Outdoor Pursuits

We’re flirtin’ with disaster Ya’ll know what I mean And the way we run our lives It makes no sense to me – Molly Hatchet

The proposal to establish Cervid Harvest Preserves (CHPs) in Alberta has sparked a significant debate due to the potential impacts on wildlife, the public perception of hunting, and the ethical practices of modern hunting. These preserves are often considered “Bambi-in-a-barrel hunts” that involve the containment of elk and/or deer in fenced areas where they are shot by paying hunters, a practice likened to “shooting fish in a barrel.”

In my mind, there are three arguments against CHPs—fair chase, risk of disease, and the negative social impact they have on hunters and hunting.

The first is the blatant disregard for the principles of fair chase. Fair chase is the foundation of ethical hunting—game should have a reasonable chance to evade the hunter. In CHPs, animals are confined within fenced areas, which severely limits their ability to escape, thus negating the essence of hunting as a pursuit where skill, patience, and knowledge of the animal being hunted are requirements. This setup turns hunting into an act of shooting rather than a challenge, which is ethically questionable to what many consider true hunting.

The second argument against CHPs is the containment of cervids in close quarters, which increases the risk of disease transmission, most notably chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal, transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting deer species, and its spread is having devastating effects on wild (and farmed) cervid populations across North America. This alone should be the red flag that puts an end to all thought of allowing CHPs in Alberta. Have we not learned a thing from past mistakes? I have explained here before what the results would be on our wild cervids and on how hunting as we know it would be over if CWD were to spread to domestic livestock or to humans. There would be a bloodbath of huge proportions on our wild cervids like nothing ever seen before.

And third, the impact on the image of hunting in Alberta would be further eroded. Even hunters belittle those that choose to hunt on an elk or deer ranch. The introduction of CHPs to Alberta will tarnish the image of hunters and hunting further. Traditional hunting has been defended as a means of wildlife management, a means to put food on the table, and to provide a connection to nature that requires respect for the animal and the environment. However, CHPs present an image of hunting that is devoid of these values, focusing instead on guaranteed kills rather than the experience of the hunt itself that so many of us cherish. This perception can alienate not only non-hunters but also traditional hunters who see these practices as detrimental to hunting’s image. The Boone and Crockett Club (B&C), for instance, has historically opposed such hunts, refusing to recognize trophies from penned hunts in their record books. Such opposition from respected hunting institutions like B&C should immediately be a red flag.

As well, the negative publicity from CHPs further adds to a pushback against hunting, affecting conservation organizations that rely on hunting fees for funding, the Alberta Conservation Association immediately comes to mind.

Hunting organizations in Alberta have worked hard to promote ethical hunting practices, foster respect for wildlife, and support conservation. The association of hunting with CHPs could undermine these efforts and lead to a decline in public support for hunting-related conservation initiatives.

I don’t profess to be a lawyer, nor do I profess to even have a small idea of what the legalization of CHPs would have on current wildlife management and hunting laws in Alberta, but surely there would need to be some form of legalese provided to ensure traditional wildlife laws and practices are followed and that there are no additional detriments to wild cervid populations, which is likely not possible given the disease aspect. Do our wildlife managers want to embark on this legal endeavour? I would think not.

Ending the establishment of Cervid Harvest Preserves before they begin in Alberta is crucial for maintaining the ethical standards of hunting, protecting wildlife from disease outbreaks, and preserving hunting’s image. By resisting CHPs, Alberta can uphold the values of fair chase, continue to contribute to conservation efforts, and maintain the integrity of hunting as a respected tradition.

It amazes me that we are once again even having this debate. Science has proven that keeping elk and deer behind fences is a gamble that never should have been allowed in the first place—the precautionary approach was abandoned in favour of what turned out to be a poor economic return, as felt by so many game farmers that were sold a bill of faulty goods. This can be seen in the small number of game farms remaining in Alberta and other locations.

The image and practice of “Bambi-in-a-barrel” hunts are not only detrimental to wildlife but also to the image of hunters, who are seen as stewards of the land rather than mere exploiters of it.

As written in the Molly Hatchet lyrics above, once again, “We’re flirtin’ with disaster.”

For the previous Outdoor Pursuits article, click here.