Alberta offers excellent bird hunting opportunities for both resident and nonresident hunters. With its diverse landscapes including prairies, parklands, foothills and mountains, Alberta is home to a wide variety of upland game birds and waterfowl that can be legally hunted during regulated open seasons. Here is an overview of some of the top bird hunting options available in the province of Alberta.
Upland Game Birds
There are several species of upland game birds that can be hunted in Alberta. These birds inhabit grasslands, agricultural fields, and brushy areas. Popular upland game bird hunting options in Alberta include:
Sharp-tailed Grouse
The sharp-tailed grouse is a medium-sized prairie game bird with a short, pointed tail. They are found throughout central and southern Alberta in open grasslands and parklands. Sharp-tailed grouse hunting season runs from September 1 to November 30. The daily limit is 8 birds and the possession limit is 16 birds.
Ruffed Grouse
The ruffed grouse is a resident upland game bird of the aspen parklands and boreal forests in northern Alberta. They are known for the broad, fan-like tail of black feathers. The ruffed grouse hunting season is September 1 to November 30 with a daily limit of 8 birds and possession limit of 16 birds.
Gray Partridge
Gray partridges, also known as Hungarian partridges, are found throughout many agricultural regions of Alberta. They prefer croplands interspersed with brushy fencerows and grassy areas. The gray partridge season runs from September 1 to November 30 with a daily limit of 8 birds and possession limit of 16 birds.
Spruce Grouse
The spruce grouse is a boreal forest grouse species that resides in coniferous forests across northern and western Alberta. They are a quiet, elusive bird but can provide a good upland game hunting opportunity. The spruce grouse season is September 1 to November 30 with a daily limit of 8 birds and possession limit of 16 birds.
Waterfowl
From early September through late October, Alberta sees huge migrations of ducks and geese passing through the province on their way south for the winter. Several species of ducks, geese and other waterfowl can be hunted during the regulated open seasons. Popular waterfowl hunting options in Alberta include:
Mallard
The mallard is Alberta’s most abundant duck species. They are found on marshes, ponds, rivers and lakes throughout the province. The mallard hunting season runs from early September to late November or December depending on zone. Limits are 7 mallards per day with no more than 2 females.
Canada Goose
Large flocks of Canada geese migrate through Alberta in the fall on their way to wintering grounds. They stop to feed in grain fields and wetlands offering hunting opportunities. The Canada goose season aligns with the general duck season. Daily limits range from 5-8 birds depending on species and zone.
Northern Pintail
The northern pintail is a common early migrant through Alberta with their long, elegant profile making them easy to identify in flight. They are found on prairie potholes, marshes and lakes throughout the province. Northern pintail limits are part of the general duck bag limits.
Green-winged Teal
Fast flying green-winged teal arrive early in Alberta on their southward migration. They prefer small ponds and marshes. Green-winged teal is a popular duck among hunters for their excellent eating qualities. Daily limits are part of the general duck bag restrictions.
Wigeon
Both Eurasian and American wigeon can be found on migration in Alberta. They frequent prairie marshes, lakes and parklands during migration. Wigeon limits are included as part of the daily duck limits.
Scaup
Lesser and greater scaup migrate down the eastern side of Alberta in large dense flocks, stopping on large open lakes. The scaup daily limit is part of the general duck limit.
Common Goldeneye
These diving ducks with their distinctive white facial patches are common during fall migration, especially on larger lakes in central and northern Alberta. Limits for common goldeneye are within the general duck bag restrictions.
Regulations for Hunting Migratory Game Birds
Hunting migratory game birds like ducks, geese, cranes, doves, woodcock and snipe is regulated under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act. Hunters must comply with federal regulations including:
- Having a valid federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit (MGBHP)
- Following season dates and bag limits
- Using non-toxic shot for waterfowl hunting
- Following rules on baiting
- Adhering to rules on decoys, blinds, and calls
In addition to federal rules, provincial regulations also apply to migratory game bird hunting in Alberta. Hunters must have the proper Alberta hunting licenses.
Alberta Hunting Licenses
To legally hunt migratory game birds and upland game birds in Alberta, resident hunters require a Wildlife Certificate and the appropriate hunting license tags such as a Game Bird License and Federal Migratory Game Bird License. Nonresident hunters need a Nonresident – CASA License and applicable tags:
License | Resident | Nonresident |
---|---|---|
Wildlife Certificate | Required | – |
Game Bird License | Required | – |
Federal Migratory Game Bird License | Required | Required |
Nonresident CASA License | – | Required |
Junior hunters, under 18 for birds other than migratory game birds and under 16 for migratory birds, must complete required hunter education but do not need all individual license tags. They hunt under a license held by their accompanying adult instead.
