ACA Conservation Magazine Fall/Winter 2022

Legacy Partnerships

25 Years of Conservation

Non-traditional Hunters

Embracing Age-old Traditions in Modern Times

Avian Flu What Does It Mean to Backyard Birders and Hunters?

All about Owls Why We Give a Hoot

Stocking Walleye in Alberta

Greatness Granted!

In the last 25 years, approximately $29 million has been granted to conservation-related projects across the province. These funds—and the incalculable in-kind efforts and countless volunteer hours of our grant recipients—have had a massive reach to further ACA’s mission and vision benefiting Alberta’s wildlife and fish populations, and the habitat they depend on.

Application Deadlines

ACA Research Grants

Accepting applications for 2023-2024 projects November 1–December 1, 2022.

ACA Grants in Biodiversity

Accepting applications for the 2023–2025 funding term until December 1, 2022.

ACA Conservation, Community, and Education Grants

Accepting applications for 2023-2024 projects January 1–25, 2023.

For more information and to download your application form, go to www.ab-conservation.com/ grants/aca-grants-programs

Photo: ACA Grants in Biodiversity Project: Drivers of Whitebark Pine Regeneration: Key to Restoring a Species Credit: Matthew S. Gelderman

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Our Vision

An Alberta with an abundance and diversity of wildlife, fish, and their habitats; where future generations continue to use, enjoy, and value our rich outdoor heritage.

Our Mission

ACA conserves, protects, and enhances fish and wildlife populations and their habitats for Albertans to enjoy, value, and use.

Photo Description: MULTISAR fish barrier assessment

photo: ACA, Mike Verhage

From the President

This summer seems to have raced past, but not to worry if you did not get outside and enjoy what was a beautiful summer—you still have time. Fall is an awesome time of year: the mornings are crisp and cool, and the afternoons are warm and sunny. Sunrises are beautiful, looking over golden fields of grain. The sounds of geese, cranes, and ducks fill the air. If you are an angler, the fish are hungry and eager to bite. If you are a hunter, the birds are abundant, and the elk are bugling. If you are a gardener, it is harvest time and maybe time to do some landscaping. Fall is a great time, with no lack of fun things to do, so I hope you will get out there and take advantage of this time of year.

In this issue of the magazine, you will read about what our staff have been up to with habitat assessment and restoration. You will also find descriptions of a number of conservation sites you may want to consider checking out this fall. Also, in this issue you will find several articles about getting women and young people out for their first hunting or fishing experiences. I know sometimes people question how hunting and fishing can be related to conservation. When you read the articles, you will see the compassion, ethics, and desire that comes through; and you will quickly understand that when someone becomes a hunter or an angler, they become an advocate for conservation.

If nothing else, I hope you will read the articles in this issue of Conservation Magazine and feel inspired to get out and explore Alberta’s natural heritage. With all the crazy things that are happening in the world today, just think about how peaceful it would be to walk along the frozen lake depicted on the cover and discover what is at the end of those tracks. Take time to enjoy the little things in life and if you can, share the experience with someone else that might not normally get outdoors.

Sincerely,

Conservation Magazine

Editor: Tara Holmwood

Contributing Editors: Don Myhre, Adrian Watzke

Contributing Writers: Ken Bailey, Andrew Clough, Megan Evans, Brad Fenson, Dr. Lee Foote, Josh Glover, Susan Hagan, Janine Higgins, Tara Holmwood, Gwyneth Ozar, Duane Radford, Ariana Tourneur

Design: Charmaine Brunes

Photo Credits: Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Wild Boar at Large Control Program, Kevin Arychuk, Kirsten Azar, Ken Bailey, Logan Blair, Charmaine Brunes, Meagan Butler, Fred Calverley, Rhonda Eidick, Colin Eyo, Brad Fenson, Matthew S. Gelderman, Josh Glover, Dave Jackson, Tyler Johns, Dan Johnson, Paul Jones, Ken Kranrod, Matt Laird, Marthaller family, Garret McKen, Elmira Olson, Allan Orr, Jesse Pattison, Duane Radford, Diana Rung, Zach Southgate, Erin VanderMarel, Mike Verhage, Samuel Vriend, Karen Wickerson (Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development), Linda Zimmerling

Illustration Credits: Jane Bailey

Cover Photo: ACA, Garret McKen (Ungulate activity at Rudakevich 2 Conservation Site)

ACA Board of Directors Executive

Bill Abercrombie, Chairman

Alberta Trappers Association

Robert Gruszecki, Vice Chairman

Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association

Sandra Mellon, Treasurer

Public At Large, Northwest Region

Chuck Priestley, Secretary

Public At Large, Northeast Region

Directors

Vince Aiello - Public At Large, Central Region

Ken Bailey - Pheasants Forever

Tom Bateman - Director Emeritus

Tony Blake - Nature Alberta

Dr. Mark Boyce - ACA/University of Alberta Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife

Gordon Burton (Interim Representative) - Alberta Professional Outfitters Society

Fred Calverley - Trout Unlimited Canada

Randy Collins - Northern Board Liaison

Neil Keown - Backcountry Hunters & Anglers – Alberta Chapter

Patrick Long - Director Emeritus

Richard Mellon - Wild Sheep Foundation Alberta

Richard Stamp - Public At Large, Southern Region

Brent Watson - Alberta Bowhunters Association

Vacant - Alberta Fish & Game Association

Vacant - Minister’s Representative, Alberta Environment and Parks

Vacant - Treaty 8

Conservation Magazine

(ISSN 1488-6235) is the official biannual publication of Alberta Conservation Association.

Charitable Registration Number: 88994 6141 RR0001

Todd Zimmerling, M.Sc., PhD, P.Biol. President and CEO

Alberta Conservation Association

For advertising sales information please contact: Ken Kranrod: 780-410-1989

advertising@ab-conservation.com

PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 41260556

RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: 101-9 Chippewa Road Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 6J7

photo: Linda Zimmerling

Grouse Truths

Last time we checked in on Alberta’s spruce grouse populations, we told you about how we were collecting and analyzing population data since anecdotal evidence had suggested numbers were trending lower.

After summarizing harvest data volunteered by hunters pursuing spruce grouse from 2015 to 2020, we found the average annual harvest of spruce grouse reported was 6,123 grouse taken by an average of 2,657 hunters.

ACA’s lead biologist on the project, Mike Jokinen, concludes that the spruce grouse harvest and the number of hunters reached a six-year high in 2019. Since then, it has decreased, with the most recent data (from 2021) showing a further decline in both spruce grouse and ruffed grouse harvest and hunters.

“Licence sales have largely remained the same over this same timeframe though,” says Jokinen. “It’s important to remember this aspect was voluntary, and not all successes are reported."

Understanding population trends is complex, and voluntary harvest numbers on their own can be misleading if not calibrated with other data sources. Since Alberta’s trappers spend a significant amount of time on their traplines, we also asked for opinions on forest grouse and grouse trends. Of the 131 Registered Fur Management Area (RFMA) holders, almost half felt the three-year trend (2018 to 2020) for forest grouse has held stable. The majority of RFMA holders who responded had both ruffed and spruce grouse on their traplines, and in many cases, other species of grouse.

Stay Conservation Curious

Teaching kids about the environment, conservation, and nature can be fun and exciting by taking advantage of their natural curiosity. Welcome to the Conservation Education Room—a dedicated space within the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum in Wembley, located 20 kilometres west of Grande Prairie. Each year, a new conservation-based exhibit is unveiled, featuring freestanding displays, custom digital production displays with voiceover, and stunning photography.

For more details about the outcomes of the project, visit: www.ab-conservation.com /spruce_grouse

Past years have included snow geese overabundance and species at risk. This year, the kids are diving into the art of trapping—and how it has evolved into a helpful wildlife population management tool that also sustains Albertans with food and income. From busting myths to dropping facts on how Canada is a world leader in humane trapping research and development, this display isn’t just for kids! Visit www.dinomuseum.ca/ exhibits-collections

photo: ACA, Paul Jones

Growing for the Grasslands

They may not look it at first glance, but grasslands are amazing stretches of landscape and home to stunning biodiversity—and equally diverse communities of people too. With 500 million acres spanning Indigenous Lands, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, the Central Grasslands is one of North America’s largest and most vital ecosystems—and it is disappearing at an alarming rate.

“That’s why the Central Grasslands Roadmap exists,” says Phillip Rose, ACA biologist and Canadian working group representative. “It brings together three countries and eight diverse sectors collaborating on a large-scale level to conserve the grasslands.”

Launched in 2020, the Central Grasslands Roadmap is a guide that informs innovative and connected conservation to benefit the people and the wildlife that depend on them.

“Many user groups are part of this, including ranchers, industry, First Nations, and non-profits like ACA,” says Rose. “It’s this widespread, collective effort that eliminates redundancy.”

An ACA representative was on hand at the annual multi-national summit in Colorado from May 23 to 25. They joined 300 key attendees in discussing the vision, goals, and strategies; learning from one another; finding areas of collaboration and overlap; and prioritizing immediate action steps to make measurable changes toward the collaborative goals.

Big change requires bigger thinking! Want to learn more about the collaborative conservation effort? Read about the Roadmap and the Summit at grasslandsroadmap.org

RAP Trailer

Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA) is now responsible for the education component of Alberta’s Report A Poacher (RAP) Program, using the RAP trailer. The trailer is used at outdoor events and sports shows across the province and is outfitted with static displays and videos about RAP. To reach even more people about the importance of conservation education, AHEIA visits schools, providing a mobile education program that complements provincial outdoor education curriculum, in addition to educating about the impacts of poaching. Teachers are welcome to contact AHEIA staff, who assist with many topics, including the fur trade and how it opened up Canada.

Translocation Activation

Talking turkey is nothing new around here. For several seasons, ACA has been working with landowners to get a better understanding of wild turkey numbers and distribution, focusing on a long-term plan to enhance populations.

After all, wild turkeys in Alberta are in high demand. In 2021, over 23,500 hunters sought a turkey tag—with only 200 tags available.

“That’s partly why we’ve been paying attention to turkey trends,” says Doug Manzer, ACA senior scientist and Wildlife Program Manager. “We’ve found they’re doing well in some areas, but numbers are down—substantially in some places—compared to ten years ago.”

ACA is in discussions with other jurisdictions to see if they can translocate wild turkeys. “This is a way to re-establish the birds in areas that had them in the past, as well as enhance populations in areas we believe they will do well in,” says Manzer. “This is an exciting time to begin the process of rekindling the population.”

The goal is a sustainable, huntable population, and Manzer reminds us that the plan isn’t short-term, “There are inevitably ebbs and flows, and reproductive success doesn’t take hold until year two.”

