UPDATE: Monday Jan 29, 2024 

ATTENTION ALBERTA TRAPPERS! 

Furbearer Harvest Quota Update

 

Greetings Fellow Trappers,

 

Unfortunately, the wheels of government turn slowly, and it does not appear that there is sufficient time for government to repeal fur harvest quotas for this trapping season. There has been a lot of push back from some factions in government and the registration component of the quota system requires a change in regulation which takes time.

 

So, until the end of the trapping season does not exceed your allowable quotas for lynx, otter, fisher, and wolverine; and register all pelts in the normal fashion.  

 

However, the good news is that government has confirmed that the quota system needs an overhaul and that they will work with trappers over the coming months to have something implemented for next year.

 

Just to provide some background. The current quota system was implemented decades ago over concerns that high fur prices would lead to the over harvest of some species. There was no fact-based data or scientific process involved in the decision, just personal opinion.  Currently trappers are harvesting well under the allowable quota, and we continue to be data deficient on most furbearers not just the quota species. Government managers are not using trapper data from logbooks or harvest reports to manage seasons and quotas. Only the tallies from export permits are used to assess and manage fur harvest in Alberta.

 

Obviously, this is not an acceptable situation, government agrees and has committed to change. We will work closely with regulators and managers to get something done for next season. I apologize for the false start on this, we will get it right the next time.

 

Sincerely,

Bill Abercrombie, ATA President