Sherwood Park Fish & Game Association

Within days of announcing yet another attack on farmers, duck hunters and sports shooters the Liberals announced their intention to reduce mandatory minimums of... criminals who use firearms. Attacking law abiding firearms owners while giving a pass for criminals is ridiculous. It’s time to get tough on violent criminals and STOP the attack on law abiding firearms owners. Like & Share if you AGREE

Very cool footage indeed!

Wonderful colouring on this little guy, so glad he was rescued. Interesting that he'd be dining on duck in February. In the comments to the original post the OP indicates that he'd settled on it being a bobcat. Doing a little googling, it looks like determining the dividing line between 'bobcat' and 'lynx' isn't always straight-forward: https://news.ok.ubc.ca//copy-cats-when-is-a-bobcat-not-a-/

Fishing coyotes, now that’s interesting.

A large colony of big brown bats has been rescued in Saskatoon. Sounds like they need some support purchasing mealworms. If you're able to spare a few dollars, please send them their way - their links are in the piece below. #BatsNeedFriends

Want to get outside and harvest your own organic, free-range Christmas tree this year? You can get tree-cutting permits for Christmas trees from the Alberta government! https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/env/treecuttingpermits/permits/

This is a pic harvested from The Rough-legged Hawk Project (link below), showing three full years of tracking a single male Rough-legged Hawk. These incredible tracks show just how far these birds travel! First captured while on migration in Montana on Oct 10, 2017, as a 2-year-old, this hawk has provided 15,866 GPS locations to add to the world's largest dataset on this important species. It flew to the Canadian north, headed west to parts of the Northwest Territories, then... south to Colorado. Amazing. Prior to this research, their range was not fully appreciated. Photo / Research Credit: Neil Paprocki / The Rough-legged Hawk Project https://www.facebook.com/The-Rough-legged-Hawk-Project-107133624034541/

The giggling of the kids in the car really makes this! :)

Canadian firearms lawyer Ian Runkle's Nov 30 video regarding the judgement entered on the important R. v. Stark Section 74 decision. Like all of Runkle's videos, this is an excellent and clear window to an improved understanding of Canadian firearms law. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zPBqh71dmc&feature=share

This is most definitely worth a look.

Despite their critical role in the lifecycle of Alberta’s snakes, little is known about the conditions in snake dens or how many historical dens are still activ...e. Obtaining reliable information on the location and occupancy of snake dens in Alberta is an important first step to minimize snake mortality and destruction of these important habitats. Check out the final 3-year project report "Garter Snake Surveys at Historical Den Sites in Alberta" here -https://www.ab-conservation.com//garter-snake-thamnophis-/

Behold our brave staff smashing ice to maintain the aerators that keep trout alive all winter long! Just a friendly reminder - please do not approach the open water created by the aerators as they are surrounded by dangerous thin ice.

#FridayFunny Who doesn't love the Far Side? (it just never gets old). #bats #AlbertaBats #echolocation

Now that big game season is mostly over, don't forget to fill out your Harvest and Effort Report, even if you didn't harvest anything! Every completed survey wi...ll be entered into a draw for a 2021 Moose, Elk, Mule Deer or Antelope. https://www.albertarelm.com/cust.harvesteffortreporting.page

Interesting observation about the effect of background man-made noise & its absence on one species within the sub order Passeri, which contains all songbirds. Pollution extends beyond chemicals and affects the natural world around us.

Op-ed today by Stephen Legault in CBC News.

Water water everywhere, but is it safe to drink? When you’re out exploring on Crown land, it might be tempting to drink water from a clear lake or stream, but t...here may be microscopic parasites lurking in the water! You can get giardia (beaver fever) by drinking untreated water in the backcountry, even if the water looks clean and clear. Symptoms of diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, and nausea can develop approximately 7-10 days after drinking the contaminated water. If there’s a chance an animal could have pooped upstream, the water could be contaminated! To avoid illnesses such as giardia, only use boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and brushing your teeth. For more information visit: https://myhealth.alberta.ca//drinking-water-backcountry.as

