Inter-Provincial Hunting Opportunities- a RANT

AR15meister

AR15meister

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I think it is misguided and unfair and surprising that our hunting organizations haven't fought against this. We are all Canadians and the animals and the land are a part of that.

I know you can apply with hunter hosts, for the special bighorn tag in AB (I apply every year) etc but this is something that I wish would be addressed one day.

I know some will write "so move to Ab/BC" or whatever but obviously that isn't in the cards for everyone.

Mainly I just want to be able to hunt sheep..... on my own.....in Canada...... . make it a once in a lifetime tag...make it whatever...but let it happen....its not fair the way it is currently. I think some greater concessions should be made to allow residents of other provinces to hunt key species.

rant over.
 
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You haven't hunted in the USA have you?

They have the very same issues. Non-resident of the state is non-resident, same as me coming from a different country.

Up until just recently no non resident could hunt for deer in Kansas.

Life isn't fair. Get over it.
 
Bigbubba said:
You haven't hunted in the USA have you?

They have the very same issues. Non-resident of the state is non-resident, same as me coming from a different country.

Up until just recently no non resident could hunt for deer in Kansas.

Life isn't fair. Get over it.
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in the USA you can apply for tags in many states. Canadians can too. In fact, Canadians have more hunting opportunities in the USA than Canada.

I hired Cabelas TAGS division to manage my applications there. It is possible.
 
AR15meister said:
I think it is misguided and unfair and surprising that our hunting organizations haven't fought against this. We are all Canadians and the animals and the land are a part of that.

I know you can apply with hunter hosts, for the special bighorn tag in AB (I apply every year) etc but this is something that I wish would be addressed one day.

I know some will write "so move to Ab/BC" or whatever but obviously that isn't in the cards for everyone.

Mainly I just want to be able to hunt sheep..... on my own...... without paying crazy money. make it a once in a lifetime tag...make it whatever...but let it happen....its not fair the way it is currently. I think some greater concessions should be made to allow residents of other provinces to hunt key species.

rant over.
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Montana unlimited big horn.
 
It's something the guide outfitters convinced the government of years ago. Lots of the GO's even grumble about the hunter host program.

I've often thought a better system for non residents would be if most of the non resident tags were allocated via lottery, with the winners deciding to either hire the local guide or not. This would allow the average Joe to DIY sheep hunting and the guys with big wallets can hire the guides.

There isn't much motivation to change the system though, so better start saving for your $45 000 USD stone sheep hunt. :)
 
Gatehouse said:
It's something the guide outfitters convinced the government of years ago. Lots of the GO's even grumble about the hunter host program.

I've often thought a better system for non residents would be if most of the non resident tags were allocated via lottery, with the winners deciding to either hire the local guide or not. This would allow the average Joe to DIY sheep hunting and the guys with big wallets can hire the guides.

There isn't much motivation to change the system though, so better start saving for your $45 000 USD stone sheep hunt. :)
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I don't really understand why the outfitters are opposed to the hunter host program. My father, who lives in a different province, is never going to hire a guide even if there is no hunter host program. He just wouldn't hunt anywhere but his home province. The vast majority of hunters can't or won't afford a guided hunt... And, btw, I wouldn't go back to his home province for a general season moose hunt if I had to hire a guide. $$$ Just ain't gonna happen for most of us. Even if I could spend $10-20k on a hunt, I'd go after Cape Buffalo. At least Alberta doesn't make you live here for 12 months before you're a resident hunter, unlike the Yukon!
 
If you think getting to hunt sheep is an issue you haven’t seen anything. SK only allows SK residents to hunt coyotes! I had one standing 100 yards from me this evening while I was watching a field we are hunting ducks on in the morning. He was still there watching us when we left after the birds headed back to the roost. Couldn’t shoot him since I am an AB resident...
 
the spank said:
If you think getting to hunt sheep is an issue you haven’t seen anything. SK only allows SK residents to hunt coyotes! I had one standing 100 yards from me this evening while I was watching a field we are hunting ducks on in the morning. He was still there watching us when we left after the birds headed back to the roost. Couldn’t shoot him since I am an AB resident...
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This has always blown me away. Maybe Manitoba’s one coyote bag limit for non residents gives it a run for the money
 
I have the same complaint as the OP. According to friends from Newfoundland, they are so over run with moose that they're actually a safety hazard. I understand the "non-resident" tag system, but I would like to see one price for Canadian hunters and then another price for foreign hunters. As I understand it, you MUST hire an outfitter if you wish to hunt in Newfoundland. Idiocy! If hunters could go with friends or family, they would bring a lot more money into the local economy and the moose population would be kept in check. A buddy of ours paid an outfitter for a guided hunt for him and his son. They're all pumped about the hunt, when next thing you know, the outfitter calls them, says "sorry" but your hunt is cancelled, here's your refund. Though he couldn't prove it, he's pretty sure some US hunter offered the outfitter more money for the tags and the hunt.
 
