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12-01-2016, 12:23 AM
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Is spotlighting legal in Alberta?
I hope I don't sound like a poacher asking this, but is spotlighting looking for big bucks legal? I know a few of my friends in the US, spotlight just to find where the deer are hanging out, and hit that spot the next day to hunt.
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12-01-2016, 12:45 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Beaumont
Posts: 3,389
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I don't know but this should be interesting.
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The kill is the satisfying, indeed essential, conclusion to a successful hunt. But, I take no pleasure in the act itself. One does not hunt in order to kill, but kills in order to have hunted. Then why do I hunt? I hunt for the same reason my well-fed cat hunts...because I must, because it is in the blood, because I am the decendent of a thousand generations of hunters. I hunt because I am a hunter.- Finn Aagard
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12-01-2016, 05:07 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 5,144
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And why do a buck's eyes shine yellow and does' blue?
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Former Ford Fan
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12-01-2016, 06:34 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: wmu 222, member #197
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I believe the activity is generally regarded as harassing wildlife...
but dozing acres of habitat for human is called progress.
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12-01-2016, 10:18 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Unregistered user
And why do a buck's eyes shine yellow and does' blue?
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And for some reason wolves eyes are red!
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12-01-2016, 02:37 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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That's a big NO!!! Been to court three times to testify about yo-yo's charged with "jack lighting" wildlife. Big fines and loss of rifles, equipment and licences for a long time.
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12-01-2016, 02:39 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Camrose
Posts: 45,139
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arrow dog
That's a big NO!!! Been to court three times to testify about yo-yo's charged with "jack lighting" wildlife. Big fines and loss of rifles, equipment and licences for a long time.
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I think that the OP is referring to driving around looking for game without carrying a weapon.
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Only accurate guns are interesting.
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12-01-2016, 03:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by elkhunter11
I think that the OP is referring to driving around looking for game without carrying a weapon.
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Yea I would never take a weapon with me. Just in case anyone would stop me for hunting at night, they wouldn't have grounds. Unless I could run up and strangle the deer to death.
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12-01-2016, 03:15 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
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I would think that you could be charged with harassing wildlife. At least I hope so.
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12-01-2016, 03:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Red 250
I would think that you could be charged with harassing wildlife. At least I hope so.
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But offroading at night isn't? Or loud bush parties?
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12-01-2016, 03:37 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 653
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Yep harassing wildlife would be the offence.
Sent from my SM-G530W using Tapatalk
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12-01-2016, 06:06 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 5,144
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Garbage! I ride my bike thru fish Creek park in the dark each morning and my helmet mounted light shines up a ton of wildlife, I aint harrassin' nuthin'.
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Former Ford Fan
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12-01-2016, 06:11 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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What would be the reason for spotlighting them at night to go and hunt them during the day in the same area. Haven't they already shown that they are there at night, not during legal hunting hours? I don't get what the advantage would be.
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12-01-2016, 06:22 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JWCalgary
Yep harassing wildlife would be the offence.
Sent from my SM-G530W using Tapatalk
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Are you sure.!! 
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12-01-2016, 06:39 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Bazeau County East side
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arrow dog
What would be the reason for spotlighting them at night to go and hunt them during the day in the same area. Haven't they already shown that they are there at night, not during legal hunting hours? I don't get what the advantage would be.
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If one was searching for a truly big buck it would be a good way to see what is in the area. Of course then the games begin on where and when the big buck will be during the day.
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12-01-2016, 08:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2015
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geesh 
do people not read the hunting regulations anymore
what ever happened to common sense?
spotlighting legal in Alberta?
does water run up yer back side when you bath?????
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If you consider an unsuccessful hunt to be a waste of time,
then the true meaning of the chase Eludes you all together
you only get a second
shoot where their
going not where they been,
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12-01-2016, 08:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Diesel_wiesel
geesh
do people not read the hunting regulations anymore
what ever happened to common sense?
spotlighting legal in Alberta?
does water run up yer back side when you bath????? |
Not sure why you are ripping your hair out. I never mentioned of discharging a firearm after dark or any weapon. I see this as no different than when I drive home at night a herd of deer cross my way. Am I intentionally looking for deer? No. Am I harassing wildlife? I would hope not. I need headlights to drive through the forest to get to my house...
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12-01-2016, 08:48 PM
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I don't see how shinning a light could be called harassment as long as you are not chasing them with a truck.
Does anyone know this as a fact or is it just an opinion?
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12-01-2016, 09:02 PM
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Even if it isn't illegal to shine a light in the bush or a field it comes down to what your honest intentions are and is it morally right or wrong, fair chase etc. I know how any observer would perceive it so why give yourself and other deer hunters and general outdoorsmen that kind of image. You can't shoot anyways so why bother? Tomorrow is another day bro!
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12-01-2016, 09:27 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikeman06
Even if it isn't illegal to shine a light in the bush or a field it comes down to what your honest intentions are and is it morally right or wrong, fair chase etc. I know how any observer would perceive it so why give yourself and other deer hunters and general outdoorsmen that kind of image. You can't shoot anyways so why bother? Tomorrow is another day bro!
