Trapping on Agricultural Leases
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Trapping rights have been granted over the majority of public land in the Green and White Areas (forested and settled areas) of Alberta. Although the White Area is predominantly used for agriculture, trapping is generally a compatible activity. This is particularly true on grazing dispositions where there are no major land improvements and the season of agricultural use doesn't conflict with the trapping season.
Industrial activities, including oil and gas development, and timber harvesting, can have a negative impact on a trapping area. For this reason, these industries contribute to a claims fund that compensates trappers for any business losses that are proven to result from industrial activity on the land.
Fur Management Licenses
A registered fur management license gives the holder the authority to hunt and trap furbearing animals for a period of five years on larger tracts of public land and on any private land the trapper may own or legally occupy. This license must be renewed every year on or before September 30.
A resident fur management license gives the holder the authority to hunt and trap furbearing animals on land he owns, legally occupies or leases, or on land for which he has written permission to trap. This type of license is generally issued to local area trappers for smaller tracts of land for a one-year period.
Trapping Rights on Agricultural Leases
Grazing and cultivation dispositions are included in agricultural leases for which trapping rights are granted.
A trapper must obtain consent from the disposition holder before the agriculture lease lands can form part of his fur management area. If the disposition holder refuses to give consent, the trapper can seek consent from the Minister of Sustainable Resource Development to enter onto the leased lands to trap. Under the current policy the trapper has the right to trap on agriculture lease lands if his fur management area pre-dates the disposition, or if the trapper received written consent to trap from the former disposition holder.
For areas under grazing license or permit, the trapper is not required to obtain approval from the agricultural disposition holder. The government does, however, encourage the trapper to contact the grazing licensee or permit holder to make any necessary arrangements and to avoid conflict.
Notification
In an effort to foster co-operation between disposition holders and trappers, the government provides contact names to the disposition holder when the dispositions are issued. Disposition holders are encouraged to notify the trapper if any activities that have been planned could affect the trapping area.
Range Improvement
Concerns related to the trapper's activities are taken into account when range improvement plans are developed.
This information is intended for convenience of reference only. The current relevant act and regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpreting and applying the law.
For updated information
Contact any of the offices below:
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Fish & Wildlife Division
Fish and Wildlife Business Services Branch
9920 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 427-3887
Lands Division
Rangeland Management Branch
9920 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 427-3595
Forestry Division
Forest Management Branch
9920 - 108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 422-4590
OR you can contact the closest Fish & Wildlife, or Lands Division office in your area.