The team is working towards enhancing the population in the southwest over the next ten years and will also look at establishing wild turkeys further north, toward central Alberta.

That will take landowners (predominantly ranchers) playing host to the birds.

“Landowners have been extremely helpful—we’re encouraged by their enthusiasm and interest,” says Manzer. “They are inadvertently the custodians of the birds over time. By their grace, these birds live there along with their cattle.”

photo: ACA, Colin Eyo

Call of the Wild

ACA manages over 250,000 acres of land, and we learn as much as we can to keep our sites as healthy as possible. Focused inspections provide a baseline data set for properties we know little about. “This helps compare species assemblages on the same site after many years of change,” explains Dan Sturgess, ACA biologist. “We survey songbirds, vegetation, amphibians, nightbirds, and this year, owls!”

With the help of STRIX Ecological Consulting's Lisa Takats Priestley, four conservation sites were surveyed between March 20 and May 5.

It was a wonderful day at Wabamun Lake on Sunday, August 21, when ACA partnered with the Africa Centre for a unique Kids Can Catch event. Mother Nature was good to us while over 40 kids and their families took a leisurely boat ride onto the lake and experienced fishing for the first time. Participants were taught how to bait a hook, drop a line, and what to do once they caught a fish. All of the new anglers finished the day with smiles on their faces, fish in hands, and bellies full of the best Jamaican patties on the planet! This event could not have happened without incredible volunteers and staff who are passionate about future young anglers.

To find a Kids Can Catch event near you, visit www.albertakidscancatch.com.

During this critical nesting period, owl calls were played to elicit responses. Calls for daytime species included the northern pygmy owl and northern hawk owl; and nocturnal species included the northern saw-whet owl, boreal owl, long-eared owl, great gray owl, and barred owl. While ACA detected only one species, the northern saw-whet owl, even the absence of a response to the calls is useful information.

Did you know? Calls are played in sequence from smallest to largest owl to decrease possible predation between bigger and smaller owls.

Effectiveness of Walleye-Pike Fishing Regulations

Angler surveys are an essential component in managing recreational fisheries. It helps ACA better understand fishing pressure on waterbodies and direct conservation efforts to the right places.

For enhanced accuracy, it’s important that the same lakes are surveyed for multiple years. “Whether that’s consecutive or nonconsecutive, it allows us to observe changes in angler effort over time,” explains Nikita Lebedynski, ACA biologist. “Effort changes may occur due to changing catch rates, fishing regulations, or other variables.”

Angler Survey

How’s the fishing?

For 2021 and 2022, teams have been doing angler surveys on the same four lakes—two with slot limits and two with Special Harvest Licence walleye tags. “As we finish these surveys, we’ll require fall index netting (FIN) data from the government to do the analysis,” says Lebedynski. “We will evaluate how pressure has changed and potentially how it is impacting the fish populations.”

photo: ACA

photos: ACA, Rhonda Eidick (top and middle); ACA, Colin Eyo (bottom)

A Closer Look: Acquiring Hunting Access

Finding a place to hunt. That’s been a hot topic for years, and for good reason. It’s hard!

ACA created a voluntary online survey to collect information from hunters about their perspectives on acquiring hunting access to private land in Alberta. This follows up on the results of a landownerspecific survey.

Just under 3,000 people completed the hunter survey, and the results mirrored much of what we learned from landowners. But there were also some important differences. Check them out.

illustration: Jane Bailey

Seasonals in the Sun

On average, ACA hires ten to 15 seasonal staff each summer to help with the heavy field workload. Staff work across the province in any of the three field-based ACA Resource Programs: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Land Management. With so much to do in such a short period, ACA field employees and seasonal staff rarely have time to enjoy an open field at sunset, realize the beauty of a swallowtail caterpillar, or pretend to be a moose! Luckily, this year’s seasonal staff on the Conservation Site Management (CSM) team captured these breathtaking and silly moments—even while conducting songbird, vegetation, and weevil surveys; installing signs; completing general CSM maintenance; and settling into camp—providing a glimpse into the busy life of an ACA seasonal staffer.

“Working at ACA has been an awesome experience, especially being able to see a variety of different conservation sites that they manage in Alberta. ACA provided me with a great learning environment to grow my skills in the area of conservation. I especially enjoyed the plover surveys we conducted in May!”

~ Jesse Pattison, ACA seasonal staff

“Starting with ACA as a seasonal employee allowed me to see a variety of conservation sites and be exposed to many different tasks and eventually led to full-time employment. Spending time outdoors on conservation sites and in camp settings is a huge part of seasonal CSM work, making the field season very busy and exciting.”

~ Meagan Butler, ACA junior biologist

Jesse Pattison conducting a weevil survey

Meagan Butler holding a moose shed

Swallowtail caterpillar

photos: ACA, Garret McKen

Looking for an opportunity to work with ACA next summer? Applications will begin being accepted mid-December. Continue to check here to view any postings: www.ab-conservation.com/about/careers

“Working for ACA has been an incredible experience. The work being done is so important, and everyone working here is awe-inspiring in their dedication and passion. I feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity.”

~ Justine Anklam, ACA seasonal staff

McKen and Jesse Pattison conducting a vegetation survey

Settling in for a night at camp after a long day of fieldwork

“Working with ACA is very satisfying. It is quite an honour to be involved in conservation at this level—from the initial site inspection of site securement to the restoration and/or enhancement activities that take place on a site. Each site is different, and it is awesome getting to know each of them, from all the insects, plants, and larger wildlife that call our sites home.”

~ Garret McKen, ACA junior biologist

Garret

Boreal toad

photos: ACA, Meagan Butler

Sunrise at an early morning songbird survey at Pigeon Lake Conservation Site

Jesse Pattison and Justine Anklam conducting a songbird survey photos: ACA, Meagan Butler

► by Susan Hagan

Connecting with Something Bigger than Yourself

Sometimes Ken Kranrod will get an email or a phone call about a donation that moves him to remember that his job with Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) is deeper and more meaningful than simply an occupation.

“Conservation allows you to connect with something bigger than yourself,” says Kranrod, a biologist and Vice President of ACA. “What’s the meaning of life? That can be disconcerting to people, the big unknown.”

Whether it is a corporate partnership, individual donation, land donation, or municipal partnership, there are many ways to become a partner or donor. ACA has seen a dramatic increase in municipalities coming on board, with 25 now signed up with longterm commitments—putting money toward stocking fish, aerating lakes or ponds, and helping with habitat restoration.

“There’s a lot of caring there. Some companies and some municipalities do it because they know it’s the right thing,” Kranrod says. “This work needs to get done, and if they don’t step up it won’t get done. Conservation resonates with them, and they want to help out.”

While ACA receives solid financial backing annually from hunting and fishing licences, people devoted to conserving nature might also donate land, money, or time to their favourite cause. Legacies can bring comfort to loved ones and honour those they have lost.

“No one group can do it alone,” Kranrod says. “Conservation is such a large and comprehensive and complicated thing that you need a lot of different people lending a hand in order to make it happen. We try to forge long-term relationships.”

Land and in-memoriam donations also seem to be growing. The Ecological Gifts Program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada aims to bolster land donations by corporations and private citizens. Corporate donors may deduct the amount of the gift directly from taxable income. Private donors convert the donation value into a non-refundable tax credit, with unused portions carried forward for up to ten years. Kranrod added that ACA has received many land donations because of generous tax credits, and without it, people would have to sell their land even

if they didn’t want to. The donated land is conserved in perpetuity, protecting the land’s biodiversity for future generations. Kranrod adds that because nature outlasts us, conservation is the perfect tribute to those who were passionate about conservation, “It was here before you were here, and it will be there after you’re gone. That’s what resonates with people.”

MacConnachie Conservation Site

The largest in-memoriam donation to date was for Peter MacConnachie, who worked with a tireless passion as Senior Sustainability Issues Management Specialist at Suncor Energy, and worked closely with ACA for more than a decade. While there have been many memorial sites that have been donated, this is the first time ACA initiated the memorial with industry partner Suncor, which has been a conservation partner since the early days of ACA.

“We had a really strong personal relationship with Peter,” said Todd Zimmerling, President and CEO of ACA. “He was a friend to me and to a good number of our staff, who worked with him so closely and for so many years.”

The memorial is set on 310 acres about 17 kilometres east of Two Hills, a beautiful location with trails cut through the forest and nestled within the ecologically sensitive area. The memorial site is home to wetlands, aspen, birch, poplar, willow, and spruce trees, with wild berries in summer, and supports a variety of species including ruffed grouse, waterfowl, deer, moose, and black bear.

MacConnachie was a strong advocate for biodiversity and protecting mixedwood forests. When the site was officially dedicated in 2019, Peter’s wife, two daughters, colleagues, and ACA staff were there to celebrate his life.

“Everybody went for a walk and they came back with the impression that this is a beautiful site to relax, be with your thoughts in nature—all the things Peter would love about it,” Zimmerling says. “When he passed away very prematurely, it just came to everybody’s mind that we should do something to honour what he had done and what he helped to develop, as a legacy for the funds that he helped to gain and the support that he provided within Suncor.”

Conserving your land is a commitment and a pledge for future generations to use, explore, and enjoy.

Monetary donations—whether for yourself or in-memoriam of a loved one—benefit all outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife, fish, and habitat.

Donating shares and stock options is win-win: minimize taxes on the investment appreciation and support conservation efforts.

For more information visit www.ab-conservation. com/donate/make-a-donation or email Ken Kranrod at ken.kranrod@ab-conservation.com. Leave Your Legacy in Conservation

Baird Conservation Site

photo: ACA, Kirsten Azar

► by Susan Hagan

Non-traditional Hunters Embracing Age-old Traditions in Modern Times

Amy Ouimet grew up in northern Ontario building tree forts, fishing, walking on homemade stilts, and shooting and eating grouse from her family’s camp in the woods along the lake. But she didn’t hunt big game, saying that was “more of a man’s club” for her dad and older brother. When those two went on weekend hunting trips, Ouimet and her mom stayed back at the basic cabin, which was lit by lanterns and heated with a wood stove.

That shifted in 2019, when the operating room nurse moved to Alberta and found mentors. “I don’t buy any red meat,” said Ouimet, 28. “I have sausages, ground hamburger, steak, roast… I am obsessed with deer.”

Her journey to hunting big game began when she met a partner who took her out to shoot her first buck. When they broke up two years ago, she pursued hunting on her own. “I was left dumbfounded by the fact that I relied on him a lot for information, for his strength, which I think a lot of females do, which is OK. But after being alone, I thought I needed to learn where, and how, and who for hunting and fishing.”

Along the way, Ouimet met many women who were passionate about hunting and fishing and she “just wanted to be one of them.” She joined Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA) and Alberta Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA), where she discovered a community of like-minded friends.

