Wildlife Management Systems

[CdnElJefe]

Howdy folks,

This is just a general question on different wildlife management systems. As I have gotten deeper into the hunting world the last couple years I have done some comparisons between our Alberta animal populations and those in the US.
My question is for anyone who has insight as to what the difference is between wildlife management styles that lead to states such as Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington etc. etc. having 4-10x as many elk as Alberta, even though they are 36-45% the size?

Curious if anyone has information or opinions as to why Alberta couldn't carry an elk herd of 150,000 when states like Colorado have more people and have around 250,000?

Regards

[MooseRiverTrapper]

We have world class habitat. Few provinces or states have habitat to support everything from antelope to mountain goats.

We have terrible management and year round hunting from natives.

[walking buffalo]

Alberta's habitat could easily support massive populations of elk.

The Alberta government manages for drastically lower populations in agricultural areas quite simply for agricultural reasons.

Our Elk populations in "wilderness" areas are severely depressed mostly due to what I consider to be weak and wrong government decisions on predator management, specifically wolves and bears.

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by MooseRiverTrapper

We have world class habitat. Few provinces or states have habitat to support everything from antelope to mountain goats.

We have terrible management and year round hunting from natives.

The US also has way better system for funding its wildlife management and enchantment programs.

You don’t get world class management on a welfare budget like we run and most provinces for that matter

[CBintheNorth]

This is what you get when hunting by non-natives is looked at nationally with nearly the same disdain as oil and gas.
Essentially, we're the only ones that give a rat's ass.

[elkhunter11]

Hunters are generally the largest supporters of game management , and here in Canada, hunters are under attack by the federal government/ RCMP so it's not surprising that game management is underfunded/understaffed. And here in Alberta, APOS gets much more consideration than the resident hunters, and their only consideration is the outfitters profits, not in managing the the resource for the future resident hunters. Lastly, unregulated hunting is a huge factor for some species, in some areas, and game can't be managed properly, unless all hunters are regulated.

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Hunters are generally the largest supporters of game management , and here in Canada, hunters are under attack by the federal government/ RCMP so it's not surprising that game management is underfunded/understaffed. And here in Alberta, APOS gets much more consideration than the resident hunters, and their only consideration is the outfitters profits, not in managing the the resource for the future resident hunters. Lastly, unregulated hunting is a huge factor for some species, in some areas, and game can't be managed properly, unless all hunters are regulated.

Game management has been under funded in Canada long before attacks on firearms owners. It was less of an issue because there was a smaller population with less impact on wildlife habitat and numbers

APOS gets more consideration do to being a more organized user group, stronger lobbying, and ability to generate funding. Like it or not the are out working resident hunters and are more organized vs resident hunters who are too busy infighting

The US also has unregulated hunting by natives and like it or not this is not going away anytime time soon. One of the first things resident hunters need to do is stop trying to battle FN rights if they want to be taken seriously

First things first we need to admit resident hunters, their representation is a disorganized mess and change within is needed before resident hunters will be taken seriously

But I just got off nights and most would rather point fingers at everyone else instead of fix the issues within our own camp/ representation so it’s a waste of typing

[300magman]

Originally Posted by MooseRiverTrapper

We have world class habitat. Few provinces or states have habitat to support everything from antelope to mountain goats.

We have terrible management and year round hunting from natives.

Bingo.

Another aspect is placing financial value on the wildlife to alleviate the damages that come from them to producers. I know people here hate the idea of paid access, but when you place financial value on the access to hunt, it makes supporting a healthy population of say elk on your property much more palatable than only incurring the damages for no financial gain. Does it offset the damages……the amount it helps depends on the quality of animals and what you can charge for a hunt or contract your land to an outfitter for. Like or not, that’s a big factor we don’t have and leads to producers wanting/needing numbers controlled to a lower density here.

[matt1984]

The sad thing is that in many of the states their elk population is booming in the mountains. Here our mountains are nearly devoid of elk now. The harvest reports in the 400’s are depressing. Need to deal with the wolves and bears.

[wwbirds]

Interesting first post. Prepared the popcorn before the show started.

[CdnElJefe]

Originally Posted by wwbirds

interesting first post. Prepared the popcorn before the show started.

🍿🍿🍿😂😂

[ram crazy]

Originally Posted by CdnElJefe

Howdy folks,

This is just a general question on different wildlife management systems. As I have gotten deeper into the hunting world the last couple years I have done some comparisons between our Alberta animal populations and those in the US.
My question is for anyone who has insight as to what the difference is between wildlife management styles that lead to states such as Oregon, Colorado, Wyoming, Washington etc. etc. having 4-10x as many elk as Alberta, even though they are 36-45% the size?

Curious if anyone has information or opinions as to why Alberta couldn't carry an elk herd of 150,000 when states like Colorado have more people and have around 250,000?

Regards

Markymark is that you!

[CdnElJefe]

Originally Posted by ram crazy

Markymark is that you!

Not I haha