The Alberta Professional Outfitter’s Society (APOS) is a major stakeholder in the realm of sheep hunting, a species that has been a long-standing staple of the outfitted hunting industry in Alberta. Sheep outfitters annually guide numerous Resident, Non-Resident and Non-Resident Alien sheep hunters. To achieve consistent success, sheep hunting requires specialized equipment and knowledge—this is a major reason for the difference between the commercial harvest rates as opposed to the resident rate of harvest. In fact, we believe the true resident harvest rate is even lower than recognized, as a large portion of successful residents are guided by outfitters. This data, however, is not being collected. That outfitters are helping to increase the resident success rate in turn helps APOS maintain our 20% allowable Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien harvest. As per the 1993 management plan, we would like a minimum 20% of the bighorn resource allocation moving forward, with no less than 41 trophy rams allocated to the outfitting industry. At one time, the Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien harvest exceeded the resident harvest; not only have outfitters been reduced to 20% of the allowable harvest, but we also have a shorter season at a less productive time in which to conduct our sheep hunts. In short, outfitter opportunity is highly restricted when compared to that enjoyed by residents.
Obtaining transparent and accurate data continues to be an issue for those trying to sort through the many management options being considered for sheep management. Further, there is significant conflict in how the available data is interpreted by stakeholders, including wildlife managers, with regards to sustainable management options and preferences, appropriate horn-measuring methodologies and sheep population numbers. This could be improved by having an intensive training program that offers information on how to properly age, measure (using the B&C or SCI systems) and count rams. Having reliable data on registered rams that includes horn configuration (tight or open curl) and whether they’re broomed or full-curl would be very valuable as well.
Aerial population counts are very unreliable due to the time of year they’re conducted and the influence of weather on both sheep behaviour and visibility. Further, it’s difficult to find all the sheep in a given area within the confines of limited flight time. More intensive ground counts need to be conducted to supplement the information gathered through aerial surveys. Local outfitters, as well as other stakeholders, could assist in this effort.
No data has been collected on the impact to sheep populations and hunting related to the reduction of areas formerly available to hunting that are now captured within parks where hunting is prohibited. These encompass vast areas that, in most cases, include very productive bighorn ranges where hunter access has now been eliminated or significantly reduced – i.e. - White Goat Wilderness Area, Siffleur Wilderness Area, Ghost River Wilderness Area , etc. Additionally, there’s been no evaluation of the relationship between these areas, National parks and the open-to-hunting crown land that many, if not most, of our sheep share. We are not aware of any data on specific seasonal herd migration other than on Ram Mountain and Sheep Creek, which don’t reflect the majority of Alberta’s sheep range. There’s also been no analysis conducted as to why some WMUs produce more sheep than others, particularly as it relates to historic harvest rates. We believe these data gaps must be addressed before any long-term management decisions are made.
With respect to predation issues, we would like to see additional studies that document sheep mortality by predation. We also support increased predator harvest opportunities and effort throughout our sheep ranges.
There has been a decline in range quality and quantity across much of our best sheep habitat. We do not advocate the increased harvest of ewes as a way to mitigate this. Rather, we support the use of fire, both natural and prescribed, as a means to realize improved sheep range.
We would like a commitment to follow a sheep management plan - the 1993 plan was well-reasoned and detailed but it was not followed, to the detriment of sheep and the sheep hunting fraternity.
APOS finds the new draft sheep management plan to be unreasonably vague, with no identified population goals, harvest goals or specific management plans for key sheep ranges in Alberta. We don’t believe that a blanket approach is the answer to sheep management issues, as each herd is facing different influences across its home range and, therefore, requires individually-developed management strategies.
Several suggestions for strategies to achieve trophy ram goals are included in the draft plan; following is APOS’ position of support, or not, for each proposed strategy: (These are in point form and are meant to represent a direct quote from the current draft plan)
Longer waiting periods - Support
Increased license fees - Support
Limited number of trophy rams in a lifetime - Support
Restrictions on the number of big game licenses held- Not in Support
Increasing the number of full-curl minimum WMUs – Not in Support
Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
LEH full-curl – Not in Support
Shortened season length – Not in Support
Increased waiting periods based on the size of ram taken - Support
Split seasons – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Royalty fee - Support
Quota 4/5-curl – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Archery seasons or primitive weapons – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Access restrictions – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Although we are not in support of a blanket fix, at this time APOS member outfitters have made it clear that when considering any regulation change, they should be implemented both north and south of the Brazeau River to avoid putting increased pressure on sheep in the north and creating another potential problem. We realize the Management plan is a work in progress and hope area-specific management issues will be addressed in the future for those specific issues. We are opposed to the implementation of any full-curl seasons for Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien hunters.
