Hunts in Alberta
Hunt with our Friends - Hunts in Alberta
Are you looking for species not available with our BC guided hunts? Hunt with our friends in Alberta.
Hunts in Alberta offer some of the finest hunting opportunities in North America, boasting a diverse range of game species and breathtaking landscapes. The province’s commitment to wildlife management and conservation ensures sustainable populations for both resident and non-resident hunters.
Big game hunting in Alberta is particularly renowned, with nine species available including Shiras moose, elk, white-tailed deer and bighorn sheep. The province’s vast wilderness areas, from the Rocky Mountains to the boreal forests, provide ideal habitats for these sought-after animals.
Waterfowl and upland game bird hunting are also popular pursuits. The Provincial Pheasant Release Program enhances opportunities for pheasant hunters in southern Alberta.
All hunters need a Wildlife Identification Number (WIN) and appropriate licenses before participating in any hunt. The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations outlines specific seasons, bag limits, and restrictions for each Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). It’s crucial for hunters to familiarize themselves with these regulations to ensure ethical and legal hunting practices.
Conservation efforts are supported by hunting activities, with license fees contributing to wildlife management programs. Hunters also play a vital role in wildlife surveys and disease monitoring, particularly for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer populations.
Alberta’s hunting tradition continues to thrive, offering unforgettable experiences for those seeking to connect with nature and participate in sustainable wildlife management.
To connect with us about our hunts in Alberta, design your custom hunt and let us know your interest
Pronghorn Hunt
The Pronghorn, often mistakenly called antelope, offers unique prairie hunts in Alberta.
Specs: Distinctive tan and white colouration with black markings. Both sexes have horns, with males’ being larger.
Size: Adults weigh 90-140 lbs. Height at shoulder is 32-41 in.
Season: Typically a short season in September or October.
Locations: Found in the southern prairies and grasslands of Alberta.
About the hunt: Challenging due to the pronghorn’s exceptional eyesight and speed. Often involves long-range shooting in open terrain.
Behaviours: Highly social, living in herds. Known for their incredible speed, reaching up to 55 mph.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Primarily browse on forbs and shrubs, with some grazing. May undertake seasonal migrations in some areas.
Management: Carefully managed through limited draw hunts to maintain sustainable populations in their restricted range within Alberta.
Shiras Moose Hunt
The Shiras Moose, also known as Wyoming Moose, is the smallest North American moose subspecies for hunts in Alberta.
Specs: Smaller than Canada Moose, with distinctive pale brown to dark brown coat and palmated antlers in males.
Size: Bulls weigh 650-850 lbs, standing 4 1/2 – 6 ft at the shoulder. Cows are smaller, weighing 500-700 lbs.
Season: Typically mid-September to late November, varying by WMU.
Locations: Found primarily in southwestern Alberta, including the Rocky Mountain foothills and adjacent prairies.
About the hunt: Challenging due to the animal’s keen senses and the rugged terrain they inhabit.
Behaviours: Generally solitary, but may form small groups in winter. Most active during early morning and late evening.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Feed on aquatic plants, shrubs, and tree bark. Seasonal movements between higher elevations in summer and lower valleys in winter.
Management: Carefully monitored and managed through limited draw hunts to ensure sustainable populations in their restricted range within Alberta.
Elk Hunt
Elk, or wapiti, are another highly sought-after big game species for hunts in Alberta, known for their impressive antlers and challenging hunts.
Specs: Elk are large deer with males averaging 750 lbs and females averaging 550 lbs. They stand approximately 5 ft at the shoulder and can be 9 ft long from nose to tail.
Size: Bulls typically weigh 400-1,000 lbs, while cows weigh 350-650 lbs. Their height at the shoulder is about 5 ft, with a length of 9 ft from nose to tail.
Season: The main elk hunting season runs from late August to mid-October, coinciding with the rut.
Locations: Elk are found in the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, boreal forest, and parkland regions of Alberta.
About the hunt: Hunting elk is physically demanding, often involving tracking and calling techniques in rugged terrain. Hunters may need to cover significant distances on foot during hunts.
Behaviours: Elk are social animals that form herds. They are primarily nocturnal, feeding at night and resting during the day. During the rut, bulls engage in vocalizations and displays to attract cows.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Elk primarily graze on grasses and shrubs. Their diet varies seasonally, with a preference for grasses in summer and woody plants in winter.
Management: Elk populations in Alberta are managed through regulated hunting to ensure sustainability. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and monitoring predator-prey dynamics.
