Hunters encouraged to draw for big game opportunities

Alberta hunters interested in draw opportunities for hunting big game, such as deer, moose and elk, can apply through the province’s annual draw system from June 1 to 25.

The 2012 Alberta Hunting Draws booklet explains the draw system and outlines the opportunities. You can view the booklet at www.albertaregulations.ca or obtain a copy at a Fish and Wildlife office or at a licence issuer. Mail out of the draw booklet to past applicants has been discontinued.

Hunters are encouraged to apply for draws online at www.albertarelm.com. Last year, over 60 per cent of draw applications were submitted online. Hunters may also apply by phone at 1-900-451-3729 (charges apply) or by visiting any of the 360 licence issuers in Alberta.


When applying for draws, please have your Wildlife Identification Number and all information ready on the species and where in Alberta you want to hunt. A touch-tone phone is required to apply by telephone because cell phones and hand-held devices cannot access 1-900 numbers. Charges are $3.83 for the first minute and $1.15 for each additional minute.

Under the draw system, more than 60,000 hunting opportunities for 26 different types of special licences are available and more than 290,000 applications are typically received annually. Draw selection is on a priority system based on a hunter’s previous draw applications. Hunters can access their draw history and draw priorities online by visiting www.albertarelm.com.

More than 100,000 Albertans enjoy hunting. It is also an important tool to help manage wildlife populations. Managing wildlife populations can help sensitive wildlife species that share the same habitat. Additionally, a portion of funds received from licences are used to fund conservation grants for education programs, research and retention and reclamation of sensitive habitat. For more information on hunting in Alberta, visit www.mywildalberta.ca.