Hunting reciprocity between Provinces

[Hilgy]

Was listening to a podcast and they were talking about hunting and trapping reciprocity between some States.

Example: If you live in a State that doesn't allow non resident hunters to hunt Mule Deer then you are not welcome to come to our State to hunt MD. If your State does allow non resident MD hunting then come on in.

It got me thinking, would a system like this work well between Provinces?

Honestly I would love to see a system in Alberta that prioritizes resident hunters similar to the fishing rules in Alaska for residents and non residents.

Thoughts?

Hilgy

[catnthehat]

I woukd much rather see our Provinces get it together to have a central database for license holders so we can end the resident tag holders in several different Provinces at the same time( except for current serving CAF members ), but I doubt if that will never happen
Cat

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I woukd much rather see our Provinces get it together to have a central database for license holders so we can end the resident tag holders in several different Provinces at the same time( except for current serving CAF members ), but I doubt if that will never happen
Cat

Exactly, there are a lot of those scumbags buying resident tags in their home province, then working in Alberta, and providing an Alberta address, to buy resident tags here.

[Hilgy]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I woukd much rather see our Provinces get it together to have a central database for license holders so we can end the resident tag holders in several different Provinces at the same time( except for current serving CAF members ), but I doubt if that will never happen
Cat

That’s a very good point Cat. With all the technology today I can’t imagine it would be that difficult either.

[Pointer man]

I wish they would open hunting to everyone across the country. The majority of the States run this way, You don't need a guide and your welcome to draw for the majority of species in most States. General tags can be bought buy resident and non-resident alike and have 2 classifications for the draws. Have more draw tags issued to Residents and make Non-residents a once in a life time draw for covenant tags. I truly doubt you would see an increase in hunters crossing the boarders. Hell we have retired upland hunters in Alberta crying about the free release sites that wont drive 4-5hrs and shoot wild birds. When it comes to travelling to hunt, the vast majority of people talk the talk and don't walk the walk. But it sure would be nice to hunt the Yukon like the US non-residents can hunt Alaska or do a DIY "Once in a life time hunt" for Caribou in NFLD.

As far as residency goes, that should be proven through both health cards and tax returns IMO. It would clear up all the BS that's happening in our system really quick.

[MDR]

Originally Posted by Pointer man

I wish they would open hunting to everyone across the country. The majority of the States run this way, You don't need a guide and your welcome to draw for the majority of species in most States. General tags can be bought buy resident and non-resident alike and have 2 classifications for the draws. Have more draw tags issued to Residents and make Non-residents a once in a life time draw for covenant tags. I truly doubt you would see an increase in hunters crossing the boarders. Hell we have retired upland hunters in Alberta crying about the free release sites that wont drive 4-5hrs and shoot wild birds. When it comes to travelling to hunt, the vast majority of people talk the talk and don't walk the walk. But it sure would be nice to hunt the Yukon like the US non-residents can hunt Alaska or do a DIY "Once in a life time hunt" for Caribou in NFLD.

As far as residency goes, that should be proven through both health cards and tax returns IMO. It would clear up all the BS that's happening in our system really quick.

We have a special guide license (moose, caribou, bison) up here that makes it possible for residents to guide non-residents. I've pulled it before for friends. I am glad that it is what is available as I'm sure with open borders, we'd be overrun by folks from elsewhere.

[3blade]

I don’t think any of our underfunded provincial f&w agencies need to keep up with the regulations everywhere else when they can’t even handle their current mandate.

Like almost everyone else, I would like to see NRs and outfitters out of the draw species. Let em hunt whitetails and black bears like Saskatchewan does.

But honestly when you can’t get permission for big game on most private land, card holders can kill everything all the time on crown, and predators are prioritized over all else…. hunting is pretty much doomed anyway. We’re just talking about rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 3blade

I don’t think any of our underfunded provincial f&w agencies need to keep up with the regulations everywhere else when they can’t even handle their current mandate.

Like almost everyone else, I would like to see NRs and outfitters out of the draw species. Let em hunt whitetails and black bears like Saskatchewan does.

