Hunting Season is Here

Hunting season is upon us. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are planning to hunt in the forested areas of Alberta, specifically in the regulated Forest Protection Area (FPA).

Various factors such as fire bans, restrictions or forest closures may affect your plans into the FPA. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.albertafirebans.ca. This tool provides a listing of active restrictions, bans, or advisories within the FPA and surrounding municipalities.

The 2017 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations is a great resource to ensuring the long-term success of wildlife management and conservation in the province. To learn and remain up-to-date on Alberta’s hunting regulations, make sure you review the most current issue, updated each year in July.

If you are planning to use your Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) while hunting, make sure you know where specifically you can use it. For a detailed look at acceptable OHV use areas in Alberta, please visit the 2017 Wildlife Management Unit Map.

It’s also important to consider what time of the day you are able to use your OHV while hunting. For complete information on legal use, visit the 2017 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations and click on “Vehicle Restrictions”.

While using your OHV in the Forest Protection Area, make sure debris and other material are removed from hot spots within OHV’s. These areas have been known to cause wildfires, so being conscious of where you are parking is very important. For more information on OHV safety and prevention tips, please visit http://wildfire.alberta.ca/resources/brochures and click on “Off-Highway Vehicles”.

Another item to consider when planning your hunting trip is exploding targets. They are legal to purchase, but they are prohibited within the FPA. Changes have been made to the Forest and Prairie Protection Act to improve public safety as they relate to preventing human-caused wildfires. For exceptions to these regulations, please contact your nearest Forest Area office.

Once you have decided where you are going, ensure you are following the rules and regulations of the camping area you are staying in. Provincial Recreation Areas, Provincial Parks, and random camping sites may have different requirements. For information on Provincial Parks and Provincial Recreation Areas, visit www.albertaparks.ca and search the campground you are staying in.

If you are allowed to have a campfire in the area you are camping in, remember to soak it, stir it, and soak it again before you leave it unattended. Repeat these steps until the fire is cool to the touch.

If you see a wildfire, report it immediately by calling 310-FIRE.