News Release: Alberta relaxes use of crop baits, allows private corporations to act as wildlife officials, among other changes

September 28, 2026

Through an Order in Council filed on Sept. 17, Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks is making several changes to the Alberta Wildlife Regulation and Wildlife Act.

These changes include excluding from the definition of “bait” any crops that are specifically grown with the intent to use them as bait, allowing private corporations to do the work of wildlife officials, reducing the permissions to access private land, modifying exportation rules, and further extending black bear hunting seasons.

There are some changes that AWA accepts and can support. For instance, we agree with the requirement to report wolverines killed without exceptions, considering wolverine are highly endangered, although we continue to urge that science-based limits on wolverine trapping be set. We are also glad to see restrictions for black bear hunting along major highways, as this endangers human safety, although we would like to see this expanded to all busy roads, not just roads close to and along recreational sites.

However, we are deeply concerned with many of the changes, as they do not appear to be supported by strong scientific evidence or justification, and we have written to the Minister asking for an explanation of these changes.

Exempting crops attractants from the definition of bait

Crops grown specifically “with the intention of attracting and hunting big game or game birds” will not be considered bait, according to changes listed in the Order in Council. Under the current wildlife regulations, baiting must follow rules, including where it is allowed and what is considered proper signage for bait stations.

Baiting affects the behaviour of animals and can have impacts on animal populations and safety. Baiting can habituate animals to easy food sources, and often attracts high animal densities, encouraging the spread of disease. Bait stations can also pose risks for human safety, particularly around areas where animals gather in large groups. Regulations reduce the chances for baiting to cause harm. This change would allow crop attractants to be used without limitation and without warning, risking harm to both the animal population and to humans.

Allowing independent agencies to perform the role of wildlife officials

Services currently provided by wildlife officials or guardians could soon be provided by private corporations. These services would include receiving reports of animals killed by hunters and trappers and receiving animal parts for analysis.

Unlike with wildlife officials, these corporations have little incentive to work for Albertans and will instead be accountable to their clients or stakeholders. Although Alberta does not have the best record for transparency, this change is expected to further reduce the amount of information publicly available to Albertans. It could also fracture the current service, making overharvest more likely as tracking for quotas or licenses is reported to different departments or organizations, which will slow the rate of reporting and closing of management areas where quotas have been met.

Explicit permissions to access private lands

Guide outfitters currently must ask for permission to guide on private land. However, soon outfitters will only need permission to access private land. This means guides will no longer need to disclose that they are a commercial operation, or that they are leading clients on a hunt.

This encourages guides to obscure their intent, as they may not receive permission to access private land if they are leading a hunt. It also poses a safety risk if landowners are unaware of the activities taking place. Hunting on private property without permission was a common complaint reported by Fish and Wildlife, and this change could worsen the lack of transparency by guides looking to lead hunts on private land.

Exemptions for exportation

Exportation of Alberta’s wildlife is not allowed without the appropriate permits, with an exception being the export of coyotes. Wolves are now being added to the list of animals that can be exported without a permit, as well as their meat packaged for consumption.

The restrictions on exportation helped prevent the extensive commercialization of Alberta’s wildlife. Relaxing the process potentially opens wildlife to greater exploitation, particularly as meat or fur may be sold in other countries, and it reduces barriers to overexploitation from non-residents who will benefit from a relaxing of restrictions otherwise intended to keep wildlife within the province and the country.

Expansion of black bear season

After black bear hunting seasons were already expanded in 2025, another expansion has occurred, increasing the season in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 400, 404, 406, and 408. The expansion extends the general hunting season by 16 days, from May 15 to May 31, pushing the season later in the year.

This increases the amount of time that black bears will experience stress from hunting pressure, which has been shown to affect bear behaviour. It also reduces the time bears have to forage without pressure ahead of hibernation; bears unable to gain enough weight during the fall will not survive the winter, and those that survive may still have reduced reproductive capacity if they are less healthy, affecting the ability of populations to recover or grow.

Other changes

Societies are no longer considered corporations and cannot hold a fur management license, unless these societies already held a license before changes went into effect.
Pre-charged rifles and bows can now be used for hunting.
Reports for wolverine kills must be submitted, even in northern fur management areas and by previously exempt people.
Restrictions have been added that prevent the hunting of black bears along the highway.
A hunting season has been established in the area designated for the Nakiska All-Season Resort.
Many licensing fees have increased.