Summary of requirements:
License Requirement | Resident Adult | Nonresident Adult | Resident Junior | Nonresident Junior |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wildlife Certificate | Required | – | – | – |
Game Bird License | Required | – | – | – |
Migratory Game Bird License | Required | Required | Required if 16+ | Required |
Nonresident CASA License | – | Required | – | Required |
Hunter Education Requirements
To hunt game birds in Alberta, resident and nonresident hunters must complete required hunter education courses:
- Alberta Hunter Education & Firearm Safety Course – Required for all first time hunters to hunt birds and animals in Alberta.
- Federal Firearms Safety Course – Required if hunting with a firearm.
- Migratory Bird Hunting Permit Training Course – Required before obtaining a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit to hunt migratory birds like ducks and geese.
Youth hunters must take required training courses:
- Under 14 – Must complete firearm safety training before hunting with a firearm.
- 14-17 years old – Must complete full Hunter Education Course to hunt without direct adult supervision.
- 16-17 years old – Must complete Migratory Bird Course to hunt ducks, geese, etc.
Basic Rules and Regulations
When game bird hunting in Alberta, all hunters must comply with rules and regulations including:
- Have proper hunting licenses and migratory bird permit.
- Follow season dates and bag limits.
- No hunting within set distance of occupied buildings.
- No shooting from paved roads or highway right-of-ways.
- Follow rules on use of decoys, calls, blinds, etc.
- Adhere to rules on motorized vehicles.
- No hunting or discharging firearms while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Specific regulations apply in certain areas such as provincial parks, private land, and First Nations reserves. Hunters are responsible for reviewing and understanding the legal hunting requirements.
Top Bird Hunting Zones in Alberta
Some of Alberta’s top regions and specific areas for upland game and waterfowl hunting opportunities include:
Central Alberta
This transition zone between prairie and boreal forest provides excellent habitat for sharptail grouse, gray partridge, spruce grouse and migrating waterfowl.
- Neutral Hills – Sharptail and ruffed grouse habitat.
- Beaverhill Lake – Waterfowl staging area.
- Strathcona County – Mixed bag hunting near Edmonton.
Northern Alberta
The vast boreal forest region of northern Alberta offers outstanding waterfowl hunting on the many lakes, rivers and marshes. Grouse and ptarmigan hunting is also available.
- Peace River region – Abundant duck and goose hunting.
- Wood Buffalo National Park – Waterfowl stopover area.
- Slave Lake area – Mixed waterfowl hunting.
Southern Alberta
The prairie grasslands of southern Alberta provide prime habitat for upland birds like sharp-tailed grouse. Many migratory birds pass through this region.
- Grasslands National Park – Sharp-tailed grouse hunting.
- Cypress Hills – Upland bird habitat.
- Suffield Wildlife Area – Pronghorn antelope and bird hunting.
Southwestern Alberta
A transition zone from foothills to mountains, this region offers opportunities to hunt blue or dusky grouse, spruce grouse and migratory waterfowl.
- Waterton Lakes National Park – Blue grouse habitat.
- Porcupine Hills – Upland game birds.
- Cardston and District – Goose hunting.
Popular Game Bird Species
Some of the top game bird species hunted in Alberta each season include:
Species | Key Habitat Areas | Peak Season |
---|---|---|
Sharp-tailed grouse | Grasslands in central and southern Alberta | September – November |
Ruffed grouse | Aspen parklands in northwest and northcentral Alberta | September – November |
Spruce grouse | Boreal forests throughout northern Alberta | September – November |
Mallard | Wetlands throughout the province | September – November |
Canada goose | Fields and waterbodies in central and northern Alberta | September – December |
Northern pintail | Prairie potholes in central and southern Alberta | September – October |
Conclusion
In summary, Alberta offers tremendous bird hunting opportunities across the province during fall and early winter. With careful planning and preparation, hunting upland game birds and migratory waterfowl can provide an exciting outdoor adventure. Be sure to acquire proper licenses, know the regulations, find access to quality hunting habitat, and brush up on bird identification skills. From sharptails and partridge to ducks and geese, enjoy Alberta’s bounty by getting out and experiencing some of the best game bird hunting the province has to offer.