Alberta Hunters on the Rise

Though hunting has meant survival throughout human history, the number of hunters has been decreasing for decades in almost every jurisdiction in the United States and Canada. Only Alberta has seen an increase, with women being one of the largest demographics for growth. From 2016 to 2020, hunting licence sales for Alberta residents went from 127,020 to 151,724. According to surveys, the number of female hunters increased from less than 10 percent to about 15 percent in that time.

photos: Amy Ouimet credit: Zach Southgate (left and bottom right); Allan Orr (top right)

Rose Athena, originally from Calgary, took up hunting in 2019 because it’s “in her blood.” She hunted game birds as a teenager with her dad and uncles and was mesmerized by pictures of her dad on horseback, geared up for a big game hunt. Her first hunting trip went smoothly after spending time with her AHEIA mentor learning how to sight-in her rifle, purchasing the proper licences, and discussing every aspect of hunting she could think of. She went with her AHEIA mentor to a hunting spot south of Calgary, harvested her first deer, and received some help from her mentor to field dress it. The second time, she field dressed it herself, overcoming nerves to get the blade right and not hit the bowel. Both times, she did her own butchering, a feat she takes pride in. She is beginning a new career path after finishing her MBA and is committed to hunting as a lifelong pursuit.

“The feeling of independence is why I’m drawn to hunting,” said Athena, 32. “It’s the thought that if everything went haywire—which we’ve all seen recently come to fruition—gives me the feeling that I could support myself if I needed to.”

Allan Orr, AHEIA’s hunting mentor coordinator for southern Alberta, says it’s tough for new hunters to find a place to learn ethics, respect, and connection to wildlife if they don’t have support. He has accompanied many non-traditional hunters—including Ouimet and Athena—on their first hunts, as well as youth, and new Albertans.

Not Just for the Boys

“A lot of women have been told all their lives, ‘you can’t do this, this is just for the boys,’” Orr said. “I’ve been told numerous times that hunting helps to empower women. AHEIA and our mentors just want to help. We also know that this lifestyle is contingent on having new hunters in the field. If we don’t help, essentially hunting will disappear.”

Orr took Ouimet on a mentored hunt on the prairies of southern Alberta in 2021. After spending the morning scouting the area, they perched waiting for a white-tailed deer. Soon she had a doe in her sights about 130 metres away. Filled with adrenaline, Ouimet breathed deeply, carefully identified it, and took her shot. In the excitement, it took her a few seconds to see that she’d made a perfect shot. She had watched a video on how to field dress, and with her mentor’s advice and guidance, “just went to town.”

“Being an OR nurse, we’re always cutting people open so blood doesn’t bother me,” she said. “I was so proud of myself, realizing the shot I took was right to the heart so it just dropped.

“You’ve just taken a life. It’s powerful and scary and a big deal… when I grab the meat to cook it, it always takes me back to that moment. Grocery shopping never gives you that feeling.”

David Dolph, who runs the Outdoor Women’s Program at Alford Lake through AHEIA, says getting youth and women comfortable with nature is vital to getting more people back to traditional pursuits like hunting. “If people don’t experience the outdoors, they have no vested interest in looking after it or protecting it,” Dolph said.

Orr says that although youth numbers for hunting have been lower than in previous years, he believes that women hunters will lead to more youth involvement. “As we get away from just the men going hunting, and we can get the moms and dads out hunting, the kids will likely follow.”

photos (this page): Rose Athena credit: Logan Blair (top); Matt Laird (bottom)

A New Generation

Hanah Marthaller, 17, has raised pheasants at home near Nanton since she was five, hunted birds since she was 12, and has since hunted deer and elk, as well as trained hunting dogs with a mentor.

“It’s nice to know where was that animal, how you take care of it, how was it processed, and how you eat it. I really enjoy raising the birds. You learn step by step how everything is made and created. It makes you really knowledgeable and appreciate everything down the line.”

Marthaller’s mom, Sarah, has hunted since childhood alongside her teacher parents, and is now an education coordinator with AHEIA’s Report A Poacher trailer program, which visits schools and attends events. Her parents taught her husband Chris how to hunt, something he never had the opportunity to experience growing up in Calgary. Now Sarah, Chris, and their four daughters hunt together, spending much of their time outdoors.

“There are not a lot of women who hunt, but those who are mentoring are strong, confident women,” Sarah said. “Doing something unique gives my daughters confidence. They’ve been doing this for a long time. They’re good at it.”

LEARN. HARVEST. EAT.

Whether you’re new to hunting or want to sharpen your skills, Harvest Your Own (HYO) gives you expert advice on how to bring your own ethically harvested, wild game to the dinner table. Check out harvestyourown.ca for tips on how to get started and listen to the Harvest Your Own podcast to learn how to harvest, process, and cook your own wild Alberta feast. Podcast host Brad Fenson—an outdoor journalist, photographer, and speaker who has been hunting, fishing, and foraging his entire life—shares his passion and experience, as well as interviews with knowledgeable guests. Find all episodes at www.harvestyourown. ca/podcast/

photos (this page): Julia Marthaller with her first pheasant (top left); Jessica Marthaller with her first deer (top right); Hanah Marthaller with her first mule deer and her first white-tailedw deer (bottom) credit: Marthaller family

site seeing Operation: Restoration!

► by Tara Holmwood

Change is not always seen immediately. The growth of a child, puppy, or even a tree may go unnoticed until one day you look back on photos from long ago and see the difference.

Over the years, Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) has acquired many conservation sites through our various projects within the Land Management Program. Upon acquisition, not all the sites are ready to let nature take the lead—some sites need coaxing, finessing, and overall restoring from us to help them on their path back to their original state.

Depending on the ecology and the final goal of the site, ACA staff and contractors complete different restoration applications. Some sites may require tree planting or wetland development, while others may just need water added to rejuvenate a dormant hundred-year-old seed bank. But all sites need lots of time—we may not even see the necessary change within our lifetime.

There is no denying the sense of accomplishment when we see change happen. As the trees reach for the sky and the shrubs, wetlands, and grasslands fill marginal land—we are proud to be making a difference, a small step to reverting the land back to its native ecology.

North Fawcett - 2022

photo: ACA

North Fawcett - 2022

photo: ACA

North Fawcett - 2011 photo: ACA

North Fawcett (D3-94)

Acquired in 2006, this 150-acre site was the first of seven in the Fawcett area. With four wetlands restored by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and over 30,000 coniferous trees planted with the help of Millar Western Forest Products and Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA). These efforts enhanced the habitat for such wildlife as moose, white-tailed and mule deer, elk, black bear, waterfowl, and upland game birds.

Schroeder (E3-72)

ACA has been restoring this 150-acre site southeast of Red Deer since 2009. To begin the restoration of abandoned cultivated and haylands, Tree Canada donated and planted 100,000 aspen and white spruce trees! Since 2011, ACA has continued to supplement the native woody habitat with plantings of saskatoon, poplar and willow. ACA also developed ephemeral ponds (temporary breeding location for amphibians) and restored a 4.5-acre wetland for waterfowl and other migratory birds’ nesting grounds. White-tailed and mule deer, and upland game birds can also be found on this site.

Rudakevich I (C1-64)

Acquired in 1999, Rudakevich I is one of ACA’s older conservation sites and has had one of the most dramatic shifts. In 2011, ACA planted 70,000 white spruce trees to enhance the habitat. Originally a grass field, nature has been filling in the gaps with tree and shrub encroachment over the last two decades. This 160-acre site now consists of mature upland habitat for elk, moose, white-tailed and mule deer, black bear, and upland game birds.

East Hays (F4-12)

Acquired in 2008, this 144-acre site is an ever-evolving success story. Beginning as a farmer’s hay field, ACA planted 11,000 shrubs and restored 13 acres of wetland to enhance the habitat—particularly for winter cover to benefit huntable upland game birds. Other wildlife in the area includes white-tailed deer, mule deer, and waterfowl.

East Hays - 2022

photo: ACA, Tyler Johns

East Hays - 2008

photo: ACA

Schroeder - 2011

photo: ACA

Schroeder - 2021

photo: ACA, Kirsten Azar

Rudakevich 1 - 2019

photo: ACA, Garret McKen

East Hays - 2013

photo: ACA, Tyler Johns

Schroeder - 2009 photo: ACA

Site Restoration Activities

FLATBUSH 5 (D3-147)

FLATBUSH 2 (D3-66)

NORTH FAWCETT 2 (D3-12)

NORTH FAWCETT 6 (D3-156)

EAST OAKLEY LAKE (D3-150)

KARVONEN (D3-84)

GOLDEN RANCHES (D3-137)

JUNCTION LAKE (D4-129)

WINTERGREEN (D4-132)

LEAVITT (E3-44)

SCHEERSCHMIDT (E3-169)

PORTER (E3-170)

LEGACY (F4-17)

ROSS CREEK (F4-20)

ACA started restoring this site in 2012 by planting over 78,000 spruce and pine trees in the open fields, and native grass and forbs in the crop field.

Over 30,000 coniferous trees were planted in the open fields of this site.

Wetland restoration and tree planting began in 2009, and over 260,000 trees of various species were planted in the grass fields.

Since 2013, over 200,000 trees of various species were planted at this site.

ACA began restoration at this site in 2013 by planting in the hay fields and forest understory. Plastic mulch was used to protect the trees from grass competition in the fields.

Spruce trees were planted in the forest understory in 2013 to re-establish mixedwood forest characteristics on the site.

The first trees were planted on this site in 2014 and, more recently, restoration of the crop field has begun. Wetland restoration was also done on the site.

In 2015, ACA and DUC began restoring four wetlands on the site. ACA also enhanced habitat for piping plovers—due to their presence in the area—along one of the larger wetlands and planted over 800 trees in the fields and forest understory. A viewing platform was built on the west end of the site to allow for safe viewing of these birds during nesting season. Funding from ConocoPhillips Canada Ltd. played a key role in these enhancements.

In 2021, the crop field at the site was planted with native grasses.

Between 2002 and 2006, Junior Forest Wardens (JFW) planted spruce trees in the area surrounding the natural springs. ACA continues to add a variety of native shrubs and trees in an ecobuffer planting along the south and west boundary of this site.

ACA and DUC began converting cultivated cropland to permanent cover (hayland) in 2017. Four ditch plugs were installed by DUC to restore the wetlands.

In 2018, ACA began working with Grey Wooded Forage Association to rejuvenate the hayland through direct seeding. We introduced a beaver co-existence project to mitigate damage to infrastructure while allowing beaver to remain on the site.

This site began habitat enhancement activities in 2011 to improve nesting, brood-rearing, and winter cover for upland game birds. This involved reseeding 35 acres of cropland with grass mix (supported by Pheasants Forever – Calgary Chapter) and developing a 12-acre wetland complex.

