Fewer hunting licences, shorter season as deer populations decline
Posted Oct. 16th, 2014 by Robyn Tocker
White-tailed and mule deer populations are declining across much of the Prairies.
An estimated 49 percent decrease in white-tailed deer numbers in Saskatchewan has prompted the government to change the length of the hunting season, while mule deer numbers have dropped to 22,000 from 43,000 in 2001.
Several severe winters in the province have been blamed for the dwindling numbers.
Alberta’s deer populations remain normal, but the numbers vary by region. White-tailed deer populations remain lower north and east of Edmonton because of bad winters. As a result, the number of licenses in that area is different than in other zones.
Chronic wasting disease has also affected deer populations in Alberta, particularly in parts of eastern Alberta, such as Cold Lake and Drumheller.
Hunters in those regions are asked to submit deer heads to Alberta Fish and Wildlife for testing.
Manitoba has also seen a white-tailed deer decrease because of harsh winters. Exact numbers aren’t known, but the estimate is around 100,000. An aerial survey will be conducted this winter to determine the exact status.
The population decreases will affect this year’s hunting season.
In Saskatchewan, the season dates, harvest structure, quotas and bag limits have been changed.
Hunters may kill white-tailed deer of either sex, but the seasons for archery, crossbow, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle hunting in the farmland zones have been shortened. Seasons in the provincial forest and forest fringe areas remain unchanged.
Open seasons for antlerless white-tailed deer will be offered in the city zones of Saskatoon and Prince Albert for Saskatchewan residents.
Mule deer quotas have been re-duced. Regular archery hunting seasons continue in those zones with an either-sex quota greater than 50 licenses, but the season will be shortened to align it with the white-tailed deer archery season.
Antlerless mule deer quotas have also been lowered. Zones with quotas of 50 or fewer will now have a bag limit of one antlerless deer to allow the opportunity for more hunters while maintaining a similar harvest.
Zones with a quota of more than 50 will remain at a bag limit of two. Hunters who are selected for a zone with a bag limit of two will be able to buy both a first antlerless mule deer license and a second antlerless deer license for $19.62.
Alberta’s hunting seasons remain similar to past seasons except for closures in the area north and east of Edmonton. The big changes this year are mainly focused around elk.
There are draws for antlered and antlerless mule and white-tailed deer. There are also special draws for bow hunters, which are an increasing presence in Alberta.
Approximately 11,470 special licenses are available for antlered mule deer and 16,968 for antlerless. Antlerless white-tailed deer have around 5,197 licenses available and 360 for antlered.
In Manitoba, hunters can buy one only general deer license. The bag limit is one antlered deer.
A resident may buy only one license, which is valid during the archery, muzzleloader, shotgun and rifle seasons. Second and third deer licenses are available in certain areas.
After the license is used for its one deer, the hunter can go hunting again only in a two-person hunting party. The limit had previously been for parties of four, but this is no longer considered possible because of the population drop.
Hunting season dates for all three provinces vary depending on the zone, type of deer and weapon. In Saskatchewan, the first official date was Sept. 1 for both white-tailed and mule deer. White-tailed hunting season ends Dec. 2 and mule deer can be hunted until Dec. 7.
Alberta’s start date was Sept. 17 and goes until late November with a few seasons going until Dec. 20.
The earliest start date for Manitoba was Aug. 25 for white-tailed deer. The final date for hunting is Dec. 21.
A second deer season lasts only until Dec. 1 and is only available in some areas where the government is trying to reduce deer numbers.
A third deer season is only for three zones with the bag limit being one antlerless deer. It ends Dec. 21 and is mainly being done in areas where the government is trying to increase the moose population.
For more information, visit each province’s fish and wildlife websites.
