Hunters and trappers focus of new bill amending Alberta’s wildlife management practices

A black bear stands near the side of Highway 881 near Conklin, Alberta on Tuesday May 10, 2016. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward) (Jonathan Hayward/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Amendments to The Wildlife Act, introduced Wednesday, look to change Alberta’s wildlife management practices.

According to the province, Bill 41 is designed to enhance hunting and trapping practices, support humane management of wildlife and bring regulations in line with modern technologies.

“Hunting and trapping are more than just recreational activities for many Albertans, they’re deeply rooted in our social, cultural and economic heritage,” said Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen.

“These changes will ensure that we continue to manage our wildlife resources responsibly, and make it easier for all Albertans to participate in hunting and trapping and protect the long-term health of our ecosystems and wildlife populations.”

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Loewen said a key goal of the bill is to improve accessibility for hunters and trappers, including those with a disability, by changing the definition of a vehicle used for hunting.

“We’re also lowering the minimum draw weight for bows … this change will allow youth hunters and those of smaller stature to participate in bow hunting with greater ease,” he added.

The bill includes other amendments introducing clear residency requirements, expanding the

use of certain laser aiming devices, allowing for the use of electronic tags and clarifying rules for electric licenses and permits.

Loewen said Bill 41 will also clarify rules around hunting and trapping tools, and address the misuse, spoilage or abandonment of harvested animal body parts – including removing the requirement to keep the hide of black bears and cougars.

“If we have somebody that wants to hunt those animals just for the meat, then I think they should be allowed to have that opportunity and not be forced to process a hide that they have no desire to keep,” Loewen said.

The minister of forestry and parks has been questioned in the past regarding his oversight of the ministry of forestry and parks due to his financial ties to Red Willow Outfitters, a company offering guided hunts.

On Wednesday, Loewen reiterated that he sees no issue with his family’s involvement in the outfitting industry and his decisions benefitting hunters as minister.

“Just like any minister in government, there’s certain things that I have to do in order to become a minister, those have all been in line with the ethics commissioner’s office, and so there is no conflict of interest there.”

The Wildlife Amendment Act comes four months after Loewen lifted restricted trapping and harvesting limits on river otters, wolverines, fishers and lynx.

That decision received pushback from conservationists and scientists who questioned the minister’s claims the move would improve the collection of data on those animals, some of which were previously hunted to near eradication in Alberta.

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Other amendments in Bill 41 include geographic restrictions on domestic sheep and goats, and the removal of judicial order requirements for Fish and Wildlife officers to allow them to respond faster to violations.

With files from The Canadian Press