Last week the Ministry of Environment announced the closure of 19 field offices, including the one here in Estevan. The decision was a result of budgte cuts and will impact 19 jobs, three of which being full-time positions.

Like many, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation was not pleased with the announcement and others made by the Ministry lately. 

"We certainly recognize and support the government being fiscally responsible, but if you look at the number of closures and give it some geographical perspective the only two offices left south of Highway #1 that will be open where if people had an issue or had to do some face-to-face interaction, would be Regina and Swift Current," said Darrell Crabbe, the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. "There's a huge part of the province that has no representation at all now."

Field offices mainly served as a place for people to buy hunting or fishing licenses or to see a Conservation Officer if you had questions or concerns. The only way to for people not willing to travel long distances to talk to one is through a 1-800 number.

Most activity in the hunting and fishing world happens rurally, according to Crabbe, and he thinks the closures may hurt license sales, which could be devastating for the Wildlife Federation. 

"We have to keep in mind that hunting and angling generate $600 million dollars of economic activity a year in Saskatchewan. We need some investment in that sector to keep us healthy," he stated. "For every license sold in our province, 30 percent of that goes into the Fishing and Wildlife Development Fund, which funds pretty much all of the enhancement for all the wildlife activities. This helps us ensure our resources are top notch throughout the province."

Estevan's office also served as central area for a lot of southeast Saskatchewan and for a lot of American travellers as well. There are many foreign hunters that come to this area of the province for hunting and fishing, and they picked up their licenses at offices in the region. 

Another issue Crabbe has with the Ministry is the recent decision to give away free licenes to Armed Forces Veterans as well as seniors. Revenue dollars for the Wildlife Federation come almost directly from license sales. 

"You can't continue to give away licenses, like for example to seniors. Seniors get free fishing licenses and that impacts about $1.5 million dollars a year that's lost to the fisheries component of the Ministry of Environment," Crabbe noted. "Right now we're trying to do a $14.7 million dollar expansion of provincial hatcheries and those dollars would be greatly appreciated. Almost everyone we hear from, seniors especially, says there's no reason for them to have free licesnes."

"We don't want to come across as people who don't support additional benefits for Armed Forces Veterans. When you start giving way free licesnes it doesn't help, because fewer people are shouldering the costs of ensuring we continue having the exceptional resources at our disposal. We have to find a better system than giving away free licenses  — we are the only jurisdiction in Canada doing that," he added. 

Crabbe went as far to say it could be crippling for their organization.

"With the loss of those license sale dollars, it's going to affect our fisheries and for sure our wildlife futures. At the end of the day, a license costs $38 and I'll guarantee filling up your boat and truck to go fishing costs a lot more than $38."

Cities and towns seeing their field office close include: Preeceville, Assiniboia, Buffalo Narrows, Humboldt, Kindersley, Estevan, Leader, Lloydminister, Maple Creek, Moose Jaw, Outlook, Big River, Southend and Ile a la Crosse. 

The Estevan office will be closing on May 14, 2019.