Hunting Regulations Guide Available, Licence Sales Begin In August

EDMONTON - Alberta's 2004 sport hunting season is only weeks away and hunters around the world are gearing up for the excitement and adventure.

Hunting licence sales begin in August at private licence issuer locations throughout Alberta. Some bow hunting seasons begin in August and many other seasons start in September. About 100,000 hunters enjoy Alberta's diverse wildlife resource each year.

"Hunting in Alberta can be a remarkable experience, especially with our wide range of wildlife and exceptional scenery," said Mike Cardinal, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development. "I urge people to hunt responsibly and follow all regulations."

The free 2004 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations includes information about hunting seasons and wildlife identification and contains a colour map of all provincial wildlife management units.

Notably, the guide outlines important changes to regulations. For example, there are increased hunting opportunities for deer, moose and elk-to address large wildlife populations in some areas and reduce animal-vehicle collisions. Season start times and lengths have also changed in certain regions and Sunday hunting is being offered in several new areas.

Copies of the guide will be available at Fish and Wildlife offices throughout the province and at Alberta's 465 licence retailers.

An online version of the 2004 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations will be accessible through the Alberta Sustainable Resource Development website, http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/hunting. For information about locating private licence issuers in the province, visit: http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/licencesys/issuers.html.

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For further information, contact:

John Lear
Public Affairs Officer
Communications
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
(780) 427-8636

Bruce Treichel
Wildlife Allocation Specialist
Fish and Wildlife Division
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
(780) 422-9534