Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement

Remember to handle fish with care when ice fishing and #KeepFishWet as much as possible. Fish handling during the winter can be tricky, but exposing fish to fr...eezing air temperatures, the ice, or dry surfaces like your hands can harm the fish (particularly the eyes or gills). If you don't plan on keeping your catch, try removing the hook while the fish is still in the water. Drilling a larger hole, or two or three connected holes can help with this! If you are planning to keep your catch, measure it as quickly as possible to determine if it is legal to keep. Proper fish handling will increase the fish's chances of surviving, growing and reproducing! Learn more here: https://mywildalberta.ca/fishing/ice-fishing.aspx

This Sunday, our officers will be #freezinforareason as they kick off the 2021 virtual Polar Plunge in #yeg. From January 31 to March 6, fish and wildlife enforcement officers from across the province will join hundreds of others to take the plunge in support of Special Olympics Alberta. Throughout the challenge, we’ll be sharing photos and videos of the new and creative ways our officers are participating in the virtual event. For more information about the event, visit: https://www.specialolympics.ca/albertapolarplunge

Red Deer fish and wildlife officers are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible for shooting two moose and an elk out of season on private property near Rimbey, Alberta. On January 22, fish and wildlife officers received a report of a shooting of two moose, a cow and calf, and an elk out of season in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 332, west of the town of Rimbey. The cow and calf moose were shot on private property, located on the southsi...de of Highway 53 near Range Road 45, and quartered where they were shot. The parts were dragged and carried to a vehicle that was parked on a lease road that ran through the property. The cow elk was shot two miles west of this location along HWY 53. Again, the elk was quartered and the parts were dragged and carried back to the vehicle. It is believed that the animals were shot between 5pm on January 21 and 9am on January 22. Officers noted that a large amount of the meat, approximately 100lbs, on the cow and calf moose had been left to waste. All of the animals were shot on private land; no permission was granted. Both moose and elk are on a draw system and the seasons ended on November 30 (for moose) and December 20, 2020 (for elk). We are asking anyone in the area with information relating to this poaching incident to contact the Report a Poacher number at 1-800-642-3800 or submit a report online at https://www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. Callers can choose to remain anonymous and can be eligible for an award.

Roads attract wildlife because they give animals a travel corridor, easy access to food, and a source of salt in the winter. Many species are active at dawn and dusk when visibility is poor and traffic volume is high. - Scan the roadway and ditches ahead for animals. - Slow down in a curve, when reaching the crest of a hill or in wildlife-populated areas - Watch for the shining eyes or silhouette of an animal at night and use high beams - Improve visibility by keeping your wi...ndshield and headlights clean - Slow down if an animal is on or near the road and be prepared to stop. Their behaviours are unpredictable. - Look for more than one animal - some travel in groups - Brake firmly if an animal is in your path, and don't swerve to avoid it - Don't throw food or food wrappers out your vehicle as this attracts animals - Watch for wildlife warning signs and slow down in areas where animal crossing signs are posted - Report all collisions. See more

We often get reports of people posting wildlife items for sale online. The selling, buying, bartering, soliciting or trading in wildlife or wildlife parts, or offering to do so, is regulated under the Wildlife Act and Regulations. Many transactions are strictly prohibited, while others are regulated. If you are planning to sell wildlife items, we recommend contacting your local fish and wildlife office to discuss the steps you need to take in order to make the sale legal. Even if a person finds dead wildlife that they would like to keep or sell, in most cases, it is unlawful to possess such wildlife or parts of wildlife without first obtaining a permit. In this video, Sgt. Scott Kallweit talks about common misconceptions when selling wildlife items and what you need to know if you are planning to do so.

High Prairie fish and wildlife officers are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individual(s) responsible for shooting two moose on gravel road north of Sunset House, Alberta in the early morning on January 4. Fish and wildlife officers received a report of two moose that were located tethered together on the shoulder of a gravel road north six miles north of Sunset House, Alberta (see photo for the exact location of the incident). Officers learned that the moo...se were unlawfully shot at around 4:30AM on private property, and later left to waste on the side of Township Road 724 and Range Road 192. At the time of the offence, the suspects fled the scene dragging the two moose behind a silver Ford F150. The moose were dragged four miles down the gravel road before unhooking from the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle was last observed travelling east bound on Highway 2 past Tolko Industries through the community of High Prairie between 5-6:00am on January 4th, 2021. Anyone who might have observed a silver Ford F150 in the area or have any information about this incident are asked to contact the 24-hour Report A Poacher line toll free at 1-800-642-3800 or submit a report online at https://www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. Callers can choose to remain anonymous and can be eligible for an award.

