Diseases  back to top

Diseases and parasites are normal parts of the life of a fur-bearer. Usually, they are not a problem either for the fur-bearer or for the person trapping an infected animal. Indeed, most parasites and diseases go completely unnoticed by trappers. However, there are situations where an animal may be infected with a disease that can be transferred to people. Such diseases are most often caused by bacteria and can be recognized readily by the presence of small white spots in the liver and spleen of an infected fur-bearer. Such animals should be handled carefully (preferably with gloves on). Any person who handles wildlife and then has persistent “flu-like” symptoms or redness, swelling, heat or pain in hands or arms should contact a medical doctor. Remember to tell the doctor the person has handled wildlife.

Carcasses from all fur-bearers suspected of being diseased should be submitted for examination to the nearest Fish & Wildlife Division district office.

Control of Problem Wildlife  back to top

Regulations allow landholders (residents only) to take immediate action to control some problem wildlife. The following privileges are beyond those permitted under fur management licences during fur seasons. Please contact your Fish & Wildlife Division district office when fur-bearers other than the species shown in this section are destroying property. A damage control licence may be necessary.

Section 38 of the Wildlife Act specifies that no person shall hunt wildlife or discharge firearms on or over occupied lands, or enter on such lands for the purpose of doing so without the consent of the owner or occupant.

Beaver may be hunted and trapped, without a licence and during all seasons, on privately owned land by the owner or occupant of the land, or by a resident with written permission from the owner or occupant of the land.

Wolf¹ may be hunted (but not trapped) without a licence during all seasons, as follows:

• on privately owned land by the owner or occupant of the land, or by a resident with permission from the owner or occupant.
  
• on public land by a person authorized to keep livestock on that land, or by a resident who has written permission from that authorized person.

The above authorities to hunt wolves extend to lands within 8 km (5 mi.) of the land described above, provided the authorized person or resident has right-of-access.

Coyotes¹ may be hunted (but not trapped), without a licence, at all times of the year throughout the province:

1. by a resident who has right of access to hunt on lands that are not public lands within the Green Area;
   
2. by the owner or occupant of privately owned land, on the privately owned land;
   
3. by a person maintaining livestock on public land, on that public land; or
   
4. *on lands described in c) that are in the Green Area, by a resident who is authorized in writing by the person described in c).

* These pelts must be salvaged.

(1) For further information and other seasons regarding the hunting of wolf and coyote, please refer to the 2011 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations.

Red fox may be hunted (but not trapped), without a licence and during all seasons, by a resident on privately owned land to which the resident has the right of access.

Badger and Red Squirrel may be hunted or trapped, without a licence and during all seasons, by a resident on privately owned land to which the resident has the right of access.

Skunk and raccoon may be hunted or trapped during all seasons by the owner or occupant of land, or by a person authorized by the owner or occupant, or by the holder of a licence authorizing the trapping of fur-bearing animals.

Rabbit or hare may be hunted (but not trapped), throughout the province, at any time of year, without a licence on land which the person has the right of access for hunting. A resident may use snares to take rabbit or hare, provided the snare meets Regulatory Requirements for the Use of Trapping Devices.

Bobcat may be hunted (but not trapped) by a resident on land which the resident has the right of access for hunting in WMUs 102, 104, 106, 108, 112, 116, 118 and 119 and that part of WMU 110 east of Highway No. 2 and south of Highway No. 3 from November 1 to February 28.