A moose hunting video posted on social media led to fines and hunting suspensions for two Saskatchewan men.

In May David Ostapiw of Prince Albert pleaded guilty to unlawfully hunting, unlawfully possessing wildlife, failing to wear hunting colours, using another person’s game seal, and providing false information to an officer. He was fined $4,570. Steven Ostapiw of Saskatoon pleaded guilty to allowing his game seal to be used by another person, providing false information to an officer, and falsifying a hunter harvest survey. He was fined $1,650. Both men received one-year hunting suspensions.

The Ministry of Environment says a YouTube video posted to social media was watched by a Greenwater conservation officer. It featured a moose hunting trip that had taken place in the Hudson Bay area in November 2022. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant near Prince Albert in March 2023 where conservation officers seized a firearm, electronic media devices, moose meat and antlers.

A forensic analysis of the electronic devices led officers to the kill site where they managed to retrieve spent rifle cartridge casings which were a forensic match for the firearm used in the moose hunt.