Official Petition: Wildlife management decisions should be science-based and recent changes must be rescinded

May 12, 2025

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• Biodiversity
• Grizzly Bears
• Species at Risk
• Wildlife

Our wildlife is for everyone to enjoy!

Recent decisions have opened up hunting and trapping in Alberta, putting these species at risk. These decisions are not based in science, had no public consultation and unfairly favoured groups of hunters, trappers and outfitters over most Albertans. They must be rescinded before any more harm is done.

We are asking Alberta to speak up once more. 

Albertans have already written thousands of letters expressing concern and asking for these decisions to be rescinded. Now, we are asking for your support once more, to show that Alberta cares for our wildlife and will not stand for mismanagement.

Sign the Petition!

Two ways to sign:

1. In-person.
   1. Visit the AWA office at 455 12 St NW, Calgary, Alberta OR;
   2. Attend one of our events.

1. By mail.
   1. Print the petition (PDF available).
   2. Sign your name and address.
   3. Ask your neighbours to sign. There needs to be at least 1 signature on the petition.
   4. Mail to:
      Alberta Wilderness Association
      455 – 12 St NW
      Calgary, AB T2N 1Y9

The signatures must be from Alberta residents and originals, not stamped, photocopied or digital to be valid. The name, address and signature need to be included.

 

To the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in Legislature Assembled:

We, the undersigned residents of Alberta, petition the Legislative Assembly to follow the best available science on wildlife management and rescind the following decisions:

• Increasing cougar quotas and expanding cougar management areas (changes recorded in Government of Alberta Annual hunting quotas for cougars and Ministerial Order 37/2024).
• Allowing members of the public to shoot and kill “problem” grizzly bears (Ministerial Order 43/2024).
• Lifting quotas for furbearing animals, including wolverine, river otter, Canada lynx and fisher (changes recorded in Alberta guide to trapping regulations).
• Expanding the species hunted under a Minister’s Special License, including mountain goats (Ministerial Order 46/2024)

(Note: References in brackets are not included in the petition that will be submitted to legislature.)

 

We are asking the government of Alberta to use the best available science on wildlife management and establish sustainable limits on hunting and trapping. For clarity, we would like to see the following specific changes:

• Cougar quotas and cougar management areas are returned to 2023-2024 quotas, prior to the update.
• Grizzly bears are prohibited from any form of killing by members of the public. Problem bears are managed by trained wildlife officers and following the Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan.
• Quotas are reinstated for furbearing animals, including wolverine, river otter, Canada lynx and fisher as set in the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations 2023-2024, prior to the update.
• Species hunted under a Minister’s Special License do not include antlered white-tailed deer, mountain goat, cougar and bison and appropriate seasons are established.
• Changes to hunting and trapping seasons, areas or quotas are transparent and science-based.

For more information: https://albertawilderness.ca/open-letter-to-alberta-minister-of-forestry-and-parks-public-call-to-rescind-recent-detrimental-wildlife-management-decisions/