For the first time in five years a bison hunt is being allowed in Alberta.
The wood bison herd in the Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Alberta has grown to over 525 which has allowed the hunt to resume.
Albertans need to apply for a Resident Bison Special License draw tag in Bison Hunting Zone 1 before September 26 with the hunt scheduled between December 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024.
The applications are restricted to individuals to apply as they won’t be accepting any group applications.
First Nations and Métis applications for an Aboriginal Resident Bison License need to be in by September 22. A draw/lottery will decide who gets the tag.
The limited hunt is needed to sustain a healthy herd which is the largest wood bison herd in the world.
The hunt is being done to protect the current herd from expanding into areas that are close to the other infected herds, where Bovine brucellosis and tuberculosis have been detected.
The current health of the herd is strong following recent testing of 350 wood bison showing no diseases in the Hay-Zama herd.
