Hunting Wild Game in Alberta, Canada

Alberta offers an abundance of hunting opportunities.

Alberta, in westcentral Canada, is a popular destination for hunting enthusiasts from around the world. Every year, hunters travel to Alberta to hunt wild game such as black bear, whitetail deer, moose and waterfowl. A variety of hunting seasons, abundance of hunting land and reasonably priced tags make Alberta an excellent location to hunt wild game, but it takes preparation and dedication to be successful.

Things You'll Need

• Passport
• Camping equipment
• Hunting clothing
• Hunting license
• Bear bait
• Tree stands
• Topographic map
• Game calls
• Binoculars
• Hunting blinds
• Decoys
• Knife
• Cooler
• Export permit

Instructions

Plan the Hunt

1. Make travel arrangements. Prepare to go through customs and border crossing security. Fill out any declaration forms before reaching the border. Forms may be necessary for firearms or guns. Bow hunting makes the security process easier as archery equipment is less regulated.

   Book rental cars and flights. Fly into Calgary--located in southern Alberta--or Edmonton--located in central Alberta--and make arrangements to meet your outfitter at the airport.

   To hunt wild game in Alberta, a nonresident must hire a licensed outfitter or hunt with a Hunter Host--an Alberta resident who purchased a Hunter Host License. Review the lodging arrangements with the outfitter to determine if you'll be staying in a hotel, lodge or campsite. If you are staying at a campsite, pack camping equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, cot, cookware and flashlights.

2. 

   Extreme weather can expose you to wet conditions.

   Prepare for the weather. Hunting seasons in Alberta are subject to extreme weather and unexpected weather changes. Pack additional clothing, quality rain gear and waterproof boots. During a late-season hunt in early winter, pack insulated clothing. If you are on a fly-in hunt, take a satellite phone to stay in contact with the bush pilot. The satellite phone can also help if an emergency takes place during the hunt.

3. Purchase licenses and permits. All hunting licenses in Alberta are sold through private license vendors such as sporting goods store, convenience stores and gas stations. Foreign nonresident big-game licenses for whitetail deer, moose or black bear range from $180 to $250. Whitetail deer licenses cost $36.95 for residents, $122.33 for Canadian nonresidents and $188.57 for foreign nonresidents.

   The cost for black bear licenses is $15.65 for residents, $63.61 for Canadian nonresidents and $79.62 for foreign nonresidents, along with a wildlife certificate for $28.22. Hunting with archery equipment requires a bowhunting permit that costs $9.20 for residents and $23.20 for nonresidents.

   Waterfowl--duck and goose--hunters in Canada must purchase a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp for $17. Alberta offers a six-day nonresident waterfowl license for $78.50. All prices are as of 2010 and are in Canadian dollars.

Hunting Methods

1. Set up multiple bait sites. Your outfitter and guide will assist you with selecting bait sites and setting the baits. Black bears are the only wild game species that can be baited in Alberta. Baiting black bears is a popular hunting method during the spring and fall hunting seasons. Use a mixture of edible items, such as donuts, molasses, syrups or honey that disperse a strong smell into the bear habitat.

   If you aren't interested in baiting black bears, consider a spot-and-stalk hunt. Focus on south-facing slopes with food sources such as berry patches and shrubs in open logging areas, clear cuts or trails. Bears can be found in these areas throughout the day.

2. Hang tree stands along travel routes or feeding areas. Locate game trails and open fields by reviewing a topographic map to determine the possible travel routes to feeding areas. Wild game in Alberta is attracted to feeding areas during the hunting season to prepare for the upcoming winter. Predict game movements and position the stands with the wind in your face. As wild game, such as whitetail deer, approaches your stand, the wind carries your scent away from their noses, which may give you a shot opportunity.

3. 

   Rattling in Alberta can produce a trophy buck.

   Use game calls every 30 minutes. In Alberta during the rut, or mating season, calls can be effective for whitetail deer and moose. Use doe bleats to attract whitetail bucks and cow mews to attract bull moose. Spend about 30 to 60 seconds calling and rattling antlers, and then immediately prepare for a shot.

4. Locate wild game with binoculars. In the wide-open terrain of Alberta, binoculars can help locate wild game, such as elk, moose, deer or black bear at a distance. Mark the position of the game animal, and carefully hike into position to execute a shot.

5. 

   Layout blinds are effective for waterfowl hunting.

   To hunt waterfowl, position the decoys and hunting blinds in agricultural fields. Alberta is an essential breeding ground for waterfowl, including ducks and geese. Set up the decoys approximately 10 to 20 yards in front of the blinds in the fields to attract the waterfowl as they fly to the feeding area.

After the Hunt

1. Immediately tag the animal. Affix and securely lock the tag to the animal. Do not put the tag on the antler of moose, elk or deer. For bear or cougar, put the tag on the skin.

2. Leave sex and species identification on the carcass. To transport game, such as waterfowl, leave at least one wing attached to the carcass for sex and species identification.

3. Prepare for the trip home and border crossings. Submit an export permit application form to the Canadian Wildlife Services for all big game, game birds and furbearing animals. See the resources for an online application form. Export restrictions may be enforced for specific species. It is illegal to export the gall bladder and paws of black bear. You may, however, export the meat, hide, claws, skull and teeth.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the current Alberta regulations booklet before the hunt. Visit the Government of Alberta's website to download the current booklet.

References

• Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations 2009
• My Wild Alberta: Licenses & Fees
• Alberta Regulations: Tagging
• Alberta Regulations: General Regulations

Resources

• Environment Canada: Application For a Permit to Import, Export, or Re-export Hunting Trophies
• Alberta Regulations: Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations