Management
Last Review/Updated: May 31, 2002
Rodents
and lagomorphs, like all wildlife, are a renewable resource. They have
the ability to replenish what is used by people. As long as a renewable
resource is managed wisely, it can always be used and enjoyed by people.
Alberta's Wildlife Act protects all furbearers and their homes, and specifies how they can be harvested or controlled. All trapping in Alberta is carefully regulated by Alberta Environment. All trappers are licensed to trap in specified trapping areas. Trapping seasons are set and fur sales are monitored by the Fish and Wildlife Division.
Most species of wildlife, including beaver and muskrat, produce more offspring each year than their habitats can support with food and shelter. Thus, there is a surplus number of animals in each population that will die from predation, diseases, accidents or starvation if not removed by trapping or hunting. Wildlife cannot be stockpiled from one year to the next.
Trappers
remove many of these animals without endangering the population's ability
to replace them. Indeed, many trappers continually underharvest beaver
and muskrat; and some of these populations have grown and invaded agricultural
lands, where they conflict with other interests.
Problem beaver are very costly to the Government of Alberta. More money is spent on preventing and paying compensation for flood damage caused by beavers than all other wildlife. Thus, trappers provide a service by removing surplus animals that may otherwise cause problems.
All wildlife require suitable habitat in which to feed, reproduce and seek shelter. The protection and improvement of habitat is the best way to ensure that there will always be gnawing mammals to provide food for other wildlife, to trap and hunt, and to enjoy as part of the natural world. Alberta Conservation Association's Buck for Wildlife Program maintains and improves habitat for many kinds of wildlife, including rodents and lagomorphs.