But honestly when you can’t get permission for big game on most private land, card holders can kill everything all the time on crown, and predators are prioritized over all else…. hunting is pretty much doomed anyway. We’re just talking about rearranging deck chairs on the titanic.

F&W doesn't need to keep up with the regs in every province, they just need to see which province people actually live in. If they buy resident tags in NFLD, or N.S. or N.B. every year, and they declare their residence in one of those provinces, when they file taxes, then their primary residence isn't in Alberta, which is what they are claiming, when they purchase Alberta resident tags.

[3blade]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

F&W doesn't need to keep up with the regs in every province, they just need to see which province people actually live in. If they buy resident tags in NFLD, or N.S. or N.B. every year, and they declare their residence in one of those provinces, when they file taxes, then their primary residence isn't in Alberta, which is what they are claiming, when they purchase Alberta resident tags.

Absolutely agree, that needs to be addressed. I want to go farther. History of false declarations - look back 20 years or however far we can look with the current systems - LIFETIME ban from working or hunting or fishing in Alberta.

No history of paying taxes here - no tags. Show up and work for it.

Alberta has been putting up with eastern thieves for far too long.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 3blade

Absolutely agree, that needs to be addressed. I want to go farther. History of false declarations - look back 20 years or however far we can look with the current systems - LIFETIME ban from working or hunting or fishing in Alberta.

No history of paying taxes here - no tags. Show up and work for it.

Alberta has been putting up with eastern thieves for far too long.

If these people were fined for every license they illegally purchased, going back 10-20 years, a $10-$20k penalty, would be a good deterrent, and the cash would pay for the work to catch them. In today's computer age, It should be simple to put in a person's name to see their home address, and where they filed taxes.

[Pointer man]

Originally Posted by MDR

We have a special guide license (moose, caribou, bison) up here that makes it possible for residents to guide non-residents. I've pulled it before for friends. I am glad that it is what is available as I'm sure with open borders, we'd be overrun by folks from elsewhere.

I'm not a huge fan of the current Yukon system. My host was drawn last year and due to his age, I will probably never be able to hunt the Yukon again. It's very unfortunate that you need to have a local contact to be able to experience that part of the country. What they are charging for guided moose hunts up there has truly made it unattainable for the vast majority of people. As I said earlier, I truly doubt you would see an increase in hunting pressure. The first year or 2 might draw a bit of a crowd. But once they realized that a week off while eating up 2 days in travel, does not give you the time to figure out an area and get it done. Not to mention the gear required to have an enjoyable time. It's defiantly not hunting Whitetails on your cousins home quarter lol. As I said the majority of Hunters talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.

[Pathfinder76]

If you want to hunt the Yukon, walk the walk and move there. Just because you want to hunt there doesn’t mean we should all have to endure the rest of the country hunting here b

[Pheasantchaser]

100% in favor of reciprocity. In my simple mind, it seems fair.

[elkhunter11]

In 1970 or 1971, Saskatchewan sold unlimited whitetail tags to whomever wanted to buy them. I doubt that the government had any idea how many people would come, but there were vehicles from several Provinces, and many states all over the country. It was great for hotels and restaurants, as they were overwhelmed with business, but the whitetail population was devastated. The next year, it was residents only, and only one tag instead of the two that it had been. The whitetail hunting in that area has never been as good since, and the second tag was never offered again. And that is from a single year of unlimited licenses to anyone that wanted to buy them.
Now Saskatchewan is one of the best Provinces, for managing game for residents, at least they learned from their mistake.
The residents of Alberta pay taxes to manage the game populations, and they support the Alberta economy all year, so they should be the priority, if they have to wait years to get a tag, no non resident should get a tag.

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Alberta gets raped and pillaged. Look at the non resident draw system and hunter host system.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by MooseRiverTrapper

Alberta gets raped and pillaged. Look at the non resident draw system and hunter host system.

And the outfitters, and the unregulated hunting.

