Is It Legal to Shoot a Fox in Alberta

Ecological reserves Ecological reserves preserve and protect natural heritage in an undisturbed state for scientific research and education. The main objective of this category of protected areas is the strict conservation of natural ecosystems, habitats, features and associated biodiversity. Hunting is prohibited in ecological reserves. Wilderness Areas Wilderness areas preserve and protect natural heritage that provides visitors with non-consuming, nature-based outdoor recreation opportunities. Hunting is prohibited in wilderness areas. Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas Provincial parks preserve natural heritage; They support outdoor activities, heritage tourism and natural heritage presentation that depend on and are compatible with environmental protection. Provincial recreation areas support outdoor recreation and tourism, often providing access to adjacent lakes, rivers, reservoirs and Crown lands. In general, hunting or discharging a firearm (or bow) is prohibited in provincial parks and provincial recreation areas. Hunting is permitted in Castle Provincial Park and moose season is permitted in Cypress Hills Provincial Park. In addition, there are big game and wild bird seasons in Blue Rapids, Fickle Lake, Wapiabi, Cooking Lake-Blackfoot, the northwest corner of Evan-Thomas, Sulphur Gates and Lakeland Provincial Recreation Areas.

A firearms unloading permit is required to hunt in all provincial parks and recreation areas, with the exception of Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area, Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area, Fickle Lake Provincial Recreation Area and Wapiabi Provincial Recreation Area. Orientation sessions may also be required before hunting is permitted in a provincial park or recreation area. For more information on firearms release licences and hunting orientation activities in provincial parks or recreation areas, consult www.albertaparks.ca Unless the hunt is taking place in a provincial park or recreation area where the season is open, all firearms must be unloaded. packaged or dismantled. Wildland Provincial Parks Wildland Provincial Parks preserve and protect natural heritage and provide backcountry recreational opportunities. Hunting is permitted in Wildland Provincial Parks. However, bison hunting is not permitted in Wildland Provincial Parks outside of the special bison season at Hay-Zama Wilderness Park for holders of a special bison permit. Other bison harvesting opportunities may be available in specific areas, such as Caribou Mountains Forest Park, to achieve conservation and management objectives.

Special access restrictions apply to all motor vehicles. Wilderness Willmore Wilderness Park was established in 1959 under its own legislation and has a similar intent to wilderness parks. Hunting is permitted at Willmore Wilderness Park; However, the use of off-road vehicles (and snowmobiles) is not permitted. Hunters are advised that adjacent collection areas have different regulations than the Willmore Wilderness Wilderness Park. For more information and maps, contact the Hinton Parks Division office at 780-865-8395. Heritage Routes Heritage Routes preserve and protect the representative natural features of Alberta`s prairies, and grazing is used to preserve grassland ecology. Two heritage courses have been established in Alberta – Black Creek Heritage Rangeland in the Whaleback area and OH Ranch Heritage Rangeland near Longview. These areas are managed jointly with Alberta Environment and Parks and pasture tenants. Hunting is permitted, but access is subject to the conditions of access to the leases. Access requirements are under aep.alberta.ca, select Recreation and Public Use, and then select Recreation on Public Agricultural Lands. Natural areas Natural areas preserve and protect places of local importance and provide opportunities for recreation and appreciation of nature.

Hunting is permitted in natural areas, but some areas with special management and safety considerations limit hunting and access, e.g. Wagner Natural Area, Riparian 56 Land, Sherwood Park Natural Area. For more information, see www.albertaparks.ca. The conditions for access to natural areas subject to grazing are under aep.alberta.ca. Go to Recreation and public use. Kananaskis Country is a multi-purpose area consisting of both protected areas and public lands. Hunters need to know what kind of land they are accessing. Access to certain areas may be affected if roads and recreational trails are temporarily closed. Information and maps are available at the Kananaskis Country Visitor Information Centres. For more information, see albertaparks.ca. Hunter – Please note that bait from all wildlife, including bears, wolves and coyotes, is not permitted in all provincial parks, provincial recreation areas and Wildland provincial parks.

There are two exceptions: 1) a limited number of Registered Fur Management Area (RPMA) holders (registered trappers) and 2) a limited number of hunting guides who in the past were authorized to conduct commercial leadership activities that used bait in an area before the area was established as Wildland Provincial Park. Both exceptions are administered through permits and permits from Alberta Environment and Parks. For more information, please contact your local Parks Division office. Wildlife found dead in parks In provincial parks, provincial wild parks and provincial recreation areas, it may be illegal to remove dead wildlife you find. For more information, please contact your local Parks Division office. To obtain a licence to possess fallen wildlife, contact your local fish and wildlife office. Hanging and storing big game Unless authorized by a conservation officer, it is illegal to dress, hang or store big game in a provincial park or recreation area. When these activities are permitted, please follow safe storage practices to avoid human-animal conflict. Be respectful of other provincial parks and protected areas are multi-use areas and are used by a variety of recreational users throughout the year. When hunting in these areas, respect other users and be aware that hiking, biking, camping, picnicking or other activities may take place nearby.

Be careful when carrying firearms and avoid using firearms for target shooting and aiming rifles. For more information on hunting in provincial parks and protected areas, please visit albertaparks.ca or contact your local Alberta Parks and Environment Office. Edmonton: 780-427-3582 Northwest Region: 780-538-5350 Northeast Region: 780-623-5235 Central West Region: 780-960-8170 Central East Region: 403-340-7691 Kananaskis Country: 403-678-5508 South Region: 403-382-4097 As part of the registration process, trophy sheep horns are provided with a permanent identification marker.