Hunting beavers on private land?

[V45 sabre]

Wondering heard that you can hunt beavers on private land without a trapping license wondering if this is true.

[H380]

Unless you are the landowner you best get a damage permit from F&W before you rid the world of these pests.. classifed as furbeares and need a permit to remove as such or because of damage

[PEIslander]

Originally Posted by V45 sabre

Wondering heard that you can hunt beavers on private land without a trapping license wondering if this is true.

http://www.albertaregulations.ca/tra...management.htm

Scroll down to "Control of Problem Wildlife" (near the bottom), 3rd paragraph (starting with "Beaver")

It states:

"Beaver may be hunted and trapped, without a licence and during all seasons, on privately owned land by the owner or occupant of the land, or by a resident with written permission from the owner or occupant of the land."

You should be OK if you have written permission from the owner, but I'd consult with the local Fish Cop before you go about getting rid of the overgrown rats... Never hurts to cover your bases!

[dugh]

They mention "resident" separate from land owners and occupants. I read it to mean resident trappers. Just my two bits worth.
Doug

[flyguyd]

Originally Posted by dugh

They mention "resident" separate from land owners and occupants. I read it to mean resident trappers. Just my two bits worth.
Doug

They mean Alberta resident

[PEIslander]

Originally Posted by flyguyd

They mean Alberta resident

Yep.

Originally Posted by dugh

They mention "resident" separate from land owners and occupants. I read it to mean resident trappers. Just my two bits worth.
Doug

http://www.albertaregulations.ca/tra...tm#definitions

Fifth paragraph starting with "Resident" (should be centre of the screen).

States:

"Resident – a person who either has his or her only or primary residence in Alberta and

- is a Canadian citizen or admitted to permanent residence in Canada, or

- has lived in Canada for the 12-month period immediately preceding the relevant date; or is on full-time service with the Armed Forces of Canada and would, if an election were held under the Elections Act (Canada), be eligible to vote in Alberta under that Act."

What the regs don't say, at least in the abbreviated version of them in the guide, is what if anything must be done with the carcass & hide. That's the type of stuff it may be best to clear up with a Fish Cop first. May not be much fun shooting them if you have to swim out after them...

[H380]

is it legal to shoot an animal in the act of swimming? ... or does that only refer to big game animals....

[PEIslander]

Originally Posted by H380

is it legal to shoot an animal in the act of swimming? ... or does that only refer to big game animals....

That prohibition only appears in the "Big Game Prohibitions", so it would be a fairly safe bet that's all it applies too. Another question to clarify with the local Fish Cop.

http://www.albertaregulations.ca/huntingregs/

--> "General Regulations"
-->"Big Game Prohibitions"
--> "It is unlawful to"
--> "2"

States:
"discharge a weapon at a big game animal while it is swimming."