Outdoor Pursuits

Bill 41, the Wildlife Amendment Act, is legislation aimed at modernizing Alberta’s wildlife management practices. Introduced in March of this year, this bill updates the long-standing Wildlife Act to align with other hunting and trapping jurisdictions, technological advancements, and evolving societal needs. The changes encompass refined definitions, enhanced accessibility for hunters with disabilities, adjustments to youth hunting regulations, and the integration of new technologies like electronic tags and licences. These amendments have been largely welcomed by Alberta’s hunting community, including the Alberta Wildlife Federation (AWF) and the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS).

The Alberta Wildlife Act traces its roots back to the early 20th century when wildlife management became a provincial responsibility following the transfer of natural resource control from the federal government to Alberta in 1930. Initially, wildlife laws focused primarily on regulating hunting and trapping to prevent overhunting and ensure resource sustainability. The first comprehensive Wildlife Act was enacted in 1967 to govern hunting seasons, bag limits, and species protection.

Over the years the Act has been periodically updated to adapt to modern challenges but calls for a major overhaul have been persistent, including by hunting groups like the aforementioned AWF and APOS. Hunters, conservationists and policymakers all recognized the need for changes and to add new tools such as electronic licensing. This set the stage for Bill 41, which introduces several reforms designed to enhance accessibility, streamline regulations, and bolster conservation efforts. Following are some of those changes:

The bill redefines “vehicle” to allow mobility-challenged hunters, those using wheelchairs, to access hunting opportunities legally. Previously, motorized wheelchairs were classified as vehicles, prohibiting their use in hunting. Minors that hold a federal firearms Minor’s Permit can now hunt without adult supervision, aligning Alberta with federal firearm laws. If a minor has a Minor’s Permit and is acting in accordance with the conditions of that permit, then they are exempt from adult supervision because they are licenced to possess and use a firearm.

Hunters can use laser-aiming devices that do not illuminate the target, helping to improve shot accuracy. This is in alignment with humane hunting practices.

The introduction of digital tags and licences modernizes the permitting process, reducing paperwork and making it easier for hunters, anglers and trappers to carry their paperwork, which has grown considerably over the years.

Hunters are no longer required to preserve the hides of harvested black bears and cougars if they intend to use only the meat, which makes sense. If you like bear or cougar meat, and many do, how many hides do you actually want or need? The current law dissuades hunters from hunting bears or cougars.

Domestic animals (sheep and goats) are prohibited in sheep ranges to prevent disease transmission (e.g., Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae) to wild bighorn sheep populations.

Strengthened regulations to further deter the feeding of wildlife, aiming to reduce human-wildlife conflict.

Hunters can use leashed dogs to track wounded game, improving ethical harvesting by reducing animal suffering.

Waterfowl hunting from a motorized boat is now permitted as long as the boat is stationary, removing the previous requirement for anchoring.

A reduction in the draw weight of bows from 40 to 35 pounds, making it easier for folks of smaller stature to draw a bow.

Current law doesn’t allow for the use of “Ammunition of less than .23 calibre”. Bill 41 will amend the regulation to “Centrefire ammunition of less than .22 calibre”. This will allow the use of a 22-250 for hunting big game, with recommendations for bullet types.

These are just a few of the amendments in Bill 41 that offer benefits for hunters while increasing conservation and law enforcement efforts.

However, the usual suspects are at it again, making ridiculous statements with full-on attacks against Minister Loewen, including David Climenga of albertapolitics.ca (who appears to be very anti-hunting), suggesting, “Unsupervised pre-teens hunting alone or in packs... using laser targeting devices on their hunting rifles! What could possibly go wrong!” Packs, David... packs?”

And then there’s the Alberta Wilderness Association’s so-called conservation specialist, Ruiping Luo, suggesting, “A proposal to allow hunting access for the disabled by allowing the use of motorized wheelchairs could damage sensitive areas.” Okay, all you wheelchair bound motorized devils doing wheelies on all that sensitive land, stop it! Sheesh!

Alberta’s Bill 41 aims to balance practical wildlife management with broader access, but the hyperbolic howling from the negative crowd—like Climenga’s “packs” of pre-teen snipers and Luo’s wheelchair apocalypse—proves they’d rather clutch pearls than offer serious critique.

A big “thank you” to Alberta’s Hunting and Fishing Branch is in order—a team that deserves far more than a passing nod. This newly focused branch is all about improving our cherished hunting and fishing traditions, tailoring changes to the real needs of Albertans who live and breathe these activities. Staffed entirely by hunters and anglers themselves, they bring a wealth of practical conservation knowledge and sound science to the table, advocating fiercely for the hunting, fishing and trapping community. Leaders like Matt Besko, Craig Johnson, Brian Joubert, Shane Petry, Dave Kay, Rob Corrigan and others are the super-passionate catalysts driving these improvements, working tirelessly to make Alberta’s outdoors more accessible and sustainable.

It’s no small feat, either. Despite being woefully understaffed, the Hunting and Fishing Branch is leaps and bounds more responsive than it was under the old Environment and Protected Areas structure. They’re out there, boots on the ground, making changes that matter... and that’s a win worth celebrating.

For the previous Outdoor Pursuits article, click here.