Thinking about taking up hunting (Alberta)

Madmardigan

Madmardigan

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
37   0   0
Location
Alberta
Some friends and I were talking about taking up hunting. None of us have hunted before (except gophers) and want to start small. I was thinking about rabbits and maybe coyotes. I did lots of reading today on our hunting regs, but some things are still unclear to me. I'm hoping some of you Albertans can clear some things up for me. As I understand rabbits can be hunted year round without a hunting licence on crown land. True? And coyotes can be hunted without a licence on private land?
All we're really wanting to do for now is go hiking with hopes of catching our lunch (rabbits, not coyotes. Unless their good eating, witch I doubt). And is there any other game that can be hunted without a licence that is worth eating?
So, as I read it we cant hunt with calibers smaller than .224. Dose this only apply to larger game like deer and bigger? It seems to me anything bigger than .22lr wont leave much meat on a rabbit. And is there mag restrictions for hunting game such as this, weather its a shotgun rifle, or semi-auto?
Sorry for all the dumb noob questions. I would eventually like to get my hunting licence and hunt some bigger game. I just want to start small to see if hunting is for me.
Thanks in advance.
 
It's nice to get info from fellow hunters but some folks who are trying to be helpful sometimes get it wrong. You don't want to get this wrong, the judge won't care that someone gave you wrong info. Read the Alberta Regs and get familiar with them and if you still are confused call the COs in your area to get it cleared up, most of them are willing to help new hunters.
 
ok, rabbits and coyotes are listed as varmint, they can be hunted but not trapped by any Alberta resident all year without license. Their are special areas this doesn't apply to, but basically if you have right to hunt the land (public land or permission on private) your golden.

Varmint you can use any caliber you want, only big game require a .23 or larger
 
Shotgun restriction to 2 in the magazine plus 1 in the chamber for a total of 3 rounds when doing any game bird hunting.
A semi-auto rifle that is legal for big game is a 5 shot magazine limit for hunting use in Alberta.
Does not apply to bolt actioned centrefire rifles or other manual repeaters: Example a 10 shot magazine on a Lee-Enfield rifle or the tubular magazine on a Marlin or Winchester lever gun. Both easy examples of high-power rifles that can exceed the 5 shot rule, that otherwise applies to a semi-auto rifle used for big game hunting. There are no limitations for rimfire rifles, semi-auto or otherwise. Of course these are for small game use only.

Yes, rabbits can be hunted year round in Alberta on unoccupied crown land where it is safe/legal to do so. But you have to do your homework to ensure you do not hunt on an oil patch area that is currently in use, or not on a crown land lease of pastureland before November 1 every year. (cattle pasture)
One is morally and legally required to seek permission (door knocking) from private land owners and a smile with a good attitude goes a long way for mutual respect.
Perhaps go to the concerned Rural Municipality Office and purchase a most current landowner map.
Some hunters go the full mile and volunteer to hunt coyotes during the off season (or help mending fence etc) & gain further trust and respect from the farm owner whom might allow other species to be hunted later on.

There are hunting zones around Calgary-Edmonton-Red Deer that forbid the use of any centre fire rifles during the big game seasons that are open.
(archery-muzzleloader-shotgun only)
Refer to the regulations for further details on local restrictions.

BTW, don't expect to go mere hiking and finding rabbits waiting for you to shoot them. Generally they hide in deep cover so they have thick cover at ground level and lots of overhead branches to keep them hidden from predators on the ground and others flying above them.
 
Last edited:
Brutus said:
BTW, don't expect to go mere hiking and finding rabbits waiting for you to shoot them. Generally they hide in deep cover so they have thick cover at ground level and lots of overhead branches to keep them hidden from predators on the ground and others flying above them.
Click to expand...

you sir have not gone walking through the birch trees out in the foot hills. so many rabbits, see a stand of birch, walk in, spook em, shoot a rabbit or two when they run for new cover.
 
You can hunt predators with 22-250 / 223. The .224 caliber or larger is a requirement for big game.

As mentioned, I would go ask the local SRD officer and re-read the regulations and take the Hunter Safety Course. You will need this as you need this to purchase your Wildlife Certificate and big game tags should you choose to hunt later. For rifles, any Non-Restricted will work - pump/semi-auto/bolt. A rifle in 223 or 22-250 would be good, 204 Ruger is another. Ammo is cheaper in the 223.

You can hunt predators such as coyote on private land during non-hunting seasons as long as you have permission from the landowner. Rabbits, I couldn't tell you as I have no interest in them-maybe only to see if the coyote populations are up if rabbits are high.

This is quoted right from the page in BIG GAME REGULATIONS-Alberta Hunting Regulations 2013. Link is below-see bottom section of page.

"Other Species


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, 2014, or until June 15, 2014 in WMUs where black bear seasons are open until June 15, 2014.

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, 2014, or until June 15, 2014 in WMUs where black bear seasons are open until June 15, 2014.

Coyote
A Resident may, except in WMUs 728 and 730, hunt (but not trap) coyote on lands to which he or she has the right of access to hunt, from the opening day of a big game season in a particular WMU to May 31, 2014, or until June 15 if the hunting is in a WMU that has a spring season for black bear ending on that date. In Camp Wainwright (WMUs 728 and 730) a Resident may hunt coyote from January 2, 2014 to February 28, 2014.

A Non-resident or Non-resident Alien who holds a Non-resident/Non-resident Alien Wolf/Coyote licence may hunt (but not trap) coyote on lands to which he or she has the right of access to hunt, from opening day of a big game in a particular WMU to May 31, 2014, or until June 15 if the hunting is in a WMU that has a spring season for black bear ending on that date.

Baiting for Wolves and Coyotes - On public land, hunters cannot use bait for hunting wolves or coyotes except a) from Dec. 1 to Mar. 31, or b) during an open season for the hunting of black bear where the setting out, use and possession of bait for the purpose of hunting black bear is permitted.

Each wolf or coyote bait site must have a readily observable sign showing the owner’s name, WIN, Big Game Outfitter-guide Permit Number, or Big Game Guide’s Designation Number.

These baiting restrictions do not apply to WMUs 102-166, to persons hunting under authority of a trapping licence, or on any private land.

Red Fox
A Resident may, without a licence and at all times of the year, hunt (but not trap) red fox on any privately owned land to which he or she has the right of access.

Red Squirrel and Badger
A Resident may, without a licence and at all times of the year, hunt or trap red squirrel and badger on any privately owned land to which he or she has the right of access.

Bobcat
A resident may, without a licence from November 1 - February 28, 2014, hunt (but not trap) bobcat in WMUs 102, 104, 106, 108, 112, 116, 118, 119 and in the portion of WMU 110 that lies east of highway 2 and south of highway 3. The use of dogs is prohibited. All kills must be registered at a Fish and Wildlife office.

Other Animals
Porcupine, rabbit, hare, raccoon and woodchuck may be hunted, but not trapped**, without a licence throughout the province, at all times of the year. Skunk may be hunted and trapped.

** Some exceptions apply. Please refer to the 2013 Alberta Guide to Trapping Regulations, available in September 2013. "

http://albertaregulations.ca/huntingregs/gameregs.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom