Sask. man fined more than $7,000 for running illegal taxidermy business without licence

What started as a routine inspection of a Saskatchewan taxidermy business led to a complex investigation culminating in multiple charges, dozens of wildlife exhibits seized and more than $7,000 in fines.

Brandon McCrea of Mossbank, Sask., pleaded guilty on Sept. 23 in Moose Jaw provincial court to offences under The Wildlife Act, including operating a taxidermy business without a licence and illegal possession of wildlife.

McCrea was fined $7,250, including surcharges.

Officers visited Northern Reflections Taxidermy in Mossbank, located about 110 kilometres southwest of Regina, in February 2023 for a routine inspection, according to a news release by the Saskatchewan government. They described the scene in the business as "overwhelming."

The release says the walls and floor of the shop were filled with exhibits of wild animals, leaving few paths to walk through, and antlers hung from the rafters.

Brandon McCrea was fined more than $7,000 after pleading guilty to operating without a licence and illegal possession of wild animals. (Submitted by the Government of Saskatchewan)

Officers soon realized required animal tags were not properly attached or were missing, the province said. There were also business records that were out of date or missing information, and McCrea failed to provide an up-to-date taxidermy permit, it said.

During two follow-up inspections, one with a search warrant, officers uncovered more untagged animals — some in freezers or outbuildings — and more missing or incomplete records, the province said.

Officers seized 144 wildlife exhibits, a laptop and record books.