In 2017, ACA began restoring riparian vegetation, tame grasses, and ephemeral wetlands at this site.

Leavitt - 2015

Junior Forest Wardens with trees planted in 2005

photo: ACA, Erin VanderMarel

Restoration – the short list

When asked which sites have shown development from restoration activities, ACA biologists were eager to add the sites they visit throughout the year to the list. Learn more about these conservation sites and others in the Alberta Discover Guide: www.albertadiscoverguide.com

The Silver Site with Golden Hopes

Acquired in 2010, Silver Sage (F4-16) is a 2,371-acre site that has created a lot of buzz among biologists. When ACA purchased the (80 percent) cultivated cropland, their intention was to return it to native prairie upland, which is well on its way. Considering its unique ecology as a semi-permanent, ephemeral wetland—a desert catchment rather than a waterbody surrounded with bullrushes—DUC and ACA are proud of the current state of the restoration. Over 65 species, including Sprague’s pipit, sharp-tailed grouse, and pronghorn enjoy the habitat. Twelve years into its restoration, it still has a long way to go. Then again, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Silver Sage photo: ACA

Leavitt - 2005

Junior Forest Wardens planting trees

What Does It Mean to Backyard Birders and Hunters? Avian Flu

► article and photo

by Brad Fenson

Does notice of a new virus impacting birds alarm you? What are the risks for hunters and bird watchers? Viral infections have become front and centre after two-and-a-half years of COVID-19. While the Coronavirus educated many of us, there is still a fear and misunderstanding of viruses.

What Is It?

Avian influenza, more commonly referred to as “bird flu,” is a viral infection that can spread easily and quickly among birds, particularly waterfowl. Parts of North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa are currently seeing outbreaks. On June 14, 2022, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center said, “The first 2021/2022 detection of Eurasian strain (EA) highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in North America occurred in December 2021 in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Subsequently, HPAI EA H5 and EA H5N1 viruses have been confirmed in wild birds, backyard flocks, commercial poultry facilities, and wild mammals in both Canada and the United States.”

Initial Reaction

There’s always an alarm when a new virus or strain of infection is issued. Could it impact people? To date, no confirmations of the avian flu in humans have been reported in North America. Despite potential risks, birds are a genuine concern.

Concerns grew this spring when large flocks of migrating snow geese returned north. Hundreds and thousands of sick and dying geese were reported. Domestic poultry operations, including the largest duck producer in Canada, Brome Lake Ducks in Québec, were struck hard. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered Brome Lake Ducks to slaughter 150,000 ducks and destroy 400,000 Pekin duck eggs to prevent the further spread of avian flu in domestic operations or wild fowl.

Warnings for Backyard Feeders

During the spring migration, sick birds were more prevalent. Wild bird enthusiasts were asked to stop feeding birds as this could cause the virus to spread through sharing food. However, the risk was diminished with birds nesting and rearing young in specific territories. Some species are more susceptible than others, and many people want to know about current risk factors for birds. Dr. Mark Boyce, Professor of Ecology, and Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, says, “According to our avian flu expert, Kathy Magor, avian flu is primarily an issue for waterfowl and gallinaceous birds (grouse, turkeys, pheasants, and chickens). The biggest issue for bird feeders at this time of year will be salmonella. Feces below feeders mix with seed and create a risk. Best to keep bird feeders for winter.”

Warnings for Hunters

This spring, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) posted information for hunters and the public that may encounter sick birds. Hunting was still allowed, and the consumption of harvested birds came with recommendations.

ECCC guidelines for hunters handling game

meat:

• Cook game meat thoroughly to an internal temperature of approximately 74°C (165°F).

• Follow safe food handling practices such as hand washing and keeping game products separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination.

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling raw game products.

• Thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces, tools, work areas, and clothing.

• Wash boots that may have been in contact with bird droppings in a bleach solution of 50 millilitres to four litres of water.

Hunters enjoyed the spring white goose conservation hunts and there were no reports of people getting sick, despite thousands of birds being handled and consumed.

The Unknown

One of the fears for migrating birds was taking the avian flu back to large nesting colonies, where it could spread quickly. ECCC did foresee potential issues and stated, “check the federal migratory game

bird hunting regulations for updates to migratory bird harvests restrictions.” If colonies of migrating birds were impacted over the summer, short notice could be given to hunters. The good news is there are no reports of further problems or outbreaks.

Moving Forward

The recent avian flu outbreak is not the first and will not be the last. Reports of sick or dying birds during the summer have waned or completely disappeared. Todd Zimmerling, President and CEO of ACA, says, “My hope is that by the time the fall migration starts the disease will have run its course, and we will see little evidence of avian influenza when the big northern flocks of birds start to arrive. Even if the disease is still seen in some birds, it is important to keep in mind that at this point in time, we have no information that indicates that avian influenza poses a risk to hunters.”

Warnings were issued this spring, but information on avian flu has slowed or stopped. What are the present concerns, and what should everyone be aware of today? Doug Manzer, ACA senior scientist and Wildlife Program Manager, puts things in perspective, “Avian flu was particularly noticeable this spring among some migratory snow geese flocks. Avian flu can influence resident populations of game birds, although I'm not aware of this occurring within Alberta.”

Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with what you look for, handle any harvests safely, and continue to enjoy the plentiful seasons and fowl.

What To Look For and What To Do

• Watch for signs of avian flu. Do not touch a dead, injured, or sick bird, which may have nervousness, tremors, lack of coordination, and swelling around the head, neck, and eyes. A bird with avian flu will lack energy or movement and may be coughing, gasping for air, or sneezing. Some birds will appear to die suddenly or suffer from diarrhea. It is essential to know the signs, as hunters and the public are asked to report possible avian flu cases.

• Call the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative information line at 1-800-567-2033 or use their online reporting tool if you see any bird with symptoms. Concerns can also be relayed by calling Alberta Environment and Parks at 310-0000.

Celebrating a 25th Anniversary allows us to reflect on how far we have come and how we got here. Over the years, some of Alberta Conservation Association’s (ACA) long-standing projects—Aerated Lakes, Conservation Site Management, Fisheries Assessments, Fish Stocking, and MULTISAR—have endured, while newer

projects—Kids Can Catch, Taber Pheasant Festival and Wildlife Cameras—have also become established. All these projects have thrived through the ups and downs with support from our legacy partnerships. As a thank you, we are paying tribute to our longterm Corporate Partners in Conservation (CPIC) that have provided funding to support

projects in every ACA Resource Program— Wildlife, Fisheries, Land Management, and Communications—and the Grants in Biodiversity Program. Their continued partnership allows ACA to fulfill our mission: to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitats for Albertans to enjoy, value, and use.

photo: ACA, Garret McKen

My Son’s First Deer…and a Lifetime of Memories

► article and photos by Ken Bailey

My phone buzzed about five minutes before I was about to hike into an area with no cell service. My plan was to stillhunt a massive black spruce bog that I knew several white-tailed bucks used as escape cover.

“What’s up, Austin?”

“I shot a deer. A buck,” he replied calmly. With nowhere near the same composure he was displaying, I advised him to hang tough, and I’d be there in 20 minutes. My youngest son had, apparently, just shot his first deer!

My stepsons were 10 and 11 years old when I married their mother, old enough that their interests were hard-wired. They were city kids whose leisure time was spent playing hockey, music, and a wide assortment of video games. In fact, I bet my kids could have beaten your kids at Nintendo! Fortunately, they had no concerns about coming home to find a deer hanging in the garage or duck gumbo on their dinner plate, but through their formative years they showed little interest in hunting. That changed as they grew to become young men.

At 19, Jazz, the older brother, took an interest in archery. He became an exceptional marksman with a bow, though he never did hear the hunter’s horn— targets were all that interested him. Austin, however, was 20 when he told me he wanted to hunt deer. I advised him that step one was to take the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA) Hunter Education Certification course, and a few weeks later he announced he had passed. That summer we went out several times to the quarter section of mostly treed land I misleadingly call “the farm” and taught him the basics of shooting a rifle. Austin is athletic by nature and a quick learner, so it didn’t take long before he was handling the gun confidently and safely.

Our first hunt that fall was two cold November days at a friend’s camp where we alternated between still-hunting and sitting.

Unfortunately, it was a case of no deer and no luck. A couple weeks later we headed to the farm for a few days. I had a great time teaching Austin to read sign, and identify birds, trees, and animal tracks, but we saw few deer. One afternoon, we did manage to get the jump on a small buck following two does, but this fleeting opportunity was not a realistic chance for a new hunter. It turned out that Austin ended the season with an unfilled tag and unfulfilled expectations. I’m not sure what lessons he’d learned, but I came away from the experience a whole lot smarter.

Leaping ahead to the next season’s frosty November morning—when I got that fateful call—I was nearly overcome with nervous anticipation as I hiked to the blind where I had left Austin before first light. And, if I imagined he was taking it all matter-of-factly based on our brief call, that quickly changed when I walked up to him. He was shaking with excitement as he related the story.

He said it all began when two does passed within 20 yards of his blind but didn’t stop long enough to present a shot. Fortunately, just a few minutes later a 4x4 buck ambled by, clearly in pursuit of female companionship. As Austin told it, his fidgeting in the blind while trying to get a bead on the buck made enough commotion that the deer stopped in his tracks, turned, and stared directly at him.

“I think he stood there for 20 or 30 seconds, while I recalled where to aim on a deer facing directly towards me and

then get him lined up properly in the crosshairs,” said Austin. “He was close, and I was having trouble getting my scope turned down. That made everything that much more difficult. I wasn’t going to shoot unless I thought I had it perfect.”

When I arrived, Austin was standing over a spray of dark blood in the snow, with no deer in sight. The volume and colour of blood suggested that he’d hit the buck well and that it wouldn’t be far, but I kept that to myself. It was an opportunity to teach him about tracking a wounded deer. We began a systematic search, him leading the way, me following. As I suspected, we didn’t have to go far, finding the buck over a rise just 50 metres from where it had initially been hit.

I’ve been very fortunate over the years to have hunted in many different places and collected more than my fair share of experiences and trophies. But I’ve never felt more blessed as a hunter, or a father, than I did at that instant, hugging Austin as we stood over his first deer. It was an extremely personal and emotional moment that I wish every hunter and parent could experience. And best of all, there is no best-before date on it.

Some things to consider when teaching your child to hunt

Naturally, I was excited when Austin told me he wanted to hunt. Probably too excited, and that can lead to problems for both the parent and the child. Over-eagerness and unrealistically high expectations can lead to disillusionment.