A bit of a wet finish to our final antelope fencing project of the season but our dedicated volunteers braved the weather and got it done. With all the challeng...es that Covid-19 presented this year and county fire bans, getting the project done was a real challenge but our volunteers are the best and we managed to get a total of 26.5 miles done with smaller crews than normal. I can't say enough about their dedication to conservation. Thanks to Alberta Fish and Game Association Alberta Conservation Association Safari Club International - Northern Alberta Chapter FenceFast Ltd and the Minister's Special Licence Fund for the continued support! See more

Going hunting this year? Check out the 2020 Guide to Hunting Regulations at Albertaregulations.ca or download the AlbertaRelm App. The app allows hunters and anglers to carry electronic copies of both licences and regulations with them. https://www.albertarelm.com/cust.albertarelmapp.page

We have responded to a few calls this summer/fall wherein the person contacted us with an inreach, SPOT or other satelitte communications device. These devices... are a good way to let people know your gonna be late but your OK if there is no cell phone service, or that something has gone very wrong and you need help. Personal Locator beacons are another option also which will get the message out that you need help! Most of the technology has also improved wherein we can text back and forth in a remote location. A few hunters this fall that we have run into are carrying these devices which is great! Hope for the best but plan for the worst then youll never have to meet us!

Happy National Forest Week! Did you know the boreal forest is incredibly rich in biodiversity? It’s just one of the reasons we've been working to conserve Canada's boreal ecosystems for more than 20 years.

This Saturday is Provincial Hunting Day & Youth Hunting Initiative! Eligible youth can hunt upland game birds without a provincial Game Bird Licence. Details here - https://mywildalberta.ca/hunting/special-hunting-days.aspx

Autumn Equinox 2020 sunrise at Stonehenge Hope you all have a wonderful day #Equinox #AutumnEquinox2020 #Stonehenge

We are looking for dog handlers to help with our fall surveys! ACA conducts late summer upland game bird brood surveys to measure the reproductive success of gr...ey partridge, ring-necked pheasant, and grouse. Want to participate? contact [email protected]

Your Monday motivation from pioneering conservationist and SWCS founder Hugh Hammond Bennett

On September 13, Lethbridge fish and wildlife officers conducted a patrol to monitor fishery compliance at McGregor Lake and Travers Reservoir in the Vulcan Dis...trict. Both waterbodies have zero limits for walleye and northern pike. These limits, as well as a partial closure at Travers Reservoir, are currently in place to protect and conserve the vulnerable fish population. Officers encountered several anglers with violations, including sportfishing in closed waters and unlawful possession of fish. During one investigation, three individuals were found in possession of eight illegal walleye. Two of the individuals were charged with two counts each of unlawful possession of fish. Possession limits help ensure that only a sustainable amount of fish are taken from the water. This way, population numbers don’t drop too low and are able to recover if needed. The individuals were also charged with unlawful possession of live crayfish. According to Alberta’s Sportfishing Regulations, crayfish cannot be used as bait. It is unlawful to possess live crayfish, and the retention and transport of live crayfish is also illegal. All retained crayfish must be immediately killed. Our officers are out patrolling provincial waterbodies and conducting compliance checks at all times of the year. We would like to remind the public to adhere to all sportfishing regulations while out enjoying Alberta’s lakes, rivers and streams. You can find the 2020 sportfishing regulations, here: https://albertaregulations.ca/fishingregs-pdfs-2020.html Anyone who witnesses, or has information on, any illegal or suspicious fishing or hunting activity or serious abuse of public land is encouraged to call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or to submit a report online at https://www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx.

One question we often get is whether a hunter can use a special license for general season during archery only season. Bowhunters with appropriate general or sp...ecial licences may hunt during the general seasons, archery-only seasons and primitive weapon seasons, but only in the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) specified on the licence and only for the type and species of animal for which the licence was issued. A Bowhunting Permit is required in combination with a big game licence. This is covered on page 42 of the Alberta Hunting Regulations book, along with other regulations on bowhunting: http://albertaregulations.ca/2019-Alberta-Hunting-Regulatio