You gotta be kidding.
You want access to other Provinces resources, but don't want to pay the costs.
Alberta and Saskatchewan are feeling particularly screwed by the rest of the country. You'll not get much sympathy here.
 
AR15meister said:
I think it is misguided and unfair and surprising that our hunting organizations haven't fought against this. We are all Canadians and the animals and the land are a part of that.

I know you can apply with hunter hosts, for the special bighorn tag in AB (I apply every year) etc but this is something that I wish would be addressed one day.

I know some will write "so move to Ab/BC" or whatever but obviously that isn't in the cards for everyone.

Mainly I just want to be able to hunt sheep..... on my own.....in Canada...... . make it a once in a lifetime tag...make it whatever...but let it happen....its not fair the way it is currently. I think some greater concessions should be made to allow residents of other provinces to hunt key species.

rant over.
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Well, it's unfortunate that your not a resident of Alberta or BC. These two provinces are the Africa's of Canada, and that's the reason why I don't go to Africa. I know that there is an annual ticket draw for the Big Horn Ram, maybe you can purchase several tickets, to at least increase your chance to hunt. Tickets can be purchased through Alberta Fish and Game Association. I think that it will be forever if you want the governments to change the laws for non-residents.
 
savage 110L said:
I for one am glad for some protectionism. I cannot imagine what sheep hunting would be like with an open border.
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nobody is suggesting an open border.

a carefully managed system that allows other Canadians to benefit from hunting opportunities on a limited basis in different provinces is hardly an open border.

It is the true spirit. Its what I can assure you the great sportsmen like Roosevelt, etc would have advocated.

How is it fair that only the wealthiest Canadians can pony up for a sheep hunt?

I am not advocating Guys from Ontario flooding the BC/AB/SK hunting lands every single year but a limited in scope program to grant opportunities----come on that's not too much to ask.

I personally support the guide outfitters but even they should be able to recognize fairness and I think most would. Also- I bet many of the people who actually did obtain a tag, especially for something like a Stone sheep, would hire a guide/outfitter to assist with their hunt. I have been applying for the one bighorn sheep tag in Canada given to non resident Canadians in AB (just for preference points) for a few years now. I have actually spoken to 2 separate outfitters at the Safari Club show about guiding me when/if I do eventually get drawn. I will start applying my kids the day they are old enough to apply as well.

In the meantime I had a hunt cancelled in BC for bighorn (with an outfitter) due to the fires last September.

I just think we could do a better and more equitable job. If a few BC or AB sheep guys had to sit out one year so some Ontario guys could go sheep hunting I don't think that is the end of the world. Perhaps they would use that year to explore opportunities in another province, under some amended system.
 
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saskbooknut said:
You gotta be kidding.
You want access to other Provinces resources, but don't want to pay the costs.
Alberta and Saskatchewan are feeling particularly screwed by the rest of the country. You'll not get much sympathy here.
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Nobody said anything about not paying the cost. That would be unreasonable.

BUt I highly doubt most of the protectionist sheep hunters are paying 30-40k USD for a Bighorn or Stone hunt or 18-25k USD for a Yukon/NWT Dall hunt.

I spent a lot of dough hunting last year in various places around the world. I am happy and able to pay to hunt when I want to. This isn't about getting something for nothing. I will probably eventually pony up for a sheep hunt somewhere in Canada after I hunt all of the spots in Asia on my list.

The suggestion is that it would be nice to have DIY opportunities in your OWN country but a different province.

Please don't turn this into an Western Canadian boys whining about the rest of the country thread. that's an old song we have all heard before. I get it; I completely empathize. I hate taxes and I hate the spending that governments incur for political and ridiculous reasons. That all has nothing to do with a guy wanting to hunt a stone sheep or bighorn (and pay a commensurate tag cost) once in his life.

This is about hunting.
 
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AR15meister said:
nobody is suggesting an open border.

a carefully managed system that allows other Canadians to benefit from hunting opportunities on a limited basis in different provinces is hardly an open border.

It is the true spirit. Its what I can assure you the great sportsmen like Roosevelt, etc would have advocated.
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You make a pretty good point. I almost feel a little bad wanting all the sheep to myself.

Well if you want to come and hunt goats let me know. I’ve hosted a few guys, killed some goats. Almost as good as sheep and twice as scary.
 
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