Alberta extends big game trophy hunting from three months to year-round

[awndray]

It’s an unprecedented move in a bid to attract big-money U.S. hunters, who pay as much as US$300K for a big horn ram tag at auction

The UCP government has extended a big game trophy hunting program from approximately three months to the entire year.

“To be hunting them this time of the year is totally wrong and unethical,” said Glen Pickering, who says he’s been hunting for more than four decades and relies on big game for all his meat.

“Never in the history of Alberta have we needed year-round hunters to manage these animals . . . none of these animals have a surplus this time of year.”

The extension of the Minister’s Special Licence program (MSL) dating back to the 1990s, which employs auctions and raffles, allows for the hunting per year of two each of bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, moose and wild turkey.

Pickering said the frail condition of bighorn sheep at the tail end of a harsh winter, combined with illnesses currently plaguing them, means the population is stressed and hunting them now is hardly sporting.

And he noted some of the province’s own wildlife aerial surveys in recent years indicates numbers of larger rams, which are the focus of the MSL hunts, have fallen compared to previous years.

“It’s not sound management and it’s not fair chase,” he said.

“We have lots of money in Alberta and we don’t need to be selling off these animals.”

And he said the change was slipped in quietly, though a government online PDF extolls the virtues of the new-look MSL which it says begins Sept. 1 of this year, adding “whether the holder of this permit comes once, or multiple times, they are certain to enjoy the hunt of a lifetime.”

While she admits not being familiar with the MSL program and its extension, conservation specialist Devon Earl said it’s crucial such bighorn sheep hunts be done sustainably.

“With the big males being hunted, you have to be careful in some areas of the province that it’s not affecting reproduction thresholds,” said Earl, who works for the Alberta Wilderness Association.

“It is a little concerning.”

[...]

A government scientist told Pickering the decision to extend the MSL was made in consultation with the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, which advocated for the change, and doesn’t violate hunting ethics.

“The opportunity to hunt these few specimens will not compel the licensees to hunt them at a time of bioenergetic ebb after a harsh winter, the hunter may pursue them at other times of the year,” wrote Dr. Brian Joubert of Alberta Forestry, Parks and Tourism.

An outfitter who spearheaded the creation of the MSLs in the 1990s said widening the season is environmentally sustainable while the program has proved its worth.

“We’ve probably only sacrificed a dozen rams for these millions of dollars brought in for these conservation projects,” said Lorne Hindbo, who’s served as president of the Alberta Outfitters Association.

“We’re talking about an animal that will die from natural causes in a year.”

Widespread opposition among Alberta hunters to any kind of trophy auctions is nothing new, he added.

“I can see some of his concerns, but I think (Pickering) is being a bit selfish,” said Hindbo.

[More]

https://nationalpost.com/news/local-...a-e17ed5ff8cfe

[blacksmithden]

All you needed to know, and I can pretty much guarantee that the ONLY big media company that would print that is The National Post.

While she admits not being familiar with the MSL program and its extension, conservation specialist Devon Earl

[Camo tung]

All you needed to know, and I can pretty much guarantee that the ONLY big media company that would print that is The National Post.

Not to mention the out of country hunter needs to hire a guide and in teh case of sheep (the pricey license) the target animal has to be of a certain curl length. You pays your $200K US or more and maybe you get an animal, maybe you don't.
As for the MSL for mule deer, those bastards are like belly-buttons - good to great examples are everywhere. If the US hunter wants to take a chance at a stanky speed goat, again be my guest.

[Swingerguy]

“We’ve probably only sacrificed a dozen rams for these millions of dollars brought in for these conservation projects,” said Lorne Hindbo, who’s served as president of the Alberta Outfitters Association.

“We’re talking about an animal that will die from natural causes in a year.”


Admittedly I know very little about bighorn ram life cycles, however I think that because the hunter is only allowed to hunt them if the rams horn reaches a certain size, and they only reach that size in older animals, it is pretty likely that they are nearing the end of their lives and there will be a younger ram hanging around willing to breed the females if the big guy gets killed.

I don't agree with hunting them in the spring though. I would think most hunters would prefer to hunt them when they are at the peak of health and strength.

[Dewey Cox]

I dont care.
If you're paying six figures for one of the few tags available this way, they should let you shoot it from a helicopter if you want.
For 300k USD, they should tie one up for you at the zoo.

They're all up in arms about this on the Alberta outdoorsmen forum, and I'm not about to start arguing with those guys...

[tigrr]

It is smear the conservatives time. Just watch the media. Any smear subject is fair game.

[Camo tung]

I dont care.
If you're paying six figures for one of the few tags available this way, they should let you shoot it from a helicopter if you want.
For 300k USD, they should tie one up for you at the zoo.

They're all up in arms about this on the Alberta outdoorsmen forum, and I'm not about to start arguing with those guys...

OMG...what WON"T they fight about over there? I quit visiting about a decade ago when they were set to lynch TJ yet again for some perceived slight or bit of wrong-thought. They should rename it "Fudd and Pudd play hide the spud.

[Dewey Cox]

OMG...what WON"T they fight about over there? I quit visiting about a decade ago when they were set to lynch TJ yet again for some perceived slight or bit of wrong-thought. They should rename it "Fudd and Pudd play hide the spud.

Thats why I'm there: the spud talk.

[Stealthfall]

A few big money americans will do far less harm than the excesses of the "stewards of the land" have often done but that can't be weaponized against a political party.