Hunting in Strathcona County
Strathcona County's 2011 hunting season - September 1 to December 7
Hunting - a part of wildlife management
Wildlife is abundant in the rural areas of Strathcona County. An overabundance of animals may cause problems within urban and farming communities. Wildlife management is necessary for maintaining healthy and diverse wildlife populations.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Edmonton District, is responsible for wildlife management and enforcement of Alberta's Wildlife Act.
The rights of landowners
A large portion of the privately owned land in the County falls into the category of occupied land, as defined under the Wildlife Act. The following regulations apply to hunting on occupied land.
- A hunter needs permission from the landowner or occupant to hunt on a given property. It is entirely the decision of the landowner or occupant whether to allow hunting on the property.
- The landowner is responsible to ensure that the hunter understands any conditions on which hunting is being permitted. For example, hunting may be allowed for one day, several days or longer. The landowner may specify the number of hunters allowed, or particular areas they should avoid.
Where hunting is and is not permitted
The discharge of firearms in Strathcona County is controlled by the County's Firearms Control Bylaw 11-2007 and is enforced by the RCMP. Firearms may not be used for hunting in Sherwood Park or in rural hamlets.
The use of firearms is restricted within the Special Control Area. In this area, shotguns and muzzle loading rifles, bows and arrows, and cross-bows may be used to hunt white-tailed deer during this year's Strathcona White-tailed Deer Hunt from October 25 to December 7, Monday to Friday only. Recipients of the antlerless moose special licence for Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 248 must adhere to the regulations associated with the Strathcona White-tailed Deer Hunt when hunting in Strathcona County.
Outside of the Special Control Area, Sherwood Park and rural hamlets, Strathcona County does not have bylaws restricting the use of firearms. Provincial and federal regulations do apply in these areas.
The County is divided into three different Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). Different regulations apply to each. Check regulation details. Hunting game birds with a shotgun on road allowances is not permitted in the County. Strathcona County is a Specialized Municipality and, because of this designation, all road allowances are considered County property. There is no hunting allowed on any County property.
Further information
The 2011 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations is now available. For locations of hunting licence issuers:
- check the Government of Alberta website www.albertaregulations.ca
- call 1-877-944-0313
Alberta Fish and Wildlife Edmonton District Office:
- 780-427-3574
Strathcona County Transportation and Agriculture Services:
- 780-417-7100
- Firearms Control Bylaw 11-2007
24-hour numbers
- RCMP Sherwood Park 780-467-7741
- Report-a-Poacher 1-800-642-3800
Last updated: Thursday, August 18, 2011
Page ID: 3521