I know I am very late to this thread but I just got back into town. Your friend for getting land access will be the county landowner maps; access to private land (freehold or fee simple are also terms you will hear) is required and by law can not be paid for. However we have often dropped off bottles of wine to landowners who are pleasnat and reasonable. Access to public land (crown land) is quite abundant. Maptown in Calgary handles all the county maps for Alberta (as I am sure others do) http://www.maptown.com/ also research the Rumsey natural area http://www.albertaparks.ca/rumsey.aspx as I belive there are hunting and of other outdoor opportunities there.

As far as taking guns across the border I know several non-resident aliens who have gone through the process to get a PAL (Possession and Acquisition License) to expatiate the process of crossing the border although this is not required I have been by some folks that they find it helpful. http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/index-eng.htm

The Stettler area is beautiful and quite varied.

If you need to access crown grazing leases send me a PM and I will track down the website you need for that.

If any other ideas pop into my head I will add onto this thread.

Welcome and best wishes for a successful and profitable vet practice to your friends.

All the best GRF