Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations, 2012–2013: Alberta

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Watch for this loon on blue signs marking National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.

• Summary
• Hunting Zones
• Helpful Tip
• Open Seasons in Alberta
• Bag and Possession Limits in Alberta
• Report Your Migratory Bird Bands

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Summary

The information presented here is a summary of the law. For complete information on fines, general prohibitions, permitted hunting methods and equipment, the requirement to have adequate means to retrieve birds immediately, restrictions on the use of bait, the description of hunting zones and other restrictions on hunting, please refer to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and Migratory Birds Regulations. These, along with other useful information for hunters, can be found on the Environment Canada website (www.ec.gc.ca) on the Migratory Birds page in the Nature section, or you may contact:

Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
4999-98 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T6B 2X3
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

You are required to possess a valid federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit with a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to hunt migratory birds in Canada. This permit and stamp are valid in all provinces and territories. Most provinces and territories have additional licence requirements for hunting migratory birds and/or to carry firearms. To know what you require, and if there are further restrictions for hunting migratory birds, please verify the applicable regulations for the province/territory where you will be hunting. Note that all required permits and licences must be in your possession while you are hunting.

Waterfowler Heritage Days provide young hunters under the age of majority with the opportunity to practice hunting and outdoor skills, learn about wildlife conservation, and reinforce safety training in a structured, supervised environment. Licensed adult hunters who serve as mentors have an opportunity to pass on their considerable skills and knowledge by offering guidance and advice to younger hunters. The following rules are in effect:

• to participate, young hunters under the age of majority do not require the federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit;
• young participants must comply with all existing safety and licensing requirements found in the Firearms Act and provincial hunting regulations;
• participants must be accompanied by a licensed mentor over the age of majority; and
• mentors may not hunt or carry a firearm, and may accompany no more than two young hunters.

Non-toxic shot must be used to hunt migratory birds in all areas of Canada. Within National Wildlife Areas, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds. Hunters should consult provincial or territorial regulations for additional restrictions.

Helpful Tip

Canadians may be exposed to avian-borne viruses when hunting or handling migratory birds and other wild game. Environment Canada recommends the following website, maintained by the Public Health Agency of Canada, for information about minimizing the risk of exposure: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

Open Seasons in Alberta

Area	Ducks, coots and snipe	White geese (Snow andRoss’s geese)	Dark geese (Canada, Cackling and White-fronted geese)	WaterfowlerHeritage Days	Falconry season for ducks, coots and snipe
Zones* 1, 2, 3, 4and 8	Sept. 1 to Dec. 16, 2012	Sept. 1 to Dec. 16, 2012(a)	Sept. 1 to Dec. 16, 2012	Sept. 1 to Sept. 2, 2012	Sept. 1 to Dec. 16, 2012
Zones* 5, 6 and7	Sept. 8 to Dec. 21, 2012	Sept. 8 to Dec. 21, 2012(a)	Sept. 8 to Dec. 21, 2012	Sept. 1 to Sept. 2, 2012	Sept. 8 to Dec. 21, 2012

* “Zone No. 1” means that part of Alberta included in Provincial Wildlife Management Units (PWMUs) 501 to 506, 509 to 512, 514 to 519, 529 to 532, and 841.
“Zone No. 2” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 344, 347, 349 to 360, 520 to 528, 534 to 537, 539 to 542, and 544.
“Zone No. 3” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 200, 202 to 204, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, 240, 252, 254, 256, 258, 260, and 500.
“Zone No. 4” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 206, 208, 216, 220 to 222, 224, 226, 228, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336 to 340, 342, 346, 348, 429, 507, 508, and 936.
“Zone No. 5” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 151, 160, 162 to 164, and 166.
“Zone No. 6” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, 142, 152, 156, 158, 210, 212, 214, 300, 302 to 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314.
“Zone No. 7” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 102, 116, 118, 119, 124, 144, 148, and 150.
“Zone No. 8” means that part of Alberta included in PWMUs 316, 318, 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416 to 418, 420, 422, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436 to 442, and 444 to 446.
(a) Snow Goose call recordings may be used.

Bag and Possession Limits in Alberta

Limits	Ducks	White geese (Snow and Ross’s geese)	Dark geese (Canada, Cackling and White-fronted geese)	Coots	Snipe
Daily bag	8(a)	20	8(c)	8	8
Possession	24(b)	60	24(d)	24	24

(a)  Not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails.
(b)  Not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails.
(c)  For Canadian residents, not more than 5 may be White-fronted Geese. For non-residents of Canada, not more than 4 may be White-fronted Geese.
(d)  For Canadian residents, not more than 15 may be White-fronted Geese. For non-residents of Canada, not more than 12 may be White-fronted Geese.

Report Your Migratory Bird Bands

Call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or go to: www.reportband.gov