Albertans have always done things their way, carving out their own path. And when it comes to hunting, we’re no exception.
Across Canada and the U.S., hunting numbers have been steadily declining, with a 23% per-capita decrease in the number of people hunting between 1991 and 2016. The exception is in Alberta. In 2023, the number of resident hunters hit 151,085, a big jump from 119,664 in 2019 and an even more significant jump from 89,523 in 2005. And get this—the fastest-growing group of hunters in the province? Women. The highest participation rate? Those aged 25 to 46.
Hunting in Alberta is on the rise due to a mix of factors. Organizations like the Hunting for Tomorrow Foundation and the Alberta Hunter Training Instructors Association have put strong youth recruitment programs in place, and the province has introduced incentives to get more seniors and young people involved.
But it’s more than just programs and incentives. Many young and middle-aged Albertans are embracing self-sufficiency—exploring off-grid living and sourcing their own food, and they see hunting as a key part of that lifestyle.
Of course, Alberta’s rich hunting opportunities play a significant role, too. Moose, elk, deer, sheep, pronghorn—you name it, we’ve got it. And in recent years, the government has opened up more opportunities for predator hunting, including ‘problem bears’ and even female cougars. The province isn’t just hunter-friendly—it’s actively promoting hunting both at home and to non-residents looking for a top-tier destination.
As Alberta increasingly turns to hunters and trappers for wildlife management (instead of biologists), it’s no surprise that Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, is pushing for updates to hunting regulations. “As hunting and trapping continue to evolve, it’s essential that Alberta’s regulations do as well,” Loewen told reporters.
His proposed Bill 41 includes 24 regulatory changes, some widely praised as overdue modernizations, others sparking concern over the province’s direction.
Let’s break it down.
Modernizing Hunting
Hunters in Alberta may soon swap traditional paper tags for a high-tech alternative—electronic tags issued through a phone app. Provincial officials say the move is part of an effort to modernize hunting regulations and embrace new technology.
“We’re aligning our regulations with evolving hunting and trapping practices,” said Loewen, highlighting the shift toward digital convenience.
Another significant update in the proposed bill would allow hunters to use laser sights on their firearms. These devices project a visible laser dot onto the target, helping hunters aim more precisely.
According to a press release from the Government of Alberta, this change recognizes the “growing role of technology in modern hunting and trapping practices” while ensuring that laser sights do not fully illuminate the target.
Supporters argue that laser sights improve accuracy, leading to cleaner kills and fewer wounded animals. However, while this claim makes sense in theory, we couldn’t find solid research to back it up. Instead, studies suggest that laser sights are most valuable for short-range shots (under 100 metres) and can boost hunter confidence, especially in low-light conditions.
For long-range precision—especially in open or mountainous terrain where shots often exceed 100 metres—rifle scopes remain the gold standard, providing greater accuracy for ethical and effective hunting.
In short, the effectiveness of each sighting type depends on the conditions, but allowing both types of sights gives the hunter the option of choosing the best tool for the scenario.
Preventing Waste
Some of the proposed hunting regulations focus on reducing waste and making it easier for hunters to recover their game. One notable change in the bill would allow hunters to use leashed dogs to track wounded big game animals like deer and moose—something that could help ensure fewer animals are lost after being shot.
Another adjustment? Hunters would be allowed to shoot waterfowl from motorized boats as long as the boat isn’t moving. The idea is that this would make it easier to retrieve downed birds, reducing unnecessary waste.
But one controversial part of the bill would let hunters kill black bears and cougars purely for their meat—without being required to process and keep the hides. Until now, anyone taking a bear or cougar has had to have the hides processed, but some argue that shouldn’t be mandatory.
“If we have somebody that wants to hunt [black bears and cougars] 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,” said Loewen.
As expected, the debate online has been heated. Some Reddit users supported the idea: “Not being required to keep the hide off a bear… they’re a valid and delicious source of protein, in my experience. It makes sense to be required to keep at least one of the meat or hide, not both.”
Others were more skeptical: “Who eats cougar meat?” one user asked.
And then some felt the rule didn’t go far enough: “If this is really about preventing wastage, then people that kill bears and cougars should have to process the hides AND eat the meat.”
With strong opinions on both sides, this regulation is bound to spark more debate before any final decisions are made.
Levelling the Playing Field
The bill is designed to make hunting more accessible—especially for disabled hunters and younger enthusiasts.
Right now, hunters in wheelchairs are out of luck because the law classifies wheelchairs as vehicles, making it illegal to hunt from them. The bill aims to change that.
“We’re ensuring that Albertans with disabilities can continue to enjoy this important cultural tradition while using mobility aids,” said Todd Loewen.
Most people on Reddit supported the idea. One wheelchair user, however, pointed out the practical challenges:
“Full-time wheelchair user… a $25,000 Action Trackchair would be the only way I could return to hunting (with a buddy). Impossible otherwise in a manual wheelchair (and I’ve got a few different outdoor chairs with monster-sized wheels), never mind safely carrying a rifle and assorted hunting gear – the deer would be falling over laughing.”
Another proposed change would lower the minimum draw weight for bows from 40 lbs to 35 lbs, making archery hunting more accessible to smaller and younger hunters.
But the most controversial proposal? Allowing kids as young as 12 to hunt unsupervised.
Currently, minors (ages 12-17) must complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and have parental consent to get a firearms license. Under the old rules, anyone under 18 needed adult supervision while hunting. If this bill passes, licensed minors will be able to hunt alone.
This sparked a heated debate on Reddit. Many supported the change:
“Federal law means that the child would need a possession license that is the same as an adult’s in terms of training. Gun laws, which are federal, only make a child/adult distinction about buying guns.”
“I was handling a gun and plinking targets looong before I was even eligible for my learner’s or thought about driving… I understand people’s apprehensions if they’ve never been around guns, but we have great gun safety and education in Canada.”
“If you are young but have been trained properly, why do you need adult supervision? I think it makes sense; if you have a firearms license, you have been qualified.”
Others weren’t so sure:
“Can someone explain to me why kids would need to go hunting alone? I’m okay with hunting… but guns and kids unsupervised? Why?”
“The issue isn’t knowledge but maturity. Kids do dumb things. Let kids use guns without supervision, and kids will do dumb things with guns.”
Some pointed out that, even if the law allows it, parents should still be the ultimate decision-makers:
“Any responsible parent is going to know whether or not their kid is ready to be unsupervised with a firearm.”
With strong opinions on both sides, this specific change is bound to keep Albertans talking.
Final Word
Hunting has deep roots in Alberta; whether you love it or hate it, its popularity isn’t slowing down. The current government is expanding opportunities—not just for more people to hunt but also for hunting a wider range of species.
For the most part, Albertans don’t seem too bothered by the new regulations. The biggest controversy? Letting 12-year-olds hunt unsupervised. But beyond that, the real debate isn’t about the rules themselves—it’s about how the province relies on hunters and trappers as unofficial wildlife managers rather than using science to drive conservation decisions. That’s another discussion we’ve covered before.
Sarah Elmeligi, the Opposition NDP environment critic, acknowledges that some updates in the bill are necessary but argues it doesn’t fix past mistakes.
“Minister Loewen has already set a dangerous precedent with his attacks on Alberta’s wildlife, and this bill does nothing to reverse course or address the concerns of Albertans.”
So, what’s your take? Are these new hunting regulations a step in the right direction, or are they just a distraction from bigger issues in wildlife management?