[JoshT]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

I woukd much rather see our Provinces get it together to have a central database for license holders so we can end the resident tag holders in several different Provinces at the same time( except for current serving CAF members ), but I doubt if that will never happen
Cat

Completely agree, and I don't think this exclusive to just easterns. Come to Grande and Prairie and look around at the BC plates in town.

[JoshT]

Originally Posted by Pointer man

I wish they would open hunting to everyone across the country. The majority of the States run this way, You don't need a guide and your welcome to draw for the majority of species in most States. General tags can be bought buy resident and non-resident alike and have 2 classifications for the draws. Have more draw tags issued to Residents and make Non-residents a once in a life time draw for covenant tags. I truly doubt you would see an increase in hunters crossing the boarders. Hell we have retired upland hunters in Alberta crying about the free release sites that wont drive 4-5hrs and shoot wild birds. When it comes to travelling to hunt, the vast majority of people talk the talk and don't walk the walk. But it sure would be nice to hunt the Yukon like the US non-residents can hunt Alaska or do a DIY "Once in a life time hunt" for Caribou in NFLD.

As far as residency goes, that should be proven through both health cards and tax returns IMO. It would clear up all the BS that's happening in our system really quick.

As much as I would love to be able to go to the Yukon and hunt caribou. I don't think opening up non resident hunting is the answer. I wouldn't want to see that in Alberta so I can't wish upon a different province/territory.

[Pointer man]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

If you want to hunt the Yukon, walk the walk and move there. Just because you want to hunt there doesn’t mean we should all have to endure the rest of the country hunting here b

I would in a heartbeat, 4 kids and a wife have me anchored though. I doubt the whole country would be hunting your private land access in Pincher though.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by Pointer man

I wish they would open hunting to everyone across the country. The majority of the States run this way, You don't need a guide and your welcome to draw for the majority of species in most States. General tags can be bought buy resident and non-resident alike and have 2 classifications for the draws. Have more draw tags issued to Residents and make Non-residents a once in a life time draw for covenant tags. I truly doubt you would see an increase in hunters crossing the boarders. Hell we have retired upland hunters in Alberta crying about the free release sites that wont drive 4-5hrs and shoot wild birds. When it comes to travelling to hunt, the vast majority of people talk the talk and don't walk the walk. But it sure would be nice to hunt the Yukon like the US non-residents can hunt Alaska or do a DIY "Once in a life time hunt" for Caribou in NFLD.

As far as residency goes, that should be proven through both health cards and tax returns IMO. It would clear up all the BS that's happening in our system really quick.

Pretty much a recipe to kill hunting in AB. Young hunters have enough trouble starting and getting access as it is, bringing in non residents will just add to the pressure. Monied folks want everything opened up not caring about the next generation that cannot afford to travel. They will eventually give up and hunting as we know it will not exist for the young. Breaks my heart to see young folks piled into ACA pheasant hunting land trying to get a shot at an errant whitetail because they cannot get permission and cannot afford to travel 300 miles down the road.

[X-Treme]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

trying to get a shot at an errant whitetail because they cannot get permission and cannot afford to travel 300 miles down the road.

Are they TRYING to get permission though? Or are they just doing the typical younger person entitled thing and waiting for it to come to them? I'm a new hunter this year, and already have access to over 2000ac of private land. Took a year to get here though.

I do agree with not opening it up though.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by X-Treme

Are they TRYING to get permission though? Or are they just doing the typical younger person entitled thing and waiting for it to come to them? I'm a new hunter this year, and already have access to over 2000ac of private land. Took a year to get here though.

I do agree with not opening it up though.

Not sure, they tell me they cannot get permission, and where I live I don't have any problem believing them. Not a lot of land that will allow hunting and those that do are generally careful about who they let on. Being young is definitely a hinderance, and asking folks in such an environment where they hunt is usually met with a blank stare. Trespassing and driving all over leases is a big issue here. As the older farmers retire and their sons take over things generally change. I think the closer one lives to a big center the worse things are. We have a few larger ranches that are pretty good but are over run with hunters.

