Caliber limitation in Alberta?

sunnyside

sunnyside

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Checked the hunting regulation in AB, found out "It is unlawful to use ammunition less than .23 caliber for big game". But Coyote and Wolf are both belong to "big game". I have a .223 rifle, does it mean my .223 can't be used in any hunting game in Alberta? That sucks!:mad:
 
Scott_N said:
You can legally use your 223 for coyotes and wolf in Alberta. Coyotes and wolf aren't defined as "big game."
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I hope so, but from AB government website it says:

Big Game Animals:
* White-tailed Deer
* Mule Deer
* Moose
* Elk
* Bighorn Sheep
* Mountain Goat
* Pronghorn Antelope
* Black Bear
* Grizzly Bear
* Cougar
* Coyote
* Wolf

Upland Game Birds
* Pheasant
* Ruffed Grouse
* Blue Grouse
* Spruce Grouse
* Sharp-tailed Grouse
* Gray Partridge
* Ptarmigan
* Merriam's Turkey
 
Under the Wildlife Act, wolves and coyotes are defined as "fur-bearing carnivores." Don't worry, as long as it's legal to shoot a wolf or coyote, your 223 is legal.
 
Scott_N said:
Under the Wildlife Act, wolves and coyotes are defined as "fur-bearing carnivores." Don't worry, as long as it's legal to shoot a wolf or coyote, your 223 is legal.
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That's good, thanks!

One more question: is that true a AB resident may hunt coyotes/wolves, without a licence? So what else paperwork I need for hunting those?

Thank you!
 
sunnyside said:
That's good, thanks!

One more question: is that true a AB resident may hunt coyotes/wolves, without a licence? So what else paperwork I need for hunting those?

Thank you!
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The information for hunting wolves / coyotes is on page 52 of the 2006 hunting regulations booklet. There is a season for both, although for coyotes there are plenty of areas where you can shoot them year round. Wolf season is from the opening of big game season to the end of May or June, depending on the WMU.
 
I would call about the wolves the regulations don't seem as clear on them, coyotes on the other hand aren't really game animals you can hunt them on Sunday and my kids can hunt them with a gun under the age of 14.
 
sunnyside said:
That's good, thanks!

One more question: is that true a AB resident may hunt coyotes/wolves, without a licence? So what else paperwork I need for hunting those?

Thank you!
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Sunnyside, you should really do yourself a favour and get a set of Alberta hunting regulations and read/understand. I did get myself into a snag once many years ago, I swore that it would never happen again. I don't think that anyone here would ever misguide you, certainly not purposely, but you must read your regs. :)
 
Ditto on that--do NOT depend on the website for the fine print. Get a copy of the regs. Get two or three. Keep one in your car with the relevant bits circled;-)
 
gitrdun said:
Sunnyside, you should really do yourself a favour and get a set of Alberta hunting regulations and read/understand. I did get myself into a snag once many years ago, I swore that it would never happen again. I don't think that anyone here would ever misguide you, certainly not purposely, but you must read your regs. :)
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Well said.

I too made a mistake in the past regarding the regulations, I made assumptions that I shouldnt have :redface: (no laws were broken). That will never happen again.

The regs are like a hunters bible during hunting season. I usually have 5-6 copies so that they are easily availible. Use them wisely, they can save your hide in the end :D
 
If there is something that isn't totally clear to you in the regs, call or email F&W. If you call talk to a CO; not a secretary and you will get an accurate answer.
 
Another tid-bit, you may not be aware of, is that you can shoot Coyotes on private land for livestock "protection". If you go door to door in the country, you may stumble accross a farmer/rancher who would let you shoot them on his property...Just a thought
 
Here is a link to the regs http://www.albertaoutdoorsmen.ca/huntingregs/

Here is a cut and paste of some relevant sections.
Other Species

Season Dates and Locations
NOTE: It is unlawful, with the following exceptions, to allow the pelt of any furbearing animal to be wasted:
It is not legally necessary to salvage pelts of 1) furbearing animals taken in accordance with regulations authorizing control of problem wildlife, or 2) coyotes harvested, by residents, outside of public lands in the Green Area.

Timber Wolf
A Resident may, without a licence, hunt (but not trap) timber wolf from the opening of any big game season in a particular WMU to May 31, 2007, or until June 15, 2007 in WMUs where black bear seasons are open until June 15, 2007.

A Non-resident or Non-resident Alien who holds a Non-resident/Non-resident Alien Wolf/Coyote Licence may hunt (but not trap) timber wolf from the opening of any big game season in a particular WMU to May 31, 2007, or until June 15, 2007 in WMUs where black bear seasons are open until June 15, 2007.

It is unlawful to use bait to hunt wolves in any area where baiting is not allowed for black bear (scroll up to view Attention Wolf Hunters!).

Coyote
A Resident may, without a licence and on land to which he or she has the right of access, hunt (but not trap) coyote at all times of the year throughout the province, except as follows:
1) on public lands in the Green Area, only from October 1, 2006 to February 28, 2007, and
2) in Camp Wainwright (WMUs 728 and 730), only from December 12, 2006 to February 28, 2007.

Since in the regulations wolf are under "Other Species" that the caliber restriction is not applicable. But I would still call, if you do, post the answer.
 
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