Fort Smith (Mar 24/03) - Seven residents of northern Saskatchewan have been charged with 468 hunting and trapping violations in the NWT.

They are charged with baiting and trapping animals -- mostly wolves, but also some wolverines -- with caribou meat fit for human consumption, in contravention of the NWT Wildlife Act.

"There is nothing wrong per se with baiting," explains Crown attorney Andrew Fox. "It's only if it is using meat suitable for human consumption."The charges, which were laid earlier this month, include using illegal traps, illegal possession of wildlife, hunting without a licence, failure to report the killing of wildlife, destroying the pelt or rawhide of a fur bearer, and the unlawful transportation of wildlife outside the NWT.

The violations are alleged to have occurred in the fall and winter of 2002 in the Rennie Lake area, about 450 kilometres northeast of Fort Smith.

The accused will appear in Fort Smith territorial court in June.

"The number of charges reflects the number of pelts taken," says Fox. "The Wildlife Act provides for charges per animal."

Fox admitted there is "an issue of optics" about the high number of charges, noting it may appear overwhelming, but fewer charges would not have been appropriate.

"It wouldn't capture the gravity of the situation."

Peter Abrametz Sr., the Prince Albert, Sask., lawyer representing one of the accused, says he has not received documents on any charges against his client, so he could not comment specifically.

However, Abrametz notes, his client has a cross-border licence from the NWT.

As for the number of charges, Abrametz says it is not reasonable in the circumstances.

"At some point in time, everyone will have a dose of reality."

The lawyer also said he believes aboriginal hunting rights will become an issue in the court cases, noting the hunting methods have been a part of Dene life for many years.