In the late 1800 and early 1900 the leaders of our country wrote up the treaties with the natives with not a thought about future generations. This is not a god given right like some think it is, it is a Government Given right. When the treaties were written the white people were the the ones wiping out large herds buffalo for fur. The natives were hunting for food and only took what they needed. Now they appear to be hunting for profit. Are the big trophy bulls been taken for just meat probably not, horns are more than likely being sold, maybe not up here but down south I know they have methods for getting stuff like that across the border, And alot of american's will pay huge money for a trophy bull, is it illegal yes it is can we catch them more than likely not.
Between 1871 and 1921, the Crown entered into treaties with various First Nations that enabled the Canadian government to actively pursue agriculture, settlement and resource development of the Canadian West and the North. Because they are numbered 1 to 11, the treaties are often referred to as the “Numbered Treaties.” The Numbered Treaties cover Northern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and parts of the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and British Columbia.
Under these treaties, the First Nations who occupied these territories gave up large areas of land to the Crown. In exchange, the treaties provided for such things as reserve lands and other benefits like farm equipment and animals, annual payments, ammunition, clothing and certain rights to hunt and fish. The Crown also made some promises such as maintaining schools on reserves or providing teachers or educational help to the First Nation named in the treaties. Treaty No. 6 included the promise of a medicine chest.
The Facts about Indian Hunting Rights in Alberta
The following information applies to persons defined as Indians under the
Indian Act who hunt game for food within the borders of Alberta.
1. In Alberta, the right of an Indian to hunt for food is recognized without regard to
where in Canada the Indian resides, therefore Indians from Alberta and elsewhere
in Canada may hunt for food on lands to which they have a right of access for
hunting in Alberta.
2. Indians have a right to hunt game for food, at all times of the year without a licence,
on unoccupied Crown lands and other lands on which they have a right of access.
Indians may hunt for food on privately owned lands if they have first obtained the
landholder’s permission to enter for the purpose of hunting. Unless hunting
permission has first been obtained, Indians may not hunt on lands being actively
used for mining, lumbering or other industrial purposes. Similarly, Indians may not
hunt on fenced, posted or cultivated lands, on lands containing buildings, which
may be used or occupied, or on lands on which livestock or other domestically
raised animals may be present without obtaining permission.
3. Indians may not hunt in National Parks, Provincial Parks, Recreation Areas,
Ecological Reserves and other similar lands where no hunting is allowed, nor may
they hunt in Wildlife Sanctuaries, including Road Corridor Wildlife Sanctuaries. It is
unlawful for any person including an Indian to hunt within 365 meters (400 yards) of
the centre-line of a road designated as a Road Corridor Wildlife Sanctuary.
(*Exceptions to this do apply – contact your local Fish & Wildlife Division office for
more information.)
4. Laws dealing with hunting safety apply to Indians in Alberta. For example, no
person, including an Indian hunting pursuant to his/her treaty rights, shall hunt in a
dangerous manner, illegally discharge a weapon or firearm (such as from a primary
highway, or within 200 yards of an occupied building, or at night), discharge a
weapon from a vehicle or have a loaded firearm in a vehicle. Local municipal
bylaws that prohibit the discharge of weapons in some areas may also apply.
5. It is unlawful to allow the edible meat of any game or bird to be wasted, destroyed,
spoiled or abandoned. Because the hunting rights of Indians extend only to hunting
game for food, all meat from a harvested animal or bird must be salvaged and used
for food.
6. For the purposes of conservation and management of the following species, all
Indians harvesting a trophy bighorn sheep or mountain goat must register the kill at
a Fish and Wildlife Division office within 30 days of the kill. Cougar harvested must
be registered within 2 business days and grizzly bears must be registered within 4
business days of the kill, at a Fish and Wildlife Division office.
7. An Indian may hunt migratory game birds, during all seasons, without a licence or
permit in Alberta, however bag limits and other laws concerning migratory game
bird hunting do apply.
8. Export of game outside of Alberta involves both federal and provincial laws.
Certain types of wildlife and certain wildlife parts cannot be exported from Alberta
by any person, including an Indian. Contact your local Fish and Wildlife Division
office for more information about exporting game that has been harvested for food
to a location outside of Alberta.
9. Certain provisions apply for the harvesting of wildlife by Métis in Alberta. The Métis
Nation of Alberta has adopted a Harvesting Policy, which is avaliable on their
website.
Alberta Sustainable
Resource Development
Fish and Wildlife Division
Dial 310-0000 and ask for the nearest Fish
and Wildlife office
Website:
www.mywildalberta.com
Canadian Firearms Centre
Federal Firearms Legislation
1-800-731-4000
Web-site:
www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca
Canadian Wildlife Service
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Phone: 1.800.668.6767
Website:
www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca
Phone: 1.800.567.9604
Website:
www.ainc-inac.gc.ca
Métis Nation of Alberta Phone: 780.455.2200
Toll Free: 1.800.252.1553
Website:
www.albertametis.com
February, 2011