Alberta Highways
Alberta has some of the best highways in Canada. Highway 2 from the Montana border to Edmonton is a devided Highway. Also Highway 43 from Edmonton to Grande Prairie is currently being devided. Two east west highways are also devided, those being Highway 1 from Medicine Hat to Banff National Park, and Highway 16 from Lloydminster to Jasper National Park .Jasper and Banff National parks are two of Canada's most beautiful parks located in the rugged Rocky Mountains and offer many outdoor opportunities. Hunting is not allowed in the National Parks
Alberta is located in western Canada as seen on the Canada map. Alberta is joined by Montana to the south, British Columbia, Canada to the west, Saskatchewan, Canada to the east, and the North West Territories to the North. Alberta has a population of approximately 2.9 million people with about one third located in metopolitan Edmonton, one third in metropolitan Calgary and the other one third located in smaller cities, towns and rural areas through out the province. Because of the very diverse topography including mountains, foothills, plains, and boreal forest, Alberta offers excellent hunting opportunities for residents as well as for non residents. Species available for hunting in Alberta are listed in the following table. All non resident big game hunts must be booked through a licenced outfitter who will provide an Alberta hunting guide
Boreal
Forest
The Boreal region is characterized by vast expanses of
mixed forests of coniferous spruce, pine and larch, and deciduous poplar
and birch. These stands are broken by numerous lakes, muskegs and rivers.This
area is best for hunting Moose, and Black Bear
Boreal
Forest Camp
Mountain
This rugged region
is a portion of the Canadian Rocky Mountains that stretches along much
of the western border of Alberta. It is characterized by forests of coniferous
trees, such as spruce, fir and pine. At higher elevations, permanent snow
fields and glaciers are scattered among rocky ledges, scree slopes and
alpine meadows. This area is best for Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer and Elk
hunting. Hunting in the mountain areas requires a Class A Outfitter and
is usually done on horseback with a licenced hunting guide
Alberta Caribou
Parkland
The parkland is a transition
between the mixed-wood forests to the north and west and the drier prairies
to the south and east. Stands of poplar are interspersed with grasslands
and meadows, giving areas a park-like appearance. This rich agricultural
land possesses black soils and receives ample rainfall. This area is
best for Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Pheasant, and waterfowl hunting
Alberta Grey Owl
Prairie
Grassland,
sagebrush plains and agriculture croplands predominate this region.
The most striking feature is the absence of trees, except in river valleys
and coulees where moisture is sufficient to support cottonwoods and
other deciduous trees. Much of this region is ranching and farming country.
This area is best for Antelope,
Mule Deer, and pheasant hunting.
Foothills
The
foothills are similar to the mountain region, but are lower in elevation
and generally drier. Forests of spruce, pine and poplar are often broken
by tracts of grassland. This mosaic of vegetation provides good habitat
for a variety of wildlife. The foothills area is mostly unihabited is
great for hunting Moose, Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear,
and Wolves,
Bringing Firearms to Alberta
The following is a summary interpretation of some of the federal firearms
legislation as it pertains to sport hunting in Alberta. For further information
about federal firearms laws and regulations, contact your local police
service, or the Canadian Firearms Centre — telephone toll free, 1-800-731-4000.
Federal regulations allow the use of firearms for specified activities that include hunting. The possession of a loaded firearm is lawful, however, only in a location where the firearm may be discharged in accordance with any applicable federal and provincial acts and regulations, and municipal bylaws.
Possession Licence for Minors
A person 12 to 17 years of age must obtain a Minor’s Licence to use
non-restricted firearms, such as rifles and shotguns, for hunting, target
practice, firearms instruction or taking part in an organized shooting
competition. The parent or legal guardian of the minor must give consent
to the issuing of the licence. Note: a minor’s licence does not permit
the holder to acquire (buy, inherit, receive as a gift or take in trade)
firearms.
A licence is not required if a person, lawfully in possession of a firearm, allows a minor to use the firearm, in the same manner as the person is allowed to use it, and the minor is under the person’s immediate supervision.
Transportation of Firearms
A person who is authorized to have a non-restricted firearm may transport
the firearm in a vehicle if the firearm is unloaded. A person may transport
a non-restricted firearm by other means of conveyance (e.g., on an off-highway
vehicle) provided it is unloaded and it is not left unattended if the
vehicle cannot be locked.
Bringing Firearms into Canada
All firearms must be declared upon entry into Canada. Canada Customs requires
the declaration be made in writing and charges a fee of $50 Cdn. This
declaration is valid for 60 days. All pistols, revolvers and automatic
firearms are restricted or prohibited weapons and may not be brought into
Canada for hunting purposes.
Storage of Non-restricted Firearms
If a firearm is left in an unattended vehicle, the firearm must be secured
in a locked trunk or similar compartment. If the vehicle has no such compartment,
the firearm must be stored in the vehicle out of sight (not visible from
outside the vehicle), and the vehicle or compartment containing the firearm
must be securely locked.
A person must store a firearm unloaded and in a secured manner to ensure that it will not be readily available for use in a careless manner.
Unloaded Firearm
Unloaded, as it relates to a firearm, means that any propellant powder,
projectile or cartridge that is capable of being discharged from the firearm
is not contained in the breech or firing chamber or in a cartridge magazine
attached to or inserted into the firearm.
The only exemptions are muzzle-loading, non-restricted firearms (e.g., a muzzle-loading rifle or muzzle-loading shotgun that is lawful for hunting under the Wildlife Act) which may be transported loaded between hunting sites provided that the firing cap or flint is removed.
For more detailed
information regarding Canada's firearm legislation follow this link:
http://www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/en/visitors/default.asp