Game Bird Outfitters???? a future possibility?

[Mikey]

CP---
REGINA -- Seven Americans, including one who shot a rare great horned owl, have been fined nearly $20,000 for breaking hunting laws in southwest Saskatchewan.


Hal Stupenoff of the Saskatchewan Outfitters Association said the crimes could have been prevented if the province moved legislation to require an outfitter for visiting bird hunters.


Not much of a story ..... But makes sense .... big game you need a at the very least a guide if you are a Non-resident .... IMO it should be the same for Birds too.

Please converse your thoughts below

[Whitetailer]

I have to disagree with you Mikey. I think that the vast majority of non resident bird hunters that come to Alberta are very well behaved. There is probably a larger percentage of resident hunters that do bad things than non residents. And thats sad :cry: . Bird hunting brings a huge influx of cash to towns like Brooks, Peace River, Hanna etc. The Sporting Goods stores, hotels, gas stations, bars etc.benefit in a huge way. The TelStar motel in brooks always puts up a "Welcome Hunters" billboard in October, and that tells the whole story right there.

The Hunter Host program was a great idea, I think it might help to extend this program so that non resident hunters must have a Resident Hunter Host. This might take some business away from some of the local guides though.

[bdoa]

Don't count your birds till their hatched guys...

It's not likely that we will see anything change as far as guiding regulations go for Migratory birds.

Because they migrate, it makes them federal game not provincial. Because they are federal property, they now fall under the free trade agreement with the us..

There is no stopping them, and no stopping the farmers and hotel owners from cashing in on all that American ca-ching.

I don't think the hunter host thing would work, because of the vast number of bird hunters that come in to Alberta each year..
There are American guys that act as guides, and bring in hundreds of other Americans to hunt birds. They are suspected of paying huge money to farmers for exclusive access.

[Mikey]

I see what yer all saying .....if Americans or British Columbians for that matter want to hunt in Alberta they will ..... Guided or not ...... I think it would do guides nothing but good .........

also the above quote is from yesterdays Calgary sun

[Grunter]

I'm with ya Mikey - IMO game birds shouldn't be treated any different that big game for non-resident hunters.

[bdoa]

I agree with that, and the entire outfitting industry in Alberta agrees with that, the problem is getting it to happen..