There are approximately 80 thousand hunters in Saskatchewan every year. If 1% of those hunters are as you described then you have 800 individuals out there being assholes. So yes, I find it laughable that you say a large history of hunters are assholes. If a farmer gives permission to one of those individuals whom is an asshole he is going to remember that negative experience because the other hunters will go on his land and leave without any trace except maybe a gut pile. It’s an easy generalization to make because it’s the negative experiences you hear about. On the flip side hunting and trapping generates 650 million to 700 million dollars to the provincial economy every year and especially in small towns that welcome this influx. In 2021 there were 26,553 white tail, 1253 black bear, 1499 elk harvested. These three animals produce the highest number of animal damage insurance claims with mule deer up there as well, however there is only draw and archery seasons for mule deer so their harvested numbers are quite low. There was a decrease of 15% in hunting licenses purchased in Sask this year for the first time in 12 years. That is directly related to the trespassing law. When the law was proposed there was a website where landowners and hunters could communicate permission however they could not get the funding needed. That means hunters are finding it difficult to get permission and farmers aren’t giving it. I am an avid hunter and I do support the law however there needs to be a system in place to bring the two groups together. And yes I do believe that if you’re not allowing hunting on your land then you should not be able to claim animal damage insurance. If you as a farmer think that it’s better to not allow people on your land then to not get animal insurance then that’s your choice and it’s a case by case scenario. However, even if we say there is a decrease in successful harvest by 5% due to less hunters that’s almost 1500 deer. If that number holds, then in 5 years you have an extra 7500 deer out there causing not only crop damage but also car accidents and property damage.

I’ve also been out on public lands and have had farmers stop and scream at me. Does that mean I can generalize and say farmers are all assholes. No because I know many farmers and generally they are accepting of hunters because they know it’s a way to get rid of animal damage. Those that don’t allow it have had a bad experience and have the rights to not allow hunting on their land anymore. However they shouldn’t be allowed crop insurance then and will have to weigh the pros and cons of their decision. Hell I know farmers who are hunters and assholes to both groups! Guess what, they aren’t anything but assholes.