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Really no different than using trail cameras.
Especially the ones that send the pic to your phone.
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12-01-2016, 09:38 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 15,846
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Battle Rat
Really no different than using trail cameras.
Especially the ones that send the pic to your phone.
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No kidding.
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12-01-2016, 09:44 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: West
Posts: 210
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Someone beat me to the trail cam comment...^^^
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12-01-2016, 09:46 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikeman06
Even if it isn't illegal to shine a light in the bush or a field it comes down to what your honest intentions are and is it morally right or wrong, fair chase etc. I know how any observer would perceive it so why give yourself and other deer hunters and general outdoorsmen that kind of image. You can't shoot anyways so why bother? Tomorrow is another day bro!
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Back before Sunday hunting was legal we would spend all day spotting, without guns in the truck.
Monday is another day.
Is that immoral bro?
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12-01-2016, 10:03 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
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Who am I to say what goes through some people's minds? Have a little compassion for the animals you pursue. I thought like that till I finally anchored my first truly big whitey. They are tough but if you think driving around at night and spooking them off their feed or disrupting the deers travel patterns is gonna up your odds at a big old whitetail in the farmland then have at er I guess....there's always dumb luck, there's other ways to go about it though.
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12-01-2016, 10:18 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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I would suggest to get an accurate answer you should call your local F&W officer and ask the question if you are determined to proceed with this activity, its not against the law to ask before you head out and find yourself getting reported or charged with something and written down in their black book of persons of interest. I am not preaching to anyone but for me it comes down to my own ethics and last but not least, I like my sleep. Good luck and if you do get a solid answer please post your findings.
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The mark of a man is not found in his past,
but how he overcomes adversity and builds his future.
Quitting is not an option.
Regardless of the overwhelming odds or obstacles in your path,
you always have an opportunity to overcome.
It is your attitude that will determine the outcome.
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12-01-2016, 10:43 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,615
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pikeman06
Who am I to say what goes through some people's minds? Have a little compassion for the animals you pursue. I thought like that till I finally anchored my first truly big whitey. They are tough but if you think driving around at night and spooking them off their feed or disrupting the deers travel patterns is gonna up your odds at a big old whitetail in the farmland then have at er I guess....there's always dumb luck, there's other ways to go about it though.
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At no point did I say I do this but I don't see it as being illegal.
I do have one blind that I regularly ride a quad to and will see bucks in the head lights on the ride out after dark.
I often see those same bucks again later on so that's not chasing them out of the area.
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12-01-2016, 11:06 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gloszz
Not sure why you are ripping your hair out. I never mentioned of discharging a firearm after dark or any weapon. I see this as no different than when I drive home at night a herd of deer cross my way. Am I intentionally looking for deer? No. Am I harassing wildlife? I would hope not. I need headlights to drive through the forest to get to my house...
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yes its illegal
the charge is and does apply
and does stick
harassing wildlife
__________________
If you consider an unsuccessful hunt to be a waste of time,
then the true meaning of the chase Eludes you all together
you only get a second
shoot where their
going not where they been,
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12-01-2016, 11:09 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,615
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As I said before I could care less if it's legal or not. When the old boys see lights flashing around the fields when they get up for a leak, the discussion around the coffee table at the local diner will be night hunting. Trust me. To me it isn't worth the hassle. Maybe you can explain it to them why you need to do it. Then maybe they will tell you what hunting is really about. Peace. Everyone has their own opinion and you heard mine. Maybe the f and w or a rancher or big farmer can chime in and say what they think about it.
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12-01-2016, 11:35 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,392
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Where I usually hunt, if you go in in the middle of the night trying to find whatever it is you are looking for, I highly doubt you would come back out with no injuries and smell from your pants 
This guy gets it:
Quote:
Originally Posted by pikeman06
They are tough but if you think driving around at night and spooking them off their feed or disrupting the deers travel patterns is gonna up your odds at a big old whitetail in the farmland then have at er I guess....there's always dumb luck, there's other ways to go about it though.
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Also, I am not sure how would scouting at night help you at day time. Unless, of course, you follow the guy to the lights out and take him down. If you know where the big guy is during dark hours, chances are you will have hard times finding him during daytime anyway.
Lastly, and that's just my opinion, the hunt is not just putting an animal down, but planning and going to the "unknown" (for the luck of a better word) and finding what you are looking for. That's where it's at. Anyone can shoot. But try to find the target.
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12-02-2016, 09:15 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: St. Albert, AB
Posts: 1,178
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Also, I am not sure how would scouting at night help you at day time. Unless, of course, you follow the guy to the lights out and take him down. If you know where the big guy is during dark hours, chances are you will have hard times finding him during daytime anyway.
Its very simple If you are hunting farm country with lots of fields and only small bluffs and saw the big bucks at night you would know that they have to be bedding in the small bluffs during the day and it would be a simple matter of pushing the bluffs to kick the deer out of their beds.
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