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Four people, including a 34-year-old with two similar convictions in the past 15 months, have been fined a total of more than $22,000 for illegal hunting and unlawful outfitting.

The charges date back to Nov. 8, when conservation officers stopped a truck about 66 kilometres south of Red Pheasant First Nation, in the Biggar area. According to provincial government news release, the officers found four men inside the truck, including two American hunters. They also found two rifles, one of which was loaded, plus loose shells on the floor and on the back seat.

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After all four were arrested and taken to the Biggar RCMP detachment, the two hunters said in a sworn statement that they were “actively hunting” with their guides and that their firearms were loaded at the time they were stopped.

Appearing Dec. 7 in Biggar provincial court, Elliot Meechance, 34, of North Battleford, pleaded guilty and was fined $10,000 for guiding without a licence and aiding and abetting unlawful hunting. He was also fined $1,650 for driving while disqualified. Meechance had two previous convictions for unlawful outfitting activities.

Tyson Adams, 25, of the Sweetgrass First Nation, pleaded guilty and was fined $7,000 for guiding without a licence and aiding and abetting unlawful hunting.

Jack Strange and Dave Nelson, both from Pleasanton, Texas, were each fined $1,880 for unlawful hunting and carrying loaded firearms in a vehicle. Their rifles and hunting equipment were returned after the hunters paid their fines.

The truck was towed and impounded at the scene.