The Spiritwood field area is typical of most forest fringe areas. The local Conservation Officers are challenged with a wide diversity of work. The habitat varies from mature provincial forest to the north to prairie areas to the south of Spiritwood. 

Each area encompasses different venues for enforcement and management work.Presently there are three conservation officers situated in Spiritwood responsible for resource related activities within 7 rural municipalities surrounding the community.
Spiritwood is located approximately 120 kilometers west of Prince Albert. Spiritwood conservation officers also work in conjunction with the Chitek Lake field area which is located approximately 55 kilometers north of Spiritwood. The duties of a conservation officer in the Spiritwood Field area include prevention work, forestry work, sport angling/hunting, problem wildlife, outfitting, trapping, environmental, wildlife land management, fire investigations, etc.

In the spring/summer of 2004 the officers in Spiritwood initiated a project to try and curb reported illegal grazing activities occurring in the provincial forest and on Wildlife Lands within the field area in response to complaints received from the public. 30 % of the sale of every wildlife habitat certificate, hunting and trapping license goes into a Fish and Wildlife Development fund. A portion of this fund is utilized to purchase land for use by sport hunters and for habitat protection. Officers determined that of the 98 quarters of Wildlife Lands in the Spiritwood field area, 40% were being actively illegally grazed.
Some of the lands identified had been extensively overgrazed for numerous years. Officers have dealt with most of the illegal grazers responsible and have significantly reduced the impact that grazing has put on these lands. 

Several illegal grazing investigations are currently ongoing. Spiritwood Conservation officers are challenged every year by a very active hunting season. During the fall/winter of 2003/04 Spiritwood Conservation officers responded to 38 calls from the Turn in Poacher line and were involved in over 200 investigations. 

Almost double the number of files from the previous year. Officers also receive numerous calls at home and at the office regarding illegal activity. Some of the calls involve headless deer, which were possibly a result of the trafficking ring for trophy antlers. Spiritwood Conservation officers investigated 8 cases of headless deer and 16 cases of deer/moose/elk shot and left. 

Officers also investigated 42 unlawful hunt files. One of the most common complaints from the public during the fall is night hunting or hunting with the use of lights.
Officers investigated 28 complaints regarding night hunting/use of light activities during the fall of 2003 and winter of 2004. 

Eleven individuals were successfully prosecuted regarding night at hunt infractions, resulting in fines totaling over $7000.00 plus forfeiture of firearms and related equipment. One of the violators stated that the reason night hunting is so prevalent is directly related to trophy whitetail antlers and the profit that can be achieved by sales to various illegal buyers in an increasing market. 

Officers utilize vehicle patrol, controlled wildlife modules, and aircraft to address these complaints.Some of these investigations become large and very detailed pending extensive search warrants, warned statements, and seizures that are required for evidence gathering. Following this are court appearances, court briefs and trials making this a year round process.

There are 9 fish producing lakes in the Spiritwood Field area. The largest lake is Turtle Lake located on the west side of the field area. Officers routinely check these lakes via boats or vehicle patrols to ensure limits/license requirements are adhered to. Several TIP calls are investigated each year by the Spiritwood Field area regarding illegally set gill nets in these water bodies as well as complaints of trafficking in fish.
Spiritwood officers also monitor fish transportation/limits being transported by anglers along the highways located within the field area. Spiritwood/Chitek field office administers 2 fur-trapping blocks.

Conservation officers issue and complete permits for all trapping and selling of furs.
Environment issues including spills, discharges, leakages and potable water also add to the diversity of work enjoyed by the conservation officers at the Spiritwood field area. Conservation officers past and present can attest that the position of a conservation officer within the Spiritwood Field area is one of diversity, challenge and enjoyment.