At the end of his first hunting season, with no deer to show for our efforts, I was probably more disappointed than Austin. I’d put too much pressure on myself to make sure he was successful, forgetting that hunting success should never be measured by game taken. I learned several other lessons in helping Austin harvest his first deer that hopefully others can benefit from:

» It’s never too late to introduce a child, spouse, or friend to the hunting experience.

» Encourage, but don’t push, those who don’t come by the interest naturally. They’ll let you know when they’re ready.

» Hunting from a blind is ideal for any beginning deer hunter as it affords them more time to prepare to shoot.

» Ensure they learn that field-dressing and butchering their deer is a step in the hunting process and every bit as important as shooting it.

» If you think they are mature enough, and they are of legal age, leave novices on their own. Most don’t benefit from a steady stream of whispered advice, especially when they are excited, and they take great pride in having done it themselves.

» Help them prepare their first meal featuring venison they harvested, cleaned, cut, and wrapped. As they fully experience the field-to-table connection, you’ll see their sense of achievement on full display. For more on mentoring youth hunters, check out episode 33 of the Harvest Your Own podcast: Mentoring Future Hunters at www.HarvestYourOwn.ca

Species Spotlight All about Owls Why We Give a Hoot

► by Susan Hagan

Saw-whet owl photo: ACA

Juvenile great horned owl photo: ACA

Immature great grey owl photo: ACA, Diana Rung

Northern pygmy owl photo: Fred Calverley

Burrowing owl photo: ACA, Paul Jones

Why does it appear that burrowing owls are choosing Idaho over southern Alberta for their summer breeding grounds?

Maybe because grasshoppers, one of their favourite meals, have not been as plentiful during the recent rainy years in Alberta. Habitat for burrowing owls is fairly healthy here, with wide stretches of grazing areas available, according to Brad Downey, biologist with Alberta Conservation Association (ACA).

“There have been issues of flooding out burrows,” Downey said. “When we were out doing our surveys, there were years we did not see burrowing owls. This year, we saw three pairs already because it’s been drier out, grasshopper numbers are coming up.”

Dan Johnson, professor of environmental science at the University of Lethbridge, has torn apart hundreds of burrowing owl pellets—regurgitated parts they can’t digest— since he began studying them in the 1980s. Among the things he found was how reliant the birds are on grasshoppers and other insects. With almost 100 different species of grasshoppers—with only about a half dozen being agricultural pests—rainy years with low grasshopper numbers may be tied to burrowing owl and other bird population declines. But more surveys must be done to get clear answers.

“Although burrowing owls prey on small mammals, the nestlings, and to some extent the fledglings, consume grasshoppers if they’re available,” Johnson said. “In some years, when there just aren’t many around, I can see why nutrients for nestlings and fledglings would be really low.”

These long-legged owls, roughly the size of a gopher, arrive in southern Alberta in April or early May and stay as late as October. They inhabit native grasslands and make their homes in old ground squirrel or badger holes, where they can raise young and escape predators. As the owls winter as far away as southern Texas and northern Mexico, conditions down south matter too. But secure breeding grounds are especially important, and the quantity and quality of native grasslands is vital. Burrowing owl populations have declined significantly since the 1930s, and they became Endangered in 1995. There are thought to be fewer than 1,000 breeding pairs left in Canada, primarily in Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Downey’s work involves reclaiming and maintaining native grasslands—the presence of burrowing owls is an indicator that all the connected species are doing well. Downey adds, they “breed like rabbits” in captivity, laying up to 12 eggs, so unravelling any threat is vital.

“If owls are there, then there’s probably a good small mammal population, there are insects there that probably are used by a variety of other grassland birds,” Downey said. “Burrows indicate that there could be other species using those burrows… It’s one of those iconic species that use flat open grasslands that if you see it, it’s what true grassland should have.”

Historically, burrowing owls followed bison herds, using the dung in their burrows to attract dung beetles and mask their scent— they now live amongst cattle herds in much the same way. Conversion of grassland to cropland is thought to have contributed to the population decline. Because owls are top of the food chain, toxins from pesticides and

herbicides used to poison agricultural pests such as grasshoppers and Richardson’s ground squirrels, may lead to bioaccumulation of pesticide in their systems, especially in the past when insecticides were often persistent organochlorine compounds. Those older accumulating pesticides have been replaced, so this factor has improved in the owls’ favour.

What do we know about other owls?

The great horned owl—with a wingspan reaching up to 150 centimetres—was adopted as the official bird of Alberta in 1977 following a province-wide children’s vote. Two of Alberta’s largest owls—the great grey and great horned owls—are year-round residents, as are the barred, northern hawk, boreal, and northern pygmy. While they vary in size and habitat, all owls are hunters that swallow their prey whole or in large pieces. But since they can’t digest fur, teeth, bones, or feathers, their stomachs create pellets that they regurgitate.

Grasshopper parts found in pellet photo: Dan Johnson

Burrowing owl pellet photo: Dan Johnson

What don't we know?

Quite a bit. There is a knowledge gap about owl populations because about half are truly nocturnal and live in dense forests. Meagan Butler and Dan Sturgess, ACA biologists, began owl surveys for the first time last spring as part of their focused inspections. Studying mixedwood species of owls last April meant standing on boggy ground amidst a surreal calm—surrounded by jack pine, spruce, and aspen, beneath a crescent moon, listening for the haunting calls.

“You think of massive bird declines throughout North America, so if you can keep an eye on things like owls, then that’s helpful to our understanding,” Sturgess said.

ACA biologists were about 160 kilometres north of Edmonton on four sites near Fawcett and Flatbush to survey. The presence of any species of owl indicates the land supports places to hunt, nest, and raise young. This is important because owls may not breed every year if food is scarce.

After getting the required provincial permit, the biologists start by listening for two minutes. They then play the call for each owl individually for 20 seconds, starting with the smallest owl. They are careful not to call in larger owls if smaller ones are in the area. The saw-whet owl - a smaller species - was already calling when the biologists arrived. When they played the calls, the replies grew more excited, answering faster and louder. Earlier in the day they saw a great grey owl carrying a mouse land in a nearby tree, but they did not hear it call that evening.

Gathering information helps determine the status of both diurnal and nocturnal raptors. Being high on the food chain—eating prey such as rodents, frogs, birds, insects, reptiles, and even hares—and relying on several species for food and nesting, makes them vulnerable to environmental disturbances. Another bonus to studying owls is that people love them, helping conservationists connect with the public about the importance of maintaining and restoring habitat. Plus, owls are just plain cool—silent flyers that hear much better than humans and can see and hunt in low light conditions.

“There are a lot of owl nuts out there,” Sturgess says. “And why not? They’re such cool birds and people like to go out and see them. If you get more people out to your sites, you get more interest in that kind of conservation.”

Great horned owl photo: ACA, Paul Jones

What are we learning?

Lisa Takats Priestley, co-founder of STRIX Ecological Consulting, took the lead on developing the protocols collaborating with other owl survey coordinators from across Canada. The owl study protocols, the same ones used by ACA biologists, have been adopted nationally and use volunteers to do roadside surveys. She says the surveys have impact and meaning that will stretch decades into the future.

“I find the connection with people is owls are hunters and we are hunters,” she says. “We tend to look for food and hunt for food, and owls tend to do that as well, so maybe that makes us feel more connected to them. Their eyes also face forward on the face making them look more human.” (compared with other birds that have eyes to the sides of their heads).

Takats Priestley says people know what’s on their land but learning more about owls might make a difference when it comes to preserving habitat. The presence of barred owls, for instance, is an indicator of older forests. Many owls require a large tree or big snag (dead standing trees) for a cavity large enough to nest in, and these tend to exist in older forests. The provincial government recommends forest managers monitor barred owls and set up models that will help them manage the habitat in their areas.

“We’re doing some intensive studies with barred owls, supported by the forest industry, where you can actually trap them and put on satellite transmitters, and we’ll monitor their movements to determine what kind of forest that they’re using over a whole year and then figure out what the habitat needs are.”

The work has just begun, with ACA owl surveys setting a baseline on conservation sites that will provide a comparison when replanted trees mature, wildfire areas have regrown, and more areas are restored.

“It fills this gap, this void that was there before,” Sturgess says. “If someone asks what’s on the conservation site, you could come up with a list of what could be there. But with surveys, we were there, we did go out, and this is what we found. It’s nice to have that answer instead of vague generalities, especially when we’re writing plans that affect that property in the next 10, 20, 30 years… If you never look, then you never find anything.”

To find out about volunteering for owl surveys contact Lisa Takats Priestley at lisa@strixeco.ca

Owl Species Were you here? Did you hear?

Barred owl (nocturnal) (Status: Special Concern)

Boreal owl (nocturnal)

Burrowing owl (diurnal) (Status: Endangered)

Great grey owl (nocturnal)

Great horned owl (nocturnal or crepuscular)

Long-eared owl (nocturnal)

Northern hawk owl (diurnal)

Northern pygmy owl (diurnal) (Status: Undetermined)

Northern saw-whet owl (nocturnal)

Short-eared owl (diurnal) (Status: Special Concern)

Snowy owl (diurnal)

Central Alberta

Hoo hoo hoo hoo hooooouuumm (Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?)

Northern, Central and Southwestern Alberta Whistled low toots

Southern Alberta in summer (migrant) Heh heh

Northern and Central Alberta

Throughout Alberta

Throughout Alberta

Northern and Central Alberta

Southwestern Alberta

Central to Southern Alberta (range up to Fort McMurray and Slave Lake)

Whoooo woo woo (very low decibel)

Hoo hoo hoooo hoooo (Who’s awake? Me too!)

Hoooooo hooooo (Single hoots, repeated slowly)

Popping whistles up to six seconds long

Tin-whistled slow toot

A sped-up version of a truck’s backup beeper or a saw getting sharpened on stone (hence its name)

Throughout Alberta (nomadic) High-pitched, cat-like reow

Throughout Alberta in winter

Coarse hoo hoo: More commonly seen than heard as they are only here in winter

Stocking Walleye in Alberta

► by Janine Higgins

Many an angler have made memories reeling in a walleye. Maybe it was alongside an old friend or watching an eager young angler, or simply by themselves enjoying the solitude of a favourite fishing spot. As one of the most coveted species in Alberta, walleye require more active management to ensure sustainable populations for future generations. This includes special harvest licences, where opportunities are provided at waterbodies that would otherwise be designated catch and release, slot and minimum size limits, and walleye stocking.

Walleye Stocking Program

Restarted in 2021

Walleye stocking was used in Alberta from the 1980s to the early 2000s to re-establish collapsed or extinct populations, and to create new self-sustaining populations in lakes and reservoirs. In contrast, the primary goal of the current walleye stocking program is to create additional fishing and harvest opportunities. Since populations will be maintained through stocking, stringent regulations will not be necessary at these new fisheries. The catch? It will take at least four or five years before this slow-growing fish reaches a catchable size.