WOW we did a lot of stuff this past fiscal year! Here is a quick snapshot of our 2019/2020 Annual Report. Added 3 new conservation sites, totalling 599 ac (242 ...ha) with a land value of approximately $1,558,000. 4,387 adults and children were welcomed to Kids Can Catch events across Alberta, and 100 organizations, partners, and sponsors helped make it possible. 4,687 hens were released by 93 4-H members who participated in the Pheasant Raise and Release program. 100,000 acres of new ranching partnerships coming onstream. With partners, 61 ponds were stocked with three trout species, with 19 lakes aerated to improve water quality and ensure year-round survival of stocked fish 24 rivers/creeks, 25 lakes, and 11 ponds were surveyed, generating information on fish population status, distribution, fishing effort, spawning and rearing habitat, and water quality. Conservation, Community and Education Grants supported 82 conservation activities’ projects that contribute to wildlife, fish and habitat health with $969,635 of funding. Full report here - https://www.ab-conservation.com/publications/annual-report/

Interesting & informative video by Ian Runkle, Canadian firearms lawyer. If you have received a letter from the RCMP Firearms Center nullifying your firearms registration certificate for your firearms as a result of the May 1 Order in Council, this may be worth watching.

The comments on this thread are filled with all sorts of great advice - definitely worth going and taking a look.

Happy National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day!! Hunting, trapping and fishing are part of Canada’s national heritage and we hope our members and friends are enjoying one of these past times today!

ABA News: Alberta Mule Deer Management Plan Advisory Committee The ABA has been invited by Minister Nixon to participate on this mule deer committee. The ABA... representatives will be Brent Watson and Terry Brew. We had our initial meeting Sept 18 to go over the previous Mule deer Management Plan (from 1989), the processes, principles, outline etc we will use in going forward. The goal is to have something in rough from by December-ish and the final product in place to use for next hunting season. Contact Brent ([email protected] or 780-978-1195) or Terry ([email protected]) if you have any thoughts/comments on mule deer in your area. Any concerns or other observations you see in the field. We will take this feedback to the meetings that will be held over the next months. From the government press release August 12, 2020 -- One of the key issues this committee will examine is the sustainable use of the mule deer population. Some areas of Alberta are seeing a decline in mule deer populations, causing conservation concerns. Other areas have an overpopulation of mule deer, causing issues with human-wildlife conflicts and vehicle collisions. The spiritual and cultural importance of mule deer to Indigenous Peoples will also influence the committee’s work. The committee will include representatives from key stakeholder organizations, as well as Alberta Environment and Parks science experts and Fish and Wildlife staff. A parallel process will take place to engage with Indigenous communities. Government recognizes the importance of maintaining healthy mule deer populations for the continued practice of Indigenous harvesting rights and traditional uses. The committee will be in place until spring 2021.

Big congrats go out to SPFGA member Brad Fenson!

We are looking for a fulltime biologist for our Lethbridge office! This position involves working closely with landowners to conduct detailed range and riparian health assessments. Details here - https://www.ab-conservation.com//intermediate-biologist-l/

Why do you hunt? The answers you get to that question vary. In this story, I introduce you to a hunter who will address this question in her own words.

Congratulations to one of our members, Ruth Shewfelt!

Tomorrow is National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day! Hunters, anglers and trappers represent some of Canada's most dedicated conservationists, contributing billions of dollars to conservation projects across Canada through the purchase of tags and licences.

Our landowner programs benefit farmers in every part of the province. This particular wetland restoration project in the Vermilion area will help restore the la...nd's naturally hydrology and bring back many of the environmental benefits--a great tool to combat potential drought/flooding conditions in the future, provide additional grazing opportunities, and contribute to the climate change solution by storing carbon from the atmosphere. See more

The ACA Grants in Biodiversity Program is accepting applications for the 2021 competition. Application information and forms are found here - http://acabiodiversity.ca. The deadline for this year's competition is 4:00pm on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.

Located near Athabasca Chain Lake is becoming one of the top lakes when it comes to Tiger Trout. What is a Tiger Trout? Tiger Trout are a sterile hybrid species... that are created using Brown Trout eggs and Brook Trout milt. A very aggressive fish, which makes catching them a lot of fun, especially on the fly-rod. See more

Neonicotinoids are a group of compounds used as insecticides. Their use has been halted in the EU and Canada has been exploring cessation of their use, albeit more slowly. The SPFGA put forward a proposed resolution at the AFGA annual conference this past February advocating for a more rapid cessation, which passed its first reading. This infographic displays their effect on one group of keystone species. The larger truth though is that these compounds are also one of the causes of the steady decline in songbird populations over the past 5+ decades, and one of the pressures on bat populations.