Most sheep outfitters are very concerned about the prospect of a full-curl only regulation due to the expected lack of success they’ll experience as a result. One idea we could support is the implementation of a full-curl general license during the resident-only general season, and a resident draw for 4/5-curl rams during the Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien season. In other words, the first week and the last two weeks of the resident season would be open for full-curl rams only. The middle weeks of the season would have a resident draw for 4/5-curl rams. All current sheep draws would remain 4/5-curl . This would allow unlimited opportunity for residents seeking full-curl rams, while concurrently allowing for some of the older, broomed rams to be harvested and not die of old age. All Non-Residents/Non-Resident Aliens would be on a 4/5-curl tag. Alternatively, APOS would consider supporting a total 4/5-curl LEH for all residents, or a 4/5-curl LEH in combination with the supported options listed above.
A major concern is the impact of hunter numbers on the quality of the hunting experience. This year, the proposed sheep regulation changes resulted in a significant increase in resident hunter numbers afield. Many of these residents were serious about hunting sheep and, throughout the Resident and Non-Resident season, put in the extensive required time to find and harvest a ram. The resultant crowding on the mountains reduced the quality of the sheep hunting experience for all hunters, Resident and Non-Resident alike.
Outfitters also have concerns about the increased access in WMUs 420 and 422 due to the impact of ATV clubs, new roads, trail system repairs and bridges in high harvest areas. We also have some concerns about the lack of road-corridor enforcement in sheep areas.
Outfitters are willing to adopt changes to ensure that Alberta’s sheep hunting continues to be among the best in the world. Sheep outfitters have suggested many alternatives to the full-curl proposal and believe most would contribute to meeting the department’s objectives; we have been, and will continue to be, more than willing to work with wildlife managers and other stakeholders in seeking reasonable and meaningful solutions. APOS outfitters are available to work with wildlife managers in identifying responses to region-specific concerns, and believe that the extensive time they spend in the very heart of Alberta’s sheep ranges can provide added value to management decisions impacting our sheep herds.
Lastly, irrespective of any regulation changes enacted, it’s critical that a 3- or 4-year transition period for outfitters be implemented; sheep hunter’s book outfitted hunts several years in advance, and any changes put into immediate effect could result in significant legal and financial problems for both industry members and the government.
Chad Lenz and Neil Beeman
Sheep Task Force
__________________
Obtaining transparent and accurate data continues to be an issue for those trying to sort through the many management options being considered for sheep management. Further, there is significant conflict in how the available data is interpreted by stakeholders, including wildlife managers, with regards to sustainable management options and preferences, appropriate horn-measuring methodologies and sheep population numbers. This could be improved by having an intensive training program that offers information on how to properly age, measure (using the B&C or SCI systems) and count rams. Having reliable data on registered rams that includes horn configuration (tight or open curl) and whether they’re broomed or full-curl would be very valuable as well.
Aerial population counts are very unreliable due to the time of year they’re conducted and the influence of weather on both sheep behaviour and visibility. Further, it’s difficult to find all the sheep in a given area within the confines of limited flight time. More intensive ground counts need to be conducted to supplement the information gathered through aerial surveys. Local outfitters, as well as other stakeholders, could assist in this effort.
No data has been collected on the impact to sheep populations and hunting related to the reduction of areas formerly available to hunting that are now captured within parks where hunting is prohibited. These encompass vast areas that, in most cases, include very productive bighorn ranges where hunter access has now been eliminated or significantly reduced – i.e. - White Goat Wilderness Area, Siffleur Wilderness Area, Ghost River Wilderness Area , etc. Additionally, there’s been no evaluation of the relationship between these areas, National parks and the open-to-hunting crown land that many, if not most, of our sheep share. We are not aware of any data on specific seasonal herd migration other than on Ram Mountain and Sheep Creek, which don’t reflect the majority of Alberta’s sheep range. There’s also been no analysis conducted as to why some WMUs produce more sheep than others, particularly as it relates to historic harvest rates. We believe these data gaps must be addressed before any long-term management decisions are made.