[Sitkaspruce]

Originally Posted by JoshT

Completely agree, and I don't think this exclusive to just easterns. Come to Grande and Prairie and look around at the BC plates in town.

Most are there for the shopping and Costco!! I know, we are one of them...

The same can be said about all the red/white plates here in Fort St. John. And we don't have any attractions like Costco. I know of a few of those plate holders who carry a gun while driving the back roads and it is not for bear protection.

One thing I would like to see is that if a hunter was charged and given a hunting ban, that it carried through all the provinces. Some of the US states have this agreement that if charged in one state, you cannot hunt in any of the other states on the list.

Cheers

SS

[MooseRiverTrapper]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And the outfitters, and the unregulated hunting.

Start a new thread.

[Hilgy]

Originally Posted by Pointer man

I wish they would open hunting to everyone across the country. The majority of the States run this way, You don't need a guide and your welcome to draw for the majority of species in most States. General tags can be bought buy resident and non-resident alike and have 2 classifications for the draws. Have more draw tags issued to Residents and make Non-residents a once in a life time draw for covenant tags. I truly doubt you would see an increase in hunters crossing the boarders. Hell we have retired upland hunters in Alberta crying about the free release sites that wont drive 4-5hrs and shoot wild birds. When it comes to travelling to hunt, the vast majority of people talk the talk and don't walk the walk. But it sure would be nice to hunt the Yukon like the US non-residents can hunt Alaska or do a DIY "Once in a life time hunt" for Caribou in NFLD.

As far as residency goes, that should be proven through both health cards and tax returns IMO. It would clear up all the BS that's happening in our system really quick.

It seems that slowly some States are starting to go away from the open to everyone approach and start listening to residents as far as how they would like opportunity managed. I'd imagine that its a bit of a double edged sword though because of the loss of non resident revenue. Some of those out of State tags are spendy. One thing the US has going for it is Pitman Roberts.

Originally Posted by Pheasantchaser

100% in favor of reciprocity. In my simple mind, it seems fair.

The more i think about it the more I feel the same.

Originally Posted by MooseRiverTrapper

Alberta gets raped and pillaged. Look at the non resident draw system and hunter host system.

My opinion has always been that if a resident has to draw a tag there should be zero non resident tags awarded.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by MooseRiverTrapper

Start a new thread.

It's all part of the same problem, less tags for resident hunters.

[gevarm guy]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

In 1970 or 1971, Saskatchewan sold unlimited whitetail tags to whomever wanted to buy them. I doubt that the government had any idea how many people would come, but there were vehicles from several Provinces, and many states all over the country. It was great for hotels and restaurants, as they were overwhelmed with business, but the whitetail population was devastated. The next year, it was residents only, and only one tag instead of the two that it had been. The whitetail hunting in that area has never been as good since, and the second tag was never offered again. And that is from a single year of unlimited licenses to anyone that wanted to buy them.
Now Saskatchewan is one of the best Provinces, for managing game for residents, at least they learned from their mistake.
The residents of Alberta pay taxes to manage the game populations, and they support the Alberta economy all year, so they should be the priority, if they have to wait years to get a tag, no non resident should get a tag.

not sure where you got that info but i grew up and hunted in se saskatchewan. non residents could buy a tag in 70's and yes residents were issued 2 tags if they wanted every year. in fact in the se part they closed the season for non residents and still issued 2 tags for residents so there was no shortage of deer just sask hunters complaining that a non resident shot a bigger deer than he did!!

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by gevarm guy

not sure where you got that info but i grew up and hunted in se saskatchewan. non residents could buy a tag in 70's and yes residents were issued 2 tags if they wanted every year. in fact in the se part they closed the season for non residents and still issued 2 tags for residents so there was no shortage of deer just sask hunters complaining that a non resident shot a bigger deer than he did!!

I grew up in East central Saskatchewan, that is where I got that info. I got my first license in 1972, just after this happened, and we could only purchase one tag, because deer numbers were way down.