Outdoor Pursuits

In Alberta, the management of cougar (Puma concolor) and wolf (Canis lupus) populations has become a contentious issue, particularly in relation to protecting ungulate populations such as wild sheep, elk, moose, caribou, and deer in select Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). The Alberta government, supported by groups like the Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta (WSFAB) argues that controlling predator populations is essential to prevent the decline of these ungulate species, many of which could be at-risk due to predation in certain WMUs if actions aren’t taken.

Ungulates, including bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), elk (Cervus elaphus), moose (Alces alces), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are species that serve as prey for large predators like cougars and wolves, but they also play significant roles in maintaining biodiversity and provide value through hunting and wildlife tourism. Don’t underestimate the economic impact of hunting in communities throughout Alberta—the dollar amounts are staggering. A conservative estimate for resident hunter spending, including licences, equipment, and travel is up to $500 per hunter annually, depending on the extent of their activities. For many, this dollar number is small. In 2023, there were approximately 151,000 resident hunters—this translates to approximately $75 million in direct economic activity. The outfitted hunting industry generates much more than that. According to the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, that number is $327 million. So the need to protect ungulate populations is required for not only biodiversity reasons, but also for hunting’s economic impact, of which many depend including “500 professional outfitters and nearly 1,600 hunting guides”.

In many WMUs, ungulate populations are experiencing declines, raising concerns about their long-term sustainability. Bighorn sheep, for instance, are particularly vulnerable. Their populations have been affected by habitat loss, disease transmission from domestic livestock, and predation. Research shows that cougars can significantly affect bighorn sheep populations. Unlike wolves, which often hunt in packs and target a variety of prey, cougars are solitary ambush predators capable of preying on smaller ungulate populations, such as bighorn sheep in mountainous terrain—this is cause for concern and the WSFAB has been vocal in the need for predator control in wild sheep ranges.

Wolves are also a concern, particularly for threatened species like woodland caribou. The Alberta Woodland Caribou Recovery Plan uses wolf control in prime caribou habitats to bolster caribou populations. The Alberta Trappers Association also participates in a wolf management program in caribou zones, demonstrating the necessity of predator management to protect specific ungulates. Similar concerns apply to other ungulates in WMUs where populations are declining, as wolves can exert significant pressure on already stressed herds.

The decline of ungulate populations in certain WMUs is linked to a combination of predation and environmental issues, such as habitat fragmentation due to forestry and oil and gas development.

Government aerial surveys are also conducted to provide data on ungulate populations. These surveys show declines in species like moose, elk and deer in specific WMUs. For example, surveys in WMU 320 and WMU 208 have shown changing population estimates, with some areas showing lower-than-desired densities that could be worsened by predation.

Predation by cougars and wolves is concerning for ungulates with low reproductive rates or small population sizes, such as bighorn sheep and woodland caribou. Bighorn sheep, for instance, have a low reproductive rate, and predation on lambs and/or adults can significantly reduce populations. Studies also suggest that cougar predation on bighorn sheep in smaller ranges puts those populations at a much higher risk.

The WSFAB’s Ungulate Enhancement Program in wild sheep zones reflects the belief that targeted predator control can alleviate predation pressure on bighorn sheep, allowing their populations to maintain size, stabilize, or recover.

Hunters, along with groups like WSFAB, argue that without such measures, sheep populations will decline, potentially leading to localized extinctions. This view aligns with historical wildlife management practices in Alberta where wolf bounties and culling programs have been used since the 1800s to protect livestock, and more recently to maintain or restore ungulate populations, with predator populations remaining healthy.

Cougar populations, estimated at around 2,000 by Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, are considered above the “ideal” level of 1,500, prompting the expansion of cougar hunting areas, including within Cypress Hills Provincial Park. This estimate (though contested by some animal-rights activists), suggests that cougar numbers may be contributing to increased predation. Similarly, wolf populations have been targeted in areas where predation is a concern for ungulate recovery, as seen in the caribou recovery plan, which is working—a long-term study recently published in the journal “Ecological Applications” shows that caribou numbers are no longer dwindling; rather, they are instead, growing because of predator population control efforts.

Predator management is essential to protect declining ungulate populations like bighorn sheep and caribou in several WMUs. These species sustain biodiversity and provide for a $400 million hunting economy—the anti-hunting establishment chooses to ignore these facts.

For the previous Outdoor Pursuits article, click here.