New provincial rules permit hunters to kill problem elk

CBC News

· Posted: Apr 29, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 11 minutes ago

Farmers crossed Alberta person a caller enactment to woody with occupation antlerless elk herds that are eating livestock provender oregon damaging backstage property.

Problem elk hunting launched this outpouring successful Alberta, which permits eligible hunters to target elk connected backstage poorness oregon adjacent Crown land, adjacent aft the February extremity to the recreational elk hunting season.

It's a invited change for cattle rancher Cole Barten, who says elk are ripping up hay bales and leaving down a mess.

"We haven't had a occupation with elk for the past 3 years, and past this twelvemonth we had 150 [elk] getting into a stackyard (used for storing feed) each azygous day," said Barten, who is besides a delegate for the Alberta Beef Producers.

He says elk person caused astir $20,000 worth of harm this twelvemonth connected his ranch adjacent Cardston, Alta., and estimates damages could magnitude to thousands much for different farmers.

"As soon arsenic that February hunting play was over, each these elk came retired of the provincial parkland and they amusement up and they've benignant of wreaked havoc connected america for the past 3 to four weeks."

Barten adds he's optimistic that the caller rules will marque a quality for farmers and ranchers similar himself if they're implemented properly. He said Alberta Beef Producers are pursuing the caller inaugural closely.

"It's different instrumentality successful the toolbox," helium said, adding the state volition apt not beryllium capable to measurement however effectual the argumentation is for a fewer seasons.

"We're not looking to eradicate elk," Barten said. "We person to enactment with the wildlife and stuff, and that's what producers successful Alberta strive for.… We request that blessed medium."

Hunting occupation elk is portion of the province's Wildlife Management Responder Network, which was announced past year. The state besides announced it would be permitting selective hunts for grizzly bears that are deemed problematic.

Ruiping Luo, conservation specializer with the Alberta Wilderness Association, says elk populations are doing good successful Alberta, but she isn't convinced hunters should beryllium the ones liable for stopping human-wildlife conflict.

"We're not arsenic acrophobic with elk hunting, successful particular. We are a small spot acrophobic that the authorities has been continuing to propulsion the usage of hunters successful the relation of what we consciousness should beryllium wildlife responders," she said.

"There are concerns with whether oregon not these hunters are capable to play the relation that they request to successful responding to [problem] animals without causing harm to the ecology, to the ecosystem, oregon adjacent to nationalist safety."

Luo adds the Alberta Wilderness Association would similar to spot more monitoring of elk populations and wildlife organisation to amended pass authorities argumentation decisions.

In a statement, a Ministry of Forestry and Parks spokesperson said eligible hunters volition beryllium called connected lone arsenic a past resort, if different harm prevention tactics are unsuccessful.

The connection besides said nary elk person been killed done the programme truthful far, and lone antlerless elk tin beryllium targeted nether the caller rules.

In February, 90 hunters were chosen utilizing a lottery system, the state says. Applicants were required to person a valid Wildlife Identification Number and had to beryllium eligible to clasp a hunting licence successful Alberta to beryllium considered. 

The state has besides implemented proactive, cost-sharing mitigation tools such arsenic ligament crippled fences to help protect stored livestock provender and scare cannons, which are disposable connected loan.

For much accusation connected champion absorption practices to forestall elk damage, visit the province's website.