Outdoor Pursuits

The regulation of hunting, fishing and trapping remains a contentious battleground. Whenever regulation changes are made, a predictable chorus of dissent arises. This opposition always comes from groups with a seemingly singular agenda: the protection of wildlife at all costs. At first glance, these organizations champion a noble cause. Their websites are adorned with images of majestic animals, and their mission statements speak of conservation and ethical treatment. However, a closer look reveals a pattern: all of these groups prominently feature “donate” buttons urging visitors to contribute to their cause. This raises a critical question: Are these organizations truly driven by conservation, or is there an underlying motive fueled by financial incentives? The debate over hunting, fishing and trapping regulations often veers into this murky territory, where the line between genuine wildlife advocacy and financial gain becomes increasingly blurred.

Take the recent lifting of trapping limits on wolverine, fisher, river otter and Canada lynx by Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen. Of course, the usual lot are now running around with their hair on fire claiming an end to Alberta’s furbearers because, of course, trappers are a terrible bunch running around wantonly killing everything they can. Just like the many hunters that are now killing grizzly bears across Alberta because there is suddenly a grizzly bear hunting season—please show me the dead bears and where this hunting season exists? Please... I’m waiting...

But let’s stop for a second and look at trapping limits. Yes, it is hard to defend the lifting of the trapping limit on wolverines (even Minister Loewen acknowledges this), which was one wolverine per registered fur management area (RFMA) in Alberta, excluding the Parkland and Grassland regions of the province, basically those areas east and south of Edmonton that don’t contain RFMAs anyways. But many of the RFMAs that had a limit of one wolverine were never going to produce a wolverine regardless—they just don’t have suitable habitat for this large member of the weasel family. So, lifting those limits won’t put an end to Alberta’s wolverine population; in fact, it won’t mean a thing. So, those with their hair on fire can drop the “there are more traplines than wolverines” argument anytime.

According to an Alberta Wilderness Association press release, “There is no reason to allow unlimited trapping of wolverines or other sensitive furbearing species,” says Ruiping Luo, conservation specialist with Alberta Wilderness Association. “Available data indicates trapping limits were too high, and needed to be reduced. Removing trapping limits contradicts all scientific data and decades of sustainable management.”

Okay, the first part of this statement is all-encompassing and false—I would like to see the “available data” that indicates trapping limits were too high in Alberta, written by somebody other than those with a big “donate” button on their website, of course. And then suggesting that “removing trapping limits contradicts all scientific data and decades of sustainable management” is simply not true. That “sustainable management” Luo is talking about is exactly what trappers have been doing for years. Why is nobody giving today’s modern trapper any credit? Trappers, through generations of experience, have developed an understanding of local wildlife populations. They follow unwritten codes or self-imposed limits based on knowledge they have gained, which goes beyond formal regulations. This practice is a form of self-regulation where trappers pull their traps to prevent over-harvesting, even if limits are officially lifted. Trappers are taught this through Trapper Education courses, and it just makes sense; why would trappers kill all the furbearers on their traplines, which would just put them out of business? This is nonsensical. Trappers are conservationists at heart and they have a vested interest in maintaining healthy populations for future harvests.

According to Luo, “The most recent wolverine population survey was conducted in 2003, with experts estimating that there were fewer than 1,000 breeding wolverines left in Alberta.” This is a dishonest statement.

What does Alberta Trappers Association president Bill Abercrombie have to say about that?

“That survey was based on data collected in the eastern slopes and data from the USA, not in the boreal forest, which supports a much larger breeding population. All wolverine habitats were sampled in the most recent survey carried out over a five-year period ending in 2018. That study confirmed a large wolverine population in the boreal forest, and a recent analysis of the genetic samples collected identifies a robust breeding population.

“The quota of one wolverine per RFMA was a barrier to managers and researchers being able to determine the status of wolverines in complex and changing landscapes.

“The Alberta Trappers Association Logbook Program will collect detailed information on the status of wolverines on a local level so that the population can be managed in a sustainable manner.” Minister Loewen has indicated that removing furbearer limits is a temporary measure to better understand population dynamics before setting scientifically sound quotas or limits.

So, can we all please relax a little—this is NOT the end of Alberta’s furbearers!

For the previous Outdoor Pursuits article, click here.