Harvesting Eggs at Lac Ste Anne

So how does walleye stocking occur? Unlike trout stocking, there is no brood stock of walleye available at the hatchery. A spawn camp must be set up to collect eggs from a sustainable walleye population that will be hatched in a fish hatchery. Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) staff set up live traps in Lac Ste Anne just as ice comes off the lake. Fish are funneled towards submerged, cone-shaped traps. These are checked every morning and the fish sorted, with non-target species such as burbot and suckers returned to the lake. Adult walleye are placed in temporary holding pens just off of shore. Female and male walleye are then brought into a tent onshore where the eggs and milt are collected. The walleye are then safely released back into the lake where they will spawn again next year. Once collected, the eggs and milt are carefully mixed to prevent damage to the fragile eggs. The fertilized eggs are then placed in large jars called upwellers that gently flush water through the eggs to keep them oxygenated while the eggs absorb

It’s important to note that the fish population in Lac Ste Anne won’t be impacted by these activities. Egg survival rates in the wild are much lower than in the hatchery and only a few walleye are needed to collect enough eggs for the program. Over 5.6 million eggs were collected from 188 female walleyes in 2022, out of a population of over 20,000 mature female walleye in Lac Ste. Anne.

Cold Lake Fish Hatchery

Once hardened, the eggs are transported to the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery where they are counted to determine the approximate number and placed back into upwellers for the next few weeks. Once the eggs start hatching, it is a race to get them to their final destinations at lakes and reservoirs throughout the province. Walleye are voracious and if left in the hatchery they will eat each other, resulting in lower success rates and ultimately less fish for anglers. In 2022, walleye were stocked in lakes and reservoirs including Burnstick, Chin, Keho, Newell, and Sylvan lakes; Lac Bellevue; Brazeau Canal; and Forty Mile Coulee, Little Bow, McGregor, Milk River Ridge, Stafford, St. Mary, Sauder (Rattlesnake), Twin Valley, and Travers reservoirs. Check the stocking report on MyWildAlberta.ca to see where this year’s fish end up.

Before stocking any fish, fisheries biologists consider the current fish community, and whether stocking can potentially supplement existing walleye

The primary goal of the current walleye stocking program is to create additional fishing and harvest opportunities.

populations that lack productivity due to other limitations such as irrigation, as well as the genetic integrity of fish populations. Alberta’s Fish Disease Lab tests for diseases and all equipment is disinfected between waterbodies to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species.

It is important to remember that moving any fish between waterbodies without authorization is illegal and often harmful. Leave stocking to the experts! If you want an insider’s look on what AEP is up to, follow “My Wild Alberta” Facebook or visit mywildalberta.ca.

PHOTOS:

Opposite: Walleye eggs being stored at Cold Lake Fish Hatchery.

Top: Walleye fry, approximately the size of an eyelash, being netted and stocked into a lake.

Bottom left: Walleye eggs and milt being carefully stirred with a feather to prevent clumping.

Bottom right: Fish being collected in live traps; Ripe male and female walleye are collected, with the other species being returned to the lake.

credit: Alberta Environment and Parks

„ You don’t need special equipment to hunt upland game birds—some hiking boots, cargo-type pants, a windbreaker, and ball cap should be adequate. You’ll need a day pack to carry a lunch, snacks, water, and hopefully a few grouse.

„ As for what gun to use, when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time hunting blue grouse, ruffed grouse, and spruce grouse in the Crowsnest Pass area. I hunted with a .22-calibre rifle, taking head shots so as not to waste any meat.

Upland Game Bird Hunting for Seniors

„ These days I use a short-barrelled, lightweight 20-gauge shotgun that is easy to pack for a long day in the field. Shotguns have different types of chokes, which improve cylinder variety. I find a wide pattern with #7-½ size shot ideal for close shots at upland game birds. For pheasants, I’ll generally use #6 size shot.

„ For Merriam’s Turkeys I use a 12-gauge shotgun with a full choke (tight pattern) with a special load for these large birds, the idea being to target their heads.

„ Many upland game bird hunters use a lightweight .410-bore shotgun for potting grouse on the ground.

► article and photos by Duane Radford

Upland game bird hunting is certainly a doable activity for seniors, unless they have serious mobility issues. Over the past few years, I have confined my upland game bird hunting to ruffed grouse in the aspen parkland simply because of convenience.

Personally, I generally start hunting grouse after the leaves fall off aspens as it’s hard to get a clear shot otherwise. I’ll walk backcountry trails and the edge of aspen stands, searching out birds feeding on clover. A few years ago, I had my daily limit of five ruffed grouse before noon the first day when they were near the peak of their cycle.

That season I easily took my possession limit of a dozen grouse. But more importantly, I enjoyed walking in the parkland, the quiet and solitude, seeing other wildlife, stumbling onto shed moose antlers, and just getting out of the house. The physical exercise didn’t hurt either. I likely walked over 75 kilometres, which helped keep my weight down and aided my circulatory and respiratory systems. Plus, my wife and I enjoyed several tasty meals of fully organic grouse—including delicious new recipes like Alberta jambalaya, Cajun grouse, grouse with garlic and rosemary, Moroccan spiced grouse breasts, and salsa grouse.

A Range of Upland Game Birds

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have hunted all species of Alberta’s upland game birds, including blue grouse, grey partridge, Merriam’s turkey, ptarmigan, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, spruce grouse, and even sage grouse when there used to be a season for them. Upland game birds can be found throughout Alberta so there’s probably a hunting opportunity near you. Hunting Merriam’s turkeys requires a special licence and you must enter a draw for the May hunting season.

While opening dates vary, the season on all species except sage grouse (subject to a closed season) usually starts September 1 and for some species doesn’t end until January 15. Be sure to confirm the season details in your copy of the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations or online at www.albertaregulations.ca/huntingregs/.

Senior Hunting Licence Discounts

Back in 2018, the Alberta government announced senior hunting licences discounts. A combination wildlife certificate and bird game permit is now $8.30 for seniors, compared to the former cost of $44.02, making it very affordable for them to hunt upland game birds. Keep in mind that firsttime hunters must be qualified to purchase a hunting licence as per the regulations.

All hunters in Alberta require a WiN card (Wildlife Identification Number), wildlife certificate, valid game bird licence, and if you intend to hunt pheasants you’ll also need the special pheasant licence.

Taber Pheasant Festival

Newbies who want to get familiar with pheasant hunting should consider taking part in the annual Taber Pheasant Festival (October 15-22, 2022), Canada’s largest hunting festival.

If you haven’t heard of Taber Pheasant Festival, you’ll want to check out Canada’s largest hunting festival this October to celebrate its 12th anniversary. Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) President and CEO, Todd Zimmerling, says,“The first weekend is the novice shoot, where new pheasant hunters come to a central location where they are

provided instruction from Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA) officials and then walk out into a field with a mentor to shoot their first bird.”

Festival officials also provide information on how to clean the birds as well as provide a lunch that generally includes pheasant. The rest of the week consists of the regular hunts, where 40 different locations have pheasants released on a daily basis. If you are fortunate enough to be drawn for one of these locations, you and three other hunters will get exclusive access for a morning or afternoon hunt. In addition, there’s a scotch-tasting night, a culinary event featuring pheasant, and a celebration dinner.

You’ll find seniors participating in all facets of the Festival, including both the novice and regular hunts, volunteering at the registration desk or with the dinner, or in helping to release birds. “We had a 76-year-old man who had never hunted pheasant before come out with his grandson,” Zimmerling added. “And they both shot their first pheasants. For the regular hunts, we have lots of seniors involved.” Check out how to participate at ab-conservation.com/events/taber-pheasantfestival/about

A Catch to Remember

► by Gwyneth Ozar

“You want to try?” He asked, holding out the rod.

“Yes please!” I took the fishing rod and clambered down the shore. Pebbles crunched under my feet and loose stones scrambled away from me. The roar of the water thundered in my ears. Crystal clear and breathtakingly gorgeous, churning and sucking endlessly, driftwood and debris being swirled downstream by the powerful current. The shore was a misshapen tumble of sandy-coloured rocks, and a steep wall of dirt loomed beyond. On the road above the wall, the roar of the cars was drowned out by the endless rushing of the creek. The silhouettes of scraggly pine trees stabbed at the sky. I took it all in, my mind as clear as the water.

I was out on a day trip with some family friends. My friend, Siara, crouched by the water’s edge, her line drifting into the water; her mother, Elmira, standing nearby, preparing her cell phone camera; and her father, Lance, beside me, showing me how to cast.

“All right, you’re going to cast your rod right over there,” Lance directed me. “Let it sink and it’ll drift that way. Now wait for a moment. Pull it out if it starts to drift too far under that fallen tree. We don’t want to lose a hook.”

I nodded eagerly and cast the line. Plunk! It hit the water a few inches away from where I wanted it.

I reeled in and tried again. After a couple tries, the hook finally landed in the right spot. I waited and watched it disappear under the

The First of Many Fish Tales

Hi there! My name is Gwyneth and I’m 12 years old. On a recent vacation to the Shuswaps, I went on a day trip with my good friend, Siara, and her parents. I didn’t expect to fish when we arrived, but I’m so glad I gave it a try! It was a great learning experience. I now know how to cast a rod and what to do when you catch a fish. I was a little nervous to hold the fish, but it wasn’t bad at all—just a little slimy. During the trip I caught two rainbow trout, and Siara caught a rainbow trout and a mountain whitefish.

I’ll never forget this trip and catching my first

It was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to fish

fish.

again!

“Quickly, flick the rod to set the hook in his mouth!” Lance instructed, and I jerked the rod to the side. “Reel it in!” He called. I began twisting the lever as fast as I could. Yes! I caught my first fish! Lance brandished a small net and scooped up the fish. He let it sit in the water, and I bounded over. He was removing the hook from the fish’s jaw. Sunlight glistened on its dripping scales. “It’s a rainbow trout.” He told me. I grinned, admiring the small speckles on

Elmira crouched beside us. “Smile for the camera!” She told us. “Here, want to hold it?” Lance asked. “Uh,” I glanced down at the fish. It thrashed around in his hand, jerking and twitching. “Sure, I guess…” I leaned over and seized my catch, careful to hold it over the net. Its slimy body writhed in my grip, and I winced. I adjusted my hold, but it flailed suddenly and I dropped it back into the net. “How about I just hold it?” Lance suggested. I

Laughing, I beamed at the camera and flashed a thumb’s up. Elmira took several photos and then we carefully nudged the fish back into the water. It dove into the shallows and disappeared in the murky deep with an irritated flick of its tail.

