Elk damage to private property around Canadian Forces Base Suffield has prompted the Alberta government to establish special elk hunting licences for the base.
As of Nov. 1, hunters can buy a $9 quota licence to hunt antlerless elk on CFB Suffield land north of Medicine Hat. Only 200 licences will be issued, and only online, on a first come, first served basis.
The permits will apply to one of four special hunts, of five days each, on Nov. 12-16, Nov. 19-23, Nov. 26-30 and Dec. 3-7.
Hunters must register at www.albertaelm.com and buy a wildlife certificate. They will need a yellow paper tag to buy the special licence online. These tags are available at district Fish and Wildlife offices.
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Only Alberta residents are eligible for the licences, and hunters will have to comply with specific procedures implemented by the army base, which include signing in and out, hearing a safety briefing, signing a waiver of liability, checking with the base 48 hours before the hunt, being escorted on the hunt by range control soldiers and clearing elk carcasses through a check station.
A news release from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resources said the elk reduction program is a trial “that will provide information about the effectiveness of public hunting as a management option for population control on CFB Suffield.”
