AWA Statement on Bill 41: Wildlife Amendment Act

March 24, 2025

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• Biodiversity
• Grizzly Bears
• Species at Risk
• Wildlife
• Wolves

On March 12, Alberta unveiled Bill 41, known as the Wildlife Amendment Act. This bill was described by the government as “common-sense updates” to the rules and regulations that would “simplify the process for hunters, trappers, and wildlife officers.”

Some of the changes proposed include:

• Black bears and mountain lions (cougars) can be hunted for food. Either the skin or the meat can be discarded and allowed to spoil.
• Allowing use of new technologies, such as laser aiming devices and electronic tags.
• Minors can hunt without supervision.
• Potential to allow more expansive use of hunting dogs. This includes the use of leashed dogs to track wounded animals.
• Shooting from motorized boats, as long as the boat is not in motion.
• Hi-visibility vests are no longer required.
• Wheelchairs are excluded from the category of vehicle.

On the surface, the changes proposed in the new bill are minor. However, with the already relaxed hunting limits around some of the province’s most vulnerable species, these changes to expand hunting are problematic.

For instance, allowing new technologies to be used can improve the efficiency of hunting, which, in a well-regulated system with sustainable harvest limits, would not impact populations. Conversely, as we have repeatedly argued, Alberta does not have sustainable harvest limits, meaning the more efficient hunting is, the faster animal populations could be pushed to collapse.

Similarly, the push to further open hunting and increase hunting access could place additional pressure on the environment and wildlife populations. It may lead to more discussions on opening trails, roads, and pathways, as well as amplifying the advocacy for motorized access. These improvements to accessibility for hunters can be harmful to hunted and non-hunted animal populations.

As with previous changes, the new regulations proposed by Bill 41 are aimed at increasing hunting in the province and could further push populations towards extinction or extirpation.