I can’t believe it! My very first fish! This is definitely

photo credits: Elmira Olson

The Alberta Invasive Species Council wants you to ‘Squeal’ on Pigs!

► by Megan Evans

310-FARM

Help us change the trajectory of growing wild boar at large populations in Alberta. Learn to identify signs of wild boar (visit abinvasives.ca/squeal-on-pigs/ for photos of tracks, scat, trailing, and damage) and report them to your local municipal office, or call 310-FARM, email AF.wildboar@gov.ab.ca, or use the EDDMapS app. All reports are sent to the Wild Boar at Large Control Team for follow-up.

Wild boar (also known as feral pigs) are considered to be one of the most damaging invasive species in North America, and their populations in Canada are increasing.

The Root of the Problem

Wild boar were introduced to the Prairies in the 1980s and '90s when producers were encouraged to start farming them for meat. In order to make the animals more suitable as livestock, Eurasian wild boar were bred with domestic hogs. This resulted in a hybrid with the smarts of a wild animal and the reproductive capacity of a livestock species. Over time, some of these animals escaped their enclosures while others were intentionally released because farming wild boar proved difficult and there was little demand for the product.

There are several key characteristics that make wild boar the ultimate invasive species. They have a high reproductive rate (an average of six piglets per litter and a 115-day gestation period), ability to disperse over large distances, lack of effective predators, omnivorous diet, and high intelligence. They also pose a serious risk to Alberta’s economy and environment.

What’s the Pig Deal?

Wild boar at large damage crops through trampling and turning over plants in search of tubers and grubs. They can destroy riparian areas and contaminate waterbodies by wallowing around in the mud to cool off. They also pose risk to grassland nesting birds, they get into stored livestock feed, and can predate both young livestock and wildlife. However, the most severe risk associated with this invasive species is the threat of disease transfer to domestic livestock—which could potentially result in a closure of Alberta pork and beef exports, industries valued at $1.6 to $2.8 billion annually.

photo: Wild boar at large tracks taken from a helicopter Kevin Arychuk

Pig Out of Here

Recognizing this threat, initial control efforts were implemented. These included a bounty program, where hunters would earn $50 for a pair of wild boar ears. These efforts were later deemed ineffective and may have even exacerbated the issue. Wild boar are incredibly smart and when one or two are hunted from a larger group, the remaining boar quickly learn to evade future hunting efforts by dispersing, developing nocturnal behaviour, and becoming especially wary of human presence. While recreational hunting may be appealing to many hunters, it can actually make the animals more challenging to manage in the future. Therefore, recreational hunting of wild boar at large should be discouraged.

In response, Alberta Pork collaborated with Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development to establish the Wild Boar Control Program, which

involves coordinated and strategic removal of entire groups of wild boar at large called sounders. Wild boar are tracked using trail cameras, drones, reports from the public, and even wild boar sniffing dogs from the Alberta Environment and Parks Conservation K-9 Team! Corral traps are then set up in areas where sounders are identified. Technicians remotely monitor the traps and when all the individuals are inside, the gate is swiftly dropped.

Where the Wild Boars Are

Most of wild boar at large in Canada are found within the three prairie provinces, and the majority of those are in Saskatchewan. In Alberta, most wild boar at large reports are in central Alberta, just northwest of Edmonton. The parkland habitat is ideal for them as it provides food through crops, forest cover for hiding,

and riparian areas with access to water for cooling down in. However, it is likely that wild boar could survive in any of Alberta’s natural regions.

It is important to note that the Canadian introduction of wild boar is separate and much more recent than the American introduction. Eurasian wild boar were introduced to the United States in the 1600s when early settlers brought them as livestock. Fast-forward to 2022, Texas Parks and Wildlife estimates 7 million wild boar are spread over 35 states, and the USDA National Wildlife Research Center estimates the cost to the United States economy is $2.5 billion per year.

Photos:

Wild boar scat (left)

Karen Wickerson, Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development

Wild boar at large wallowing damage (centre)

Alberta Wild Boar at Large Control Program

Wild boar at large rooting in hayfield (right)

Alberta Wild Boar at Large Control Program

Chasing Rainbows in Your Backyard

► by Andrew Clough

Thinking about trout fishing in Alberta often invokes images of high mountain lakes, crystal clear glacier-fed rivers, and the spring creeks of the foothills. To many, the landscapes that trout inhabit are simply unreachable by day trip. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get your trout fix. In and around many of Alberta’s small towns you can find a stocked pond with ready to catch trout.

One of the biggest benefits of these ponds is the amenities. You'll find playgrounds, spray parks, hiking trails, bathrooms, camping, hiking, dog parks, and even food services nearby. Next time you need a break while on the road, or just want to get away for the day, check out one of great ponds around the province.

There are a lot of hidden gems around Alberta, so start planning your next road trip. Use the new Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) stocked lakes map at ab-conservation.com/programs/fish/ aca-stocked-lakes/ to find a quiet place, all to yourself. Make sure to check the fishing regulations for catch limits and seasonal closures, and that you have an up-to-date fishing licence.

Fort Lions Community Fish Pond

photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes

Taber Trout Pond – First stocked in 2018, this has quickly become a great little fishery and a fun place to spend the day with the family. You’ll find a dock, walking trails, bathrooms, camping, and even a beach. It’s stocked annually with rainbow trout and is also home to a healthy perch population.

Emerson Lake - Located right in High River, you’ll find clean clear water, good fishing for rainbow and brown trout, a walking path around the lake, and a shoreline that is very fly-fishing friendly.

Mitford Pond – This beautiful spot overlooks the Bow River in Cochrane. The two small ponds are connected by a stream and are perfect for bringing the kids for their first fish. There are soccer fields, walking paths, and a fishing dock. Despite its small size, big rainbow and brown trout have been caught here.

Mitchell Pond – Road tripping on the QEII Highway and need a break? A short hike brings you to this beautiful pond located in Red Deer’s Waskasoo Park. Named for the late Barry Mitchell, a legend in the Alberta fishing community and author of Alberta’s Trout Highway. Walking paths and a bridge out to the island makes for great shore fishing for rainbow trout. You’re also close to the banks of the Red Deer River if you wish to try your hand fishing moving water.

Boulder Lake – Located outside of Blackfalds, just off the QEII, you’ll find our newest pond. Boulder Lake features clean, clear water and is stocked with both tiger and rainbow trout. Thanks to a generous donation, this pond was first stocked and opened to the public in early 2021 and the fishery is doing quite well in its short tenure. Future upgrades to the property are in the works.

Len Thompson Pond – A must see for every Albertan, this pond is located right next to the Len Thompson lure factory in Lacombe, it features the world’s largest fishing lure. Make a day of it and take a tour of the factory, check out historic main street, then grab some lunch at one of the great restaurants in town.

Don Sparrow Lake – This nice little pond is located right in Beaumont. It features fishing for both brown and rainbow trout, a spray park, paved walking paths, picnic tables, and bathrooms.

Telegraph Park Pond – You'll find this well-maintained pond just outside the village of Hay Lakes. There is great shore fishing, an outhouse, and walking trails. The pond is stocked annually with brook, brown, and rainbow trout. With the good winter survival rates, some larger fish can be caught here.

Fort Lions Community Fish Pond –

Right in Fort Saskatchewan, this pond is stocked with brown, rainbow, and tiger trout, with recent reports of big fish being caught. You’ll also find walking trails along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and through an interpretive forest.

Bud Miller All Seasons Park Lake –You’ll find lots to do at this pond located in Lloydminster. In addition to catching some rainbows, you can enjoy the walking paths, playgrounds, spray park, tennis courts, amphitheatre, disc golf, fire pits, concession stand, aquatic centre, outdoor gardens, and even a hedge maze. It’s a great place to spend the whole day with the family, any time of year!

Trying to introduce fishing to kids and don’t know where to start? Keep an eye out for local Kids Can Catch events. The events are hosted yearly and provide everything they’ll need to get started. Check out ab-conservation. com/events/kids-can-catch/ for more details.

If you’re interested in setting up a Kids Can Catch event in your community, please contact Ken Kranrod at ken.kranrod@ab-conservation.com.

County Sportsplex Fish Pond – As the name suggests, this pond is located next to the Crosslink County Sportsplex in Clairmont with its skating rinks, soccer fields, and baseball diamonds. The two fishing docks and walking path around the pond are perfect for catching a few trout while killing time between your kids’ games.

Cecil Thompson Pond – This pond is right outside of Peace River. The ACA aerates this pond through the winter to help with survival. There is also a playground and bouncy inflatable mat for the kids.

Taber Trout Pond

photo: ACA, Ken Kranrod

Cecil Thompson Pond photo: ACA, Dave Jackson

Fort Lions Community Fish Pond photo: ACA, Charmaine Brunes

Through Len’s Lens

► article by Ariana Tourneur photos by ACA, Tyler Johns

Deeply engrained in Pheasants Forever (he’s habitat chair and past chapter chair), devoted conservationist Len Hanson has also worked as Alberta Conservation Association’s (ACA) right-hand man, scouting pheasant release sites and land with the potential to become conservation sites. With his eyes and ears on habitat securement for over 25 years, he’s made a mark that simply can’t be quantified.

“Achieve success by being willing to help somebody else get it first.” - Iyanla

Vanzant

Len Hanson has viewed conservation this way since 1978, when he joined an Alberta Fish & Game Association (AFGA)-affiliated club (he’s been a member ever since). Helping raise and release pheasants was his first conservation challenge, but in time he realized it was a non-productive method in trying to improve the local population of pheasants. That’s when everything changed.

The best part? “Once secured, they belong to all Albertans forever,” he says.

“I found that Pheasants Forever’s philosophy of habitat securement and enhancement was more in line with what I thought and believed,” says Hanson. Speaking with Hanson quickly reveals the practice of habitat securement is what has driven him to do what he does—every scouting mile, every phone call, every funding dollar.

“Once the land has been purchased it remains open to the public in perpetuity,” says Hanson. “Plus, any improvements done on these properties to enhance habitat is usually not altered or removed—but is further improved. These improvements can be achieved through rotational grazing, shelterbelt planting, food plot planting, and wetlands development.”

Pheasants Forever’s habitat philosophies are in natural alignment with ACA’s goals, and it was in 2008 when Hanson had the opportunity to make this connection. “I remember ACA made a presentation at one of Chinook’s Pheasants Forever meetings, asking for financial support for the East Hays securement. After, a group of our executive drove to the site and walked the property. Liking what we saw, we partnered in the purchase and have been greatly impressed with the improvements ACA has performed on the property.”

From there, the partnership blossomed.

“At Chinook’s meetings, we discuss possible habitat work in which we could partner with ACA—I’m the liaison between the two,” says Hanson.

