Some of these marked wildlife, as well as certain nuisance animals (e.g., some black bears), may have received drugs for research purposes or to facilitate their capture and handling. Any such animal will be marked with a tag advising that the meat of the animal should not be consumed before contacting the Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

Report Waterfowl Leg Bands by Telephone or Internet
All waterfowl leg bands recovered in North America can now be reported by telephoning the toll-free number 1-800-327-BAND (1-800-327-2263). Calls can be made from anywhere in Canada or the United States, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, operators are only available from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. eastern time, Monday to Friday. After-hours and weekend callers will hear a recorded message requesting they leave their name and daytime telephone number so that the Bird Banding Lab can call them back. Band recovery can also be reported by internet at the website www.reportband.gov. Recovered bands can still be reported by mail or to the nearest office of the Fish and Wildlife Division if you do not wish to report the band by telephone or internet.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE AND DEER MANAGEMENT

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a chronic degenerative and ultimately fatal prion disease of cervids (primarily deer and elk). It is not known to infect humans. The disease has been found in 127 mule deer and white-tailed deer along the Alberta/Saskatchewan border in WMUs 119, 150, 151, 152, 162, 163, 164, 200, 202, 203, 232, 234, 236, 256, 728 and 730 (see page 29 of this guide for a map of CWD cases in wild deer in Alberta).

Hunters and outfitters play a key role in assisting CWD management by helping to reduce deer numbers and by providing heads from harvested deer for the ongoing CWD surveillance program. Alberta began looking for CWD in wild deer in the hunting seasons in 1998. Since then we have tested over 33,000 heads of hunter-killed wild deer and elk and have found CWD in only 80 of them. Additional cases of CWD (n=47) were found as a result of government control programs implemented in 2005 to 2008.

All heads for testing, including the partial skull samples (as above), must have a green CWD label which gives each head a unique identification number. Be sure to include either GPS or land location as well as WMU and your WIN number for each head. When available, test results for each head will be accessible online via your WIN number at albertarelm.com.

For more information about CWD, contact your local Fish and Wildlife office or visit srd.alberta.ca.

Deer hunting opportunities have been expanded within the eastern border regions in order to maintain hunting pressure on deer populations and to standardize seasons and opportunities. Check carefully for the changes being implemented in 2012.

REPORT A POACHER

The REPORT A POACHER program provides Albertans with the opportunity to report suspected violations using a toll-free number: 1-800-642-3800 or #3800 on the TELUS Mobility network (courtesy TELUS Mobility). The line is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fishing or hunting out of season, night hunting, exceeding bag limits, illegal sale of fish and wildlife and deposit of harmful substances in lakes and rivers are violations that seriously affect fish and wildlife in Alberta. If you see or know of a violation, you should record all information, including

• date
• time
• location
• vehicle licence number
• vehicle description
• description of person(s) involved
• details of violation, and any other details, no matter how insignificant they may seem. You should then contact the nearest Fish and Wildlife Division office or call 1-800-642-3800 as soon as possible.

If the information provided concerns a resource violation and results in the laying of a charge, the reporter may be eligible for a reward. If you have any questions about this program, please contact the nearest Fish and Wildlife Division office.

WILD GAME PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY

The wild game public health advisory for the Swan Hills area — originally issued on December 13, 1996, by the Provincial Health Officer — has been revised as a result of more extensive wild game testing. While recent test results confirm that eating wild game from the Swan Hills area poses no immediate threat to human health, it is recommended that individuals limit the amount of wild game eaten.

For more information contact Alberta Health and Wellness at 780-427-7164.

COMMON LICENCE MISTAKES

GENERAL MULE DEER LICENCE
This general licence is valid during the “archery only” season, which precedes the general season. It is valid during the general season in the following WMUs: 316, 339-344, 347, 349-356, 412, 414, 432, 440-446, 511-520, 524, 525, 528-534, 536, 539-544 and 841. This licence is not valid during a season in which a Special Licence is required. In the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, special licences are required for all seasons where a small black box is located beside the season date.

SUPPLEMENTAL ANTLERLESS WHITE-TAILED DEER LICENCE
The Supplemental Antlerless White-tailed Deer licence is issued with two tags and is only valid in WMUs 258, 300, 310-314, 322-332, 336-340, 344-357, 360, 436-446, 500-503, 505-521, 523-531, 534-544. It is a general licence and does not require a draw application.

YOUTH MULE DEER LICENCE
This general licence is available for resident hunters who are 12-17 years of age and who are eligible to hunt. It is a general licence that is valid during the “archery only” season, which precedes the general season. It is valid during the general season in the following WMUs: 316, 339-344, 347, 349-356, 412, 414, 432, 440-446, 511-520, 524, 525, 528-534, 536, 539-544 and 841. This licence is not valid during a season in which a Special Licence is required. In the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, special licences are required for all seasons where a small black box is located beside the season date.

YOUTH WHITE-TAILED DEER LICENCE
This licence is valid for resident hunters who are 12-17 years of age and who are eligible to hunt. It is a general licence and is valid during a general season (archery or rifle). Because it is a general licence, it can not be used during the rifle season in WMUs 404, 406 and 408 (a special licence is required). In the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations, special licences are required for all seasons where a small black box is located beside the season date.

SUPPLEMENTAL BLACK BEAR LICENCE
This licence is only valid in WMUs 224, 250, 258, 260, 320-360, 429, 445, 500-544 and 841.

SPECIAL LICENCES
If you are drawn for a special licence, your draw priority returns to zero and that draw cannot be cancelled. You may not be able to purchase a particular general licence once you have been drawn for a special licence of that same species. Example: if you are drawn for Antlered Mule Deer, Antlered White-tailed Deer or Antlered, Antlerless, or Calf Moose you will not be able to purchase a general licence for that species. If you are drawn for Either Sex Elk, WMU 300 Elk, Antlered or Antlerless Elk, you will not be able to purchase a general elk licence. Resident hunters are able to purchase an elk licence in combination with the WMU 212 Antlerless Elk Archery and the WMU 212 Antlerless Elk Special Licence. See licence combinations.