(Jonathan Kendrick)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Promising clarity and economic relief

Alberta’s Wildlife Regulation updated

Aug 5, 2020 | 8:22 AM

The provincial government says it is updating the Wildlife Regulation to improve wildlife conservation, enhance opportunities for hunters and trappers, and provide economic relief for outfitters.

Alberta’s Wildlife Regulation sets out rules about wildlife use, such as fees, licences, reporting requirements and hunting and trapping activities.

In a release, the government says the changes they are making will give hunters and trappers clarity on rules, while also providing them with more opportunities to get outdoors and do what they love.

“These updates to the Wildlife Regulation are long overdue and provide countless conservation benefits that we will see for years to come,” says Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Hunting has always been a critical wildlife management tool in the province and we are reaffirming that here. As a hunter myself, I am also pleased that these amendments will allow hunters to spend more time outside and less time filing paperwork, in keeping with the Alberta government’s overall efforts to cut red tape.”

The province says the updated regulation will help improve wildlife conservation, eliminate outdated administrative requirements, reduce conflicts between wildlife and people, and protect important habitats for vulnerable wildlife.

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The changes also provide temporary economic relief to guide-outfitters due to border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alberta resident hunters will be temporarily allowed to hold hunting licences and participate in guided hunts that are normally designated for non-resident hunters. Hunting is an increasingly popular activity in Alberta, especially as Albertans recreate closer to home. These amendments will further support this activity.

Hunters and trappers play a key role in supporting wildlife management activities, such as monitoring wildlife populations and wildlife diseases. These changes are yet another example of the important ongoing relationship between hunting and conservation.

The amendments take effect on Aug. 25 and will be incorporated in this year’s hunting and trapping guides.

Some highlights of the Wildlife Regulation amendments include:

• Guide-outfitters will be able to register and report sheep harvests on behalf of their clients, creating a more efficient process for international hunters to register their rams.

• Reductions in administrative requirements for hunters, trappers and outfitters, like allowing hunting licences to also be used as an export permit.

• The Alberta Professional Outfitters Society will also be able to refund hunting allocation and use fees back to guide-outfitters that have been unable to use them.

• Changes to when waterfowl hunts open and the location of wildlife sanctuaries in order to protect vulnerable wildlife when required.

• Requiring hunters to report wildlife tracking collars and other devices used to monitor wildlife to ensure biologists can download data to further inform our knowledge of wildlife movements across the province.

• Many formerly restricted migratory game bird waterbodies are now open to waterfowl hunting due to increases in waterfowl populations, affording hunters increased access and opportunity to enjoy over-water hunts.

• Hunters will be allowed to bring a companion dog (pack dog) along with them in mountain area Wildlife Management Units during an open big game hunting season.

• The updated regulation designates Kimiwan Lake as a game bird sanctuary to prevent displacement and disturbance to at-risk trumpeter swans from migratory bird hunting activity.

• Penalties of up to $500 for feeding dangerous wildlife, such as wolves, bears, and cougars, in situations other than baiting for hunting.

• Removal of the timing restriction for hunters using off-highway vehicles (OHVs) in certain Wildlife Management Units.

• Extending seasons in some fur management zones while removing restrictions on sale of fur-bearing animals lawfully trapped.