Whether the work is on ACA properties or other land ACA manages that the public has access to, Pheasants Forever can provide funding to purchase materials required to enhance wildlife habitat on those properties.

Hanson’s ACA connection has solidified over time as he works closely with the Lethbridge staff in discussing upcoming projects. “They provide encouragement and support in my efforts to secure grant funds

to help with these projects,” says Hanson. “Through and through, it’s a team effort.”

From funding to management to collaboration, Hanson’s capabilities are tapped into on the regular. But one that has really enhanced ACA’s work are his scouting skills. He combs the landscape for parcels that are available to purchase—which in turn can become a long-term project to partner on.

“I hope my impact working with ACA results in a stabilization or an increase in the numbers of wildlife through permanent habitat improvements on these properties,” he says. It sounds scientific, but it’s truly a tangible, human impact—benefits that future generations will get to see and experience.

But the greatest impact of all? “That’s got to be the relationship between ACA and Pheasants Forever, and the continued cooperation between the two groups,” says Hanson. “I think the future of conservation is collaboration—specifically, between groups and communities that may be used to operating separately. When we can link together projects, groups, or conversations, we are driving the conservation efforts and impact further than ever before.”

As Hanson contemplates the future, he mentions winding down his conservation activities and shifting more of his focus to family, especially his granddaughters. “I’m slowing down but will always be here to support the next group of conservationists who wish to make their mark.”

REPORT A POACHER

In 2021, fish and wildlife officers were able to solve several cases with help from the public. Here is one of those cases.

SOLVED CASE: Athabasca

Fish

and wildlife

officers recently concluded an investigation that resulted in $12,000 in fines.

On November 18, 2018, Athabasca fish and wildlife officers received a report of a moose that was illegally shot. When the moose was recovered, it was found to be still alive, but it was left to die on its own and none of the meat was salvaged.

Upon investigation, fish and wildlife officers determined that between November 7 and 18, 2018, an unlicensed, non-resident alien hunter had shot a moose. It was an antlerless moose, for which there was no open season. The hunter was with Michael BJORNSON, who was allowing him to use his tag. Emerson ROSE, one of the hunter-hosts, directed the party to abandon the moose, leaving it to die and be scavenged.

Witnesses also confirmed that ROSE arranged it so the non-resident alien hunter could use BJORNSON’s antlered moose tag. They also told officers that ROSE directed another non-resident alien hunter to shoot a mule deer, which was illegal because the hunter was not licenced for this, and that ROSE filed a false activity report for his hunter-host activities from that season.

On March 9, 2020, Michael BJORNSON was found guilty of abandoning edible flesh of a big game and of allowing another person to use his licence. He was fined $2,750 along with a 1-year recreational hunting licence suspension.

On March 15, 2021, Emerson ROSE was found guilty of using the licence of another person, allowing another person to use his licence, unlawfully abandoning edible flesh of a big game animal, hunting wildlife without a licence and failing to submit a report about hunting activities of a non-resident alien hunter. He was given a penalty of $9,250 along with a 3-year court order prohibiting him from:

• obtaining recreational hunting licences

• obtaining any outfitter-guide’s permit, guide’s designation, or hunterhost licence

• accompanying any person in any manner who is hunting, guiding, or outfitting for wildlife in Alberta

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Report A Poacher by phone at 1-800-642-3800 or online at www.alberta.ca/report-poacher.aspx. All reporters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for an award.

REPORT A POACHER NOW. CALL TOLL-FREE OR REPORT ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

All calls are kept strictly confidential, and the information you provide can lead to an arrest, fines, and jail time. The Report A Poacher program is delivered in joint partnership between Alberta Justice and Solicitor General and Alberta Conservation Association.

Harvest Your Own Black Bear

► article and photos by Josh

Glover

Whether you’re excited to go after your first bear, or you’re a seasoned hunter looking for a hunt of a lifetime, have you thought about eating the meat if you’re successful in your hunt?

Maybe you’ve heard some rumblings that the meat is indeed good. While others scoff at the idea due to some unexplainable stigma attached to it like flies to honey. The early settlers of the west would likely look at you like you had ten heads if you told them you were only interested in keeping the hide. Bears were the whales of the prairies. Their meat and fat were used for everything from leather conditioning, heating, baking, and above all, eating. Bear meat was a staple for trappers, loggers, and hunters in the deep backwoods where goods and services were few and far between. Unfortunately, like

Honey Garlic

Five-spice Black Bear Meatballs

many animal resources in those times, it was just that, a resource.

By the early 1900s, bear populations disappeared from much of their historical range. It wasn’t until we saw the birth of the North American model of conservation did these beautiful creatures get a chance to bounce back.

Today, according to www.fur.ca, bear numbers are in the ballpark of 900,000 in North America. Healthy populations mean healthy harvest numbers, which means a very sustainable, nutritious, organic, and delicious meat to be had.

I started hunting bears only a few years ago and was immediately hooked. Whether you plan to hunt over bait, or do a spot and stalk hunt in the foothills, and I’ve done both, bears are there for the taking. Tags are generous in

Ingredients

Honey Garlic Sauce

• 1 cup honey

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1 tbsp. or 3 cloves minced garlic

Meatballs

• 2 lbs. bear meat, ground and chilled (I use a 25% pork grind)

• 1 tsp. ground black pepper

• 3 tsp. salt

• 2 tbsp. flour

• 2/3 cup rolled oats

• 1 tsp five-spice powder

• 2 tsp or 2 cloves minced garlic

Optional: 2 cups broccoli florets; add to dish before placing in oven

Method

Honey Garlic Sauce

Put all the ingredients in a saucepan and simmer on the stove while you are making the meatballs. This helps it reduce and get that sticky consistency before you add it to your dish. Careful as it will boil over very quickly, usually when you’re not looking.

Alberta and, if you’re doing the latter type of hunt, you need very little other than a good pair of boots and your projectile of choice.

People ask all the time, “What does bear meat taste like?” I try to liken it to something that resembles a pork-tasting beef. The truth is bear is a protein all on its own. It’s something you can substitute for pork or beef, but I will caution you against using it like beef. Bear should always be cooked to an internal temperature of over 160º F (71º C) due to the risk of trichinosis (also known as trichinellosis). So, if you are using bear in place of beef, know that you should cook it to well-done. If you feel inclined to have the meat tested first, you’ll have to do some research. I do not test my bear meat, as cooking it to 160°F makes it safe—and the meat will still be tender and juicy if cooked properly.

Meatballs

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Add all your ingredients in a large bowl. Glove up and mix by hand for two minutes or until mixture is very tacky. Form balls roughly 1.5 ounces each, or an inch in diameter. Throw them from hand to hand to firm them up—this helps them stick together.

Add lots of butter to a deep-sided dish or pan, and heat on the stove at mediumhigh. Once your butter starts to brown, add a few meatballs at a time, browning them all around. Roll them around as they brown so they don’t flatten on one side. If they are a little square, no worries, they’ll still taste fantastic!

Once the meatballs are seared, place the meatballs and sauce in an oven-safe pan and cook uncovered in the oven for 15–20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71º C).

Serve with fried rice, along with other Asian-inspired favourites from www.harvestyourown.ca/get-cooking.

PREP: 30M | COOK: 35-30M | TOTAL: 1H | SERVINGS: 6

1 SERVING: 462 Calories; 48 g Carbohydrate; 13 g Total Fat; 32 g Protein

Pro tip! Fry a pinch of your meat mixture first and try it to make sure the spices are to your liking. If not, adjust in small increments.

The Missed Shot

► by Dr. Lee Foote

Have you ever seen the water bulge as a shockingly large fish rolls your fly out of sight then gives a mighty tug that sickeningly pops your line? Maybe you've sent an arrow thunking harmlessly into the only tree between you and a motionless white-tailed deer? Possibly you had the photo of a lifetime framed in your viewfinder as a black bear scooped her cub out of a stream only to have the camera display “Dead Battery”?

Disappointment is good

We’ve all had these disappointments. Yet, in that moment, you ARE alone with your thoughts and perhaps some choice words. There is no one else to blame so we have to own them. Believe it or not, these are good things. The life lessons embedded in our psyches from interacting with nature are possibly more valuable than any fish, deer, or photo. These are the moments when the fleeting uncertainty of life is reinforced and by facing our own imperfections, we come to appreciate our productive hunts even more fully. How we deal with our missed shots speaks volumes about our character.

Do we beat ourselves up or do we laugh at our mistakes? Did we learn anything that will make us a better outdoorsperson or even a better human being?

It’s asking a lot of hunting/fishing/photography to burnish our character, but it happens. We become more committed to the next success, like repeated failed pulls on a slot machine or scratches of a lotto ticket, our determination and commitment to the richness of conservation grows. We are all in this together with the trout, deer, and bear. Both us and our quarry depend on the very habitat in which they live and we recreate, and therefore we have a vested interest in conservation.

The next shot will be better

We’ve all heard that the early bird gets the worm, but it’s also true that sometimes the second mouse gets the cheese. That missed strike, shot, or shutter release almost certainly sets up the next successful cast, shot, or click— one that will be much more appreciated. Ironically, it's possible to suffer from too much success and that leads to unrealistic expectations, entitlement, and boredom. Remember, a trout fisherman’s hell is a three-pound trout on every cast. No uncertainty, no skill matching, no doubt—such fishing would become

yawn-worthy in short order. It seems we need the risk of failure to underpin our successes. Uncertainty and imagination are the teammates of hope.

Our missed opportunities become moments burned into our minds of what NOT to do in the future. What do we actually learn from the perfect shot or cast? We may never know if it was luck or skill. What would we change about ourselves or our future behaviour? Might we gloat just a little? Brag about our skill and woodcraft as we showed off our fish, photo, or antlers to make our buddies a little jealous? Of course we would! Think

about that gloating, bragging, showing off, and jealousy—are those really the virtues and attributes of the better self we want to become? Someone who wins all the time eventually loses all their friends.

Celebrate those in-between moments

Legendary bluesman B.B. King observed that much of blues music is not about the notes themselves, rather, the silence between the notes. This could be why silence-filled outdoor time between heart-thundering wildlife music makes both sweeter.

Wild value is the surprise gift that nature delivers to those who wait and endure the space between notes. We celebrate our interactions through story, reflection, wonderment, and admiration for our quarry, even when we bring nothing home. Our quarry often has an excellent chance of “winning” these contests with escape, so our missed experiences become our consolation prize. Value it!

You can help improve biologists’ knowledge of Alberta’s harvestable species by voluntarily participating in ABHuntLog — a new feature in the iHunter app that gives you a personal dashboard.

• Log observations and harvests

• Plan future hunts and draws

• Contribute to trackable trends in wildlife populations in WMUs

• Promote the value of hunting to Alberta’s economy

For more information visit ABHuntLog.ca