Whitetail Deer Hunt
Whitetail deer are among the most popular game animals for hunts in Alberta, offering both abundant opportunities and challenging hunts.
Specs: Medium-sized deer with distinctive white tails that they raise as a warning flag when alarmed.
Size: Bucks average 150-300 lb, while does average 90-200 lb. Their average length is about 71 inches, with a shoulder height of about 39 inches.
Season: The main rifle season typically runs from October 25 to November 30, with additional antlerless hunts in December.
Locations: Whitetails are found throughout Alberta’s prairie, parkland, and southern boreal zones, and are expanding into foothills and mountains.
About the hunt: Hunting methods include spot and stalk, as well as stand hunting. Whitetails present a challenge due to their keen senses and adaptability to varied terrains.
Behaviours: Whitetails are crepuscular, being most active at dawn and dusk. They are known for their cautious and elusive nature.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Their diet includes grasses, leaves, and fruits, with seasonal changes leading to a reliance on twigs and buds in winter.
Management: Population management includes regulated hunting and monitoring for diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunt
The Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep is one of the most prestigious and challenging big game hunts in Alberta.
Specs: Massive, curved horns in rams, tan to greyish-brown coat with white rump patch.
Size: Rams weigh 250-400 lbs, ewes 120-200 lbs. Height at shoulder is 35-41 in.
Season: Typically early September to late October, often through a highly competitive draw system.
Locations: Found in the Rocky Mountains and foothills of western Alberta.
About the hunt: Extremely challenging, requiring excellent physical condition to navigate steep, rocky terrain.
Behaviours: Highly social, living in herds. Rams engage in spectacular head-butting contests during the rut.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Graze on grasses and sedges in summer, browse on shrubs in winter. Seasonal movements between alpine meadows in summer and lower elevations in winter.
Management: Carefully managed through limited draw hunts and trophy regulations to maintain healthy populations and genetic diversity.
Canada Goose Hunt
Canada Goose hunting is a popular waterfowl pursuit for hunts in Alberta, offering exciting opportunities for hunts in Alberta.
Specs: Canada Geese have a distinctive black head and neck with a white chinstrap. They are large waterfowl with a robust body and long neck.
Size: Males typically weigh between 6 and 26 lbs and measure 30 to 43 inches in length.
Season: The main hunting season runs from September 1 to December 16, with a spring season from March 15 to June 15.
Locations: Canada Geese are commonly found in the Peace Country and near water bodies throughout Alberta.
About the hunt: Hunting strategies include scouting, calling, and using decoys. Hunters often set up in harvested fields or near water sources.
Behaviours: Canada Geese are known for their migratory behavior, often flying in V formations. They graze on land and are social birds that often gather in large flocks.
Diet & Seasonal Range: They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, grains, and aquatic plants. Their diet varies seasonally, with a focus on green vegetation in spring and summer and grains in fall and winter.
Management: Population management includes regulated hunting seasons and conservation efforts due to their overabundance in certain areas.
Pheasant Hunt
Pheasant hunts in Alberta provide an exciting upland game bird experience, popular among both local and visiting hunters.
Specs: Pheasants are characterized by their long tails and colourful plumage, with males being more vibrant than females. They are medium-sized birds with a distinctive appearance.
Size: Pheasants have a body length of 20 to 36 inches and a wingspan of 22 to 34 inches. They typically weigh between 2 to 3 pounds.
Season: The main pheasant hunting season usually runs from mid-October to mid-November.Locations: Pheasants are found in southern Alberta, including grasslands, river valleys, and agricultural areas.
About the hunt: Pheasant hunting typically involves walking through fields and using dogs to flush the birds. Hunters often face challenges due to the birds’ ability to remain hidden in tall grass and their quick flight when startled.
Behaviours: Pheasants are known for their ground-dwelling habits, roosting in tall vegetation at night, and feeding on grains and insects. They exhibit a strutting gait and are swift runners.
Diet & Seasonal Range: Pheasants are omnivorous, feeding on grains, seeds, insects, and leaves. Their diet varies seasonally, with grains being more prominent in the fall.
Management: The population of pheasants in Alberta is managed through the Provincial Pheasant Release Program by the Alberta Conservation Association, which releases hatchery-raised pheasants to enhance hunting opportunities.
To connect with us about hunts in Alberta, submit our contact form and let us know your interest
5% of every hunt goes towards
conservation initiatives in the Chilcotin Ark