Fish and wildlife officers paid their respects to Calgary Police Service Sgt. Andrew Harnett, killed in the line of duty last week, by participating and lining the route of a ceremonial police escort taking his body to the funeral home. Our members joined other @Alberta Sheriffs and police and peace officers from various agencies, first responders, and members of the public in paying tribute to Sgt. Harnett. Our thoughts continue to be with Sgt. Harnett’s family, friends and colleagues. We mourn with them.

Our deepest condolences to the friends, family and Calgary Police Service colleagues of Sgt. Andrew Harnett, who died in the line of duty last night. Our officers will be wearing the Peace Officer Memorial service ribbon to show our support and solidarity to his family, friends, and our CPS colleagues during this tragic time.

On November 5, 2018, fish and wildlife officers received a report from a concerned citizen regarding the illegal killing of a grizzly bear by two individuals. The concerned citizen was also assaulted by the two individuals for gathering evidence against them. The incident took place at a random hunting camp location in the Indian Graves Area along Range Road 532, west of Highway 22. Officers determined that just past midnight on November 3, a grizzly bear approached the susp...Continue reading

Happy New Year from the entire crew at Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement! We hope your 2021 is filled with many opportunities to appreciate Alberta's great resources and enjoy the outdoors. #HappyNewYear

Merry Christmas from all of us at Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement! We hope you have a safe and warm holiday season. #HappyHolidays

Our officers are dedicated to conserve and protect our fish and wildlife resources. You can help by reporting suspicious or illegal hunting or fishing activing through the Report A Poacher line. Report A Poacher can be reached all day, everyday at 1-800-642-3800 or online at https://www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. All calls are kept strictly confidential and you can remain anonymous.... If you see something that may be poaching, record as much information as possible: - Date and time - Location - Vehicle description and licence number - Description of who was involved in the crime - Details of the violation and any other details you can think of, no matter how insignificant they might seem The information you provide could lead to a conviction (and possibly a reward for your help). Poaching covers a wide range of violations including fishing or hunting out of season, night hunting, hunting from the road, exceeding limits, hunting while intoxicated and illegal sales of wildlife or fish. It can also be used for reporting major violations to land and habitat such destruction of stream beds and habitat.

Our deepest condolences to the family, friends and Ontario Provincial Police colleagues of Const. Marc Hovingh. Our thoughts are with you during this tragic time. Today, our officers will be wearing the Peace Officer Memorial service ribbon to show our support and solidarity to his family, friends, and colleagues, as well all of our brothers and sisters in law enforcement.

If you're planning on entering leased land for hunting, it's important to make sure you plan ahead and contact the leaseholder prior to entering the grazing lease. In the event of a dispute, the hunter will be required to prove proper contact was made. The Recreational Access Regulation aims to provide recreational opportunities when the activity does not impact the land or the leaseholder’s use of the land. The leaseholder could deny recreational activities for various re...asons, such as if there are livestock present in the field or an adjacent pasture, or a crop has not yet been harvested or there could be a fire ban in effect. If the leaseholder denies access outside the regulation, contact your local rangeland agrologist and so they can help facilitate a discussion to help both parties come to an agreement. In this video, Sgt. Marc Foisy with the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, public land specialist Mark Lyseng and agrologist Christine Buchanan talk about accessing agricultural lease land. More info can also be found here: https://www.alberta.ca/agricultural-public-land-use.aspx

