SALTCOATS GAME PRESERVE Jim Oliver
The legal description of the Saltcoats Preserve is Township 23, Range 2, the NW Quarter of Section 36 and Township24, range 2, all of Section 1 and legal subdivisions 1 to 6 inclusive of Section 12. The game preserve is 1040 acres in size (approximately 1.5 square miles) and surrounds Anderson Lake. The habitat type is classed as Aspen Grove Parkland and the purpose was designation was waterfowl protection. The Saltcoats Game Preserve was established in 1948, due to the efforts of the Saltcoats and District Board of Trade. During the regular meeting, held April 19, 1948, a motion was made by Jack Ford and seconded by Bruce Davidson, that the secretary, Harry Riglin, write the Game Branch of the Department of Natural Resources for information on the procedure for setting up a game sanctuary around the lake. A motion was also made by Francis Bowley and seconded by Alvin Bruner, to put beaver in the lake but the matter was tabled. During the meeting held May 17, 1948, a motion was moved by Jack Ford and seconded by Alvin Bruner, that permission be sought from owners of the land surrounding Anderson Lake, to establish a game preserve. Responsibility for contacting owners, namely Norman Klause, Max Love, Eva MacDonald, Mary MacNutt, Alex Graham, Melvin Hanson and the Town, was left to Mr. Ford. A special meeting was held June 02, 1948, during which a letter from the Department of Natural Resources was read, stating two pounds of Reed Canary Grass seed had been sent to the Board of Trade for planting in the lake. It was moved by Alex Richter and seconded by Pete Korman, that the seed by planted. During the regular meeting held August 16, 1948, a letter was read by the secretary regarding the proposed game preserve and some discussion took place regarding boundaries of same. It was moved by William Hall that boundaries be set to take in the land in accordance with the signatures obtained. The motion was seconded by Frank Garstone and carried. On September 27, 1948, letters were read regarding the Game Preserve and Trans Canada Highway. It was moved by Alex Richter and seconded by Jack Ford that the description of the boundaries of the new game preserve be published in the Saltcoats Star for the next three weeks. A motion was then made by Tom Neal and seconded by Jack Ford that Slex Graham and Chas Salisbury be contacted with the view of appointing them to act as game guardians in the new preserve. On October 21, 1948 a motion was made by Willard Anderson and seconded by Pete Korman that the secretary write the DNR asking if it would be possible to include all of Section 12-24-2-W2 and also the north half of 11-24-2-W2 in the game preserve. The reply from the DNR was read November 15 and ordered filed by G. MacDonald and Tom Neal. During an executive meeting held January 31, 1949, a letter was on hand from the DNR re: the appointment of a deputy game guardian for Anderson Lake Game Preserve. The secretary was instructed to write the department, referring to a Mr. Deighton, re: Alex Graham’s appointment to this position. It may also be of interest that the Board of Trade ordered 50 young pheasants in the spring of 1950, to be released in the game preserve. Most game preserves in the province are located on private land and the Department of tourism and Renewable Resources exercise no control over land use. As a result, mismanagement often occurs and many game preserves do not serve the purpose of wildlife management, protection or propagation. In 1970, it was recognized that the game preserve designation was inadequate in Saskatchewan. The term “game preserve” was replaced by more descriptive titles, namely “wildlife management unit” and “wildlife refuge”. Since 1970, many game preserves have received these new designations, while others have lost their designated area status completely. In 1978, there were 29 game preserves left, occupying approximately 98070 acres. The Saltcoats Game Preserve kept its status with order-in-council Number 205/62. The department decided the game preserve was need for three reasons:
1. 2. 3.		Protection to the residents of Saltcoats from hunters. The East portion is good deer habitat. The Lake provides habitat and protection to waterfowl.