Fines have been handed out to five men from Quebec who have pled guilty to breaking federal and provincial hunting regulations in the Moose Jaw area.

Officials say the two-year investigation started after learning of details in 2016. Officers began a surveillance operation in October of the next year, focused on two groups of hunters primarily in the Moose Jaw/Parkbeg areas. The surveillance revealed the groups were wasting migratory birds after their hunts and also turned up evidence to show they were illegally hunting big game animals and shooting protected species.

The five men faced 65 charges resulting in over $47,000 in fines. All five have received 5-year provincial hunting suspensions and one-year federal hunting suspensions.

According to the release Patrick Leboeuf of Beauharnois, Quebec, 41, pleaded guilty to six counts and was fined $18,310. Stephane Dubuc of Beauharnois, Quebec, 39, pleaded guilty to six counts and was fined $11,770. Christian Leduc of Beauharnois, Quebec, 55, pleaded guilty to four counts and was fined $6,790. Martin Gendron of Chateauguay, Quebec, 43, pleaded guilty to three counts and was fined $5,400. Jean-Philippe Quesnel of Salaberry-De-Valleyfield, Quebec, 32, pleaded guilty to three counts and was fined $5,400.