With respect to predation issues, we would like to see additional studies that document sheep mortality by predation. We also support increased predator harvest opportunities and effort throughout our sheep ranges.
There has been a decline in range quality and quantity across much of our best sheep habitat. We do not advocate the increased harvest of ewes as a way to mitigate this. Rather, we support the use of fire, both natural and prescribed, as a means to realize improved sheep range.
We would like a commitment to follow a sheep management plan - the 1993 plan was well-reasoned and detailed but it was not followed, to the detriment of sheep and the sheep hunting fraternity.
APOS finds the new draft sheep management plan to be unreasonably vague, with no identified population goals, harvest goals or specific management plans for key sheep ranges in Alberta. We don’t believe that a blanket approach is the answer to sheep management issues, as each herd is facing different influences across its home range and, therefore, requires individually-developed management strategies.
Several suggestions for strategies to achieve trophy ram goals are included in the draft plan; following is APOS’ position of support, or not, for each proposed strategy: (These are in point form and are meant to represent a direct quote from the current draft plan)
Longer waiting periods - Support
Increased license fees - Support
Limited number of trophy rams in a lifetime - Support
Restrictions on the number of big game licenses held- Not in Support
Increasing the number of full-curl minimum WMUs – Not in Support
Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
LEH full-curl – Not in Support
Shortened season length – Not in Support
Increased waiting periods based on the size of ram taken - Support
Split seasons – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Royalty fee - Support
Quota 4/5-curl – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Archery seasons or primitive weapons – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Access restrictions – Support, depending upon the details and their effect on outfitted hunting
Although we are not in support of a blanket fix, at this time APOS member outfitters have made it clear that when considering any regulation change, they should be implemented both north and south of the Brazeau River to avoid putting increased pressure on sheep in the north and creating another potential problem. We realize the Management plan is a work in progress and hope area-specific management issues will be addressed in the future for those specific issues. We are opposed to the implementation of any full-curl seasons for Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien hunters.
Most sheep outfitters are very concerned about the prospect of a full-curl only regulation due to the expected lack of success they’ll experience as a result. One idea we could support is the implementation of a full-curl general license during the resident-only general season, and a resident draw for 4/5-curl rams during the Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien season. In other words, the first week and the last two weeks of the resident season would be open for full-curl rams only. The middle weeks of the season would have a resident draw for 4/5-curl rams. All current sheep draws would remain 4/5-curl . This would allow unlimited opportunity for residents seeking full-curl rams, while concurrently allowing for some of the older, broomed rams to be harvested and not die of old age. All Non-Residents/Non-Resident Aliens would be on a 4/5-curl tag. Alternatively, APOS would consider supporting a total 4/5-curl LEH for all residents, or a 4/5-curl LEH in combination with the supported options listed above.
A major concern is the impact of hunter numbers on the quality of the hunting experience. This year, the proposed sheep regulation changes resulted in a significant increase in resident hunter numbers afield. Many of these residents were serious about hunting sheep and, throughout the Resident and Non-Resident season, put in the extensive required time to find and harvest a ram. The resultant crowding on the mountains reduced the quality of the sheep hunting experience for all hunters, Resident and Non-Resident alike.
Outfitters also have concerns about the increased access in WMUs 420 and 422 due to the impact of ATV clubs, new roads, trail system repairs and bridges in high harvest areas. We also have some concerns about the lack of road-corridor enforcement in sheep areas.
Outfitters are willing to adopt changes to ensure that Alberta’s sheep hunting continues to be among the best in the world. Sheep outfitters have suggested many alternatives to the full-curl proposal and believe most would contribute to meeting the department’s objectives; we have been, and will continue to be, more than willing to work with wildlife managers and other stakeholders in seeking reasonable and meaningful solutions. APOS outfitters are available to work with wildlife managers in identifying responses to region-specific concerns, and believe that the extensive time they spend in the very heart of Alberta’s sheep ranges can provide added value to management decisions impacting our sheep herds.
Lastly, irrespective of any regulation changes enacted, it’s critical that a 3- or 4-year transition period for outfitters be implemented; sheep hunter’s book outfitted hunts several years in advance, and any changes put into immediate effect could result in significant legal and financial problems for both industry members and the government.
Chad Lenz and Neil Beeman
Sheep Task Force
__________________