Claresholm fish and wildlife officers are seeking information regarding an antlered mule deer that was shot and left on East Sharples Road in the Porcupine Hills Public Land Use Zone. On November 5, 2020, officers received a report from a witness who was in the area around 5:50 pm when they heard a rifle shot nearby. Concerned because legal shooting ended at 5:30 pm that day, the witness drove toward the sound of the gunshot and saw a newer, dark-coloured SUV (believed to be... a Tahoe or Yukon) parked on the road. The witness saw two people standing outside the SUV, which had a burnt-out tail light on the driver’s side, before getting into it and fleeing the scene. The witness drove to the spot where the SUV was parked and saw a recently-killed antlered mule deer lying in the ditch. Anyone with information that may help solve this case is asked to call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or send information through the Report A Poacher web page at https://www.alberta.ca/report-a-poacher.aspx Anyone reporting information by phone or through the web can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Wetaskiwin fish and wildlife officers are seeking information regarding a portion of an elk carcass that was discarded in a ditch and wasted. On October 27, officers received a report of a carcass that was located on Township Road 502, east of Range Road 215 in the Ministik Game Bird Sanctuary. Two whole hind quarters and a portion of the front half of the elk was located. It is believed that the elk was harvested this year and disposed of within 24 hours of being reported. I...t is unlawful for a person who has killed or is in possession of a game bird or big game animal, other than a mountain lion or bear, to abandon, destroy or allow any of its flesh to become unfit for human consumption. Anyone with information that may help solve this case is asked to call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or send information through the Report A Poacher web page at https://www.alberta.ca/report-a-poacher.aspx Anyone reporting information by phone or through the web can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Today, we pause and acknowledge the brave men and women who served and continue to serve our country. We thank you for your courage and sacrifice. #LestWeForget #CanadaRemembers

Fish and wildlife officers would like to remind hunters of the regulatory requirements around retaining the evidence of sex, species and class to the animals they harvest. Officers frequently conduct inspections of game birds and big game while in the field and at licenced premises, like taxidermists and meat processors, to ensure compliance with the regulations. One of the more common issues they encounter is when hunters remove the evidence of sex and/or species from their ...big game harvest before it has been delivered for processing. Failing to retain the evidence of sex and species on the carcass of any wildlife could result in enforcement actions. For moose, elk, deer, antelope, bison and non-trophy sheep, the evidence of sex, species and class must remain attached to the carcass (cannot be surgically or otherwise removed) until: the carcass is delivered to premises that has a Food Establishment Permit issued under the Public Health Act or Licence for the Operation of an Abattoir issued under the Meat Inspection Act, or The carcass is cut up and packaged for consumption at: - the usual residence of the person who killed the animal, or - the usual residence (a residence that is neither a business premises nor attached to such a premises) of a resident of Alberta and that resident is in attendance. More information about these regulations can be found on page 41 of the Alberta Hunting Regulations book: https://albertaregulations.ca/2020-Alberta-Hunting-Regulati

If you plan to go hunting, plan your schedule ahead of time. It is illegal to hunt any wildlife or discharge a firearm between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise. Check out the sunrise/sunset table on page 48 of the Alberta Hunting Regulations book: http://www.albertaregulations.ca/2020-Alberta-Hunting-Regul

We’d like to remind game bird hunters that it is unlawful to possess a game bird which does not bear evidence of sex and species, before it has been transported to the usual residence of the person who killed it or is prepared for immediate cooking. Evidence of sex and species consists of one completely feathered wing attached to the carcass of the game bird, except for Merriam’s turkey for which evidence of sex and species consists of the complete head and beard attached to the carcass. Game bird hunters who transport birds from their residence to a meat processor must adhere to these requirements. More information about game bird regulations can be found on page 29 of the Alberta Hunting Regulations book: https://albertaregulations.ca/2020-Alberta-Hunting-Regulati

When hunting in bear country, it’s important to remove the carcass as quickly as possible. If you have to return to the carcass later, here are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of a bear encounter: - Separate the carcass from the gut pile. If you can, move the carcass at least 200 metres from the gut pile before you leave. Bears will often be attracted to the gut pile first. - Hang the carcass. The carcass should be suspended at least 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) off th...e ground, and 1.5 metres (5 feet) from nearby trees in an area easily seen from a distance. - When returning to the kill site, use caution. Approach the site from upwind, use binoculars to see if the site is clear and make as much noise as possible. - If you see a bear at your kill site or if the carcass has been moved or buried, do not approach. Leave the site immediately and advise Fish and Wildlife by calling 310-0000. - Do not drag the carcass back to camp. Doing so will leave a scent trail that a bear can follow directly to your campsite. If a bear is a public safety concern, call the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.