SPECIES | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 |
Badger | CLOSED | CLOSED | D1-Ap15 | D1-Ap15 | D1-Ap15 | D1-Ap15 | D1-Ap15 | D1-M31 |
Beaver | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma31 | O15-Ma15 | O15-Ap30 | O15-Ap30 |
Bobcat | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | D1-F15 | CLOSED | N1-F28 |
Coyote | O1-F28 | O1-F28 | O1-F28 | O1-F283 | O1-F283 | O1-F283 | O1-F28 | O1-F28 |
Fisher | N1-J312&4 | N1-J312&4 | N1-J312 | N1-J312 | N1-J312 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Fox | O1-J314 | O1-J314 | O1-F28 | O1-F283 | O1-F283 | O1-F283 | O1-F28 | O1-F28 |
Lynx | D1-F152 | D1-F152 | D1-F152 | D1-F152 | D1-F152 | D1-F152 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Marten | N1-J314 | N1-J314 | N1-J312 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Mink | N1-J314 | N1-J314 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 | N1-J31 |
Muskrat | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O1-Ma15 | O15-Ma15 | O15-Ap30 | O15-Ap30 |
Otter | D1-Ma151 | D1-Ma151 | D1-Ma151 | D1-Ma151&6 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Squirrel | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 |
Weasel | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F285 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N1-F28 | N15-F145 | N15-F145 |
Wolf | O1-M31 | O1-M31 | O1-M31 | O1-M313 | O1-M313 | O1-F283&7 | O1-F28 | O1-F28 |
Wolverine | N1-J311&4 | N1-J311&4 | N1-J311 | N1-J311 | N1-J311 | N1-J311 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
ZONES | Fisher | Canada Lynx | River Otter | Wolverine | |||
Basic Limit | Increase for excess Twp* | Basic Limit | Increase for excess Twp* | Basic Limit | Increase for excess Twp* | Basic Limit | |
Zone 1 WMU 511, 512, 516-519, 529 |
10 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
Zone 1 WMU 530-532 |
10 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
Zone 2 WMU 357-359, 522-527, 534-537, 539 |
10 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Zone 2 WMU 520, 528, 540-542, 544 |
10 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
Zone 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
Zone 4 WMU 320-328, 332, 334, 429 |
3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Zone 4 WMU 330, 336-342, 348, 507, 508 |
3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Zone 4 WMU 344, 346, 347, 352 |
3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Zone 4 WMU 349, 353-356, 360, 521 |
10 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Zone 4 WMU 350, 351 |
10 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Zone 5 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Zone 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Zone 7 & 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Trappers benefit from the mandatory registration requirement because it allows for appropriate changes in quotas and seasons. Accurate data prevents the over-harvest of sensitive species of fur-bearers, ensuring a viable resource for the future (click here for registration information).
Primeness of Pelts
Furs that are at their peak in quality (their prime) offer trappers the greatest financial return. Successful trappers concentrate their efforts so that they collect most of their furs when pelts are in their prime.
The pelt of a fur-bearing animal is in its prime when the underfur is dense, deep and well covered by the longer guard hair. The leather side should be clear and white or slightly blue, and pliable. Each species reaches its prime during a short period of the season. The following table shows the approximate time of the year when each species is in its prime.
Tooth measurement criteria (mm) | ||
Measurement Type | Male | Female |
Upper canine – length | > 27.2 | < 27.2 |
Upper canine – width | > 6.75 | < 6.75 |
Lower canine – length | > 26.2 | < 26.2 |
Lower canine – width | > 6.15 | < 6.15 |
Fisher Cohort | Number of samples |
Female | 20 |
Male | 22 |
Adult | 26 |
Juvenile | 16 |
Adult Female | 11 |
Adult Male | 15 |
Juvenile Female | 9 |
Juvenile Male | 7 |
Sale of Pelts and Parts
No pelt of any fur-bearing animal, except one taken according to the regulations listed under Control of Problem Wildlife, may be wasted, destroyed or spoiled. No raw skins of fur-bearing animals may be sold to anyone who is not a fur dealer. Anyone in legal possession of a beaver harvested outside the beaver trapping season may sell the unskinned carcass of the beaver to use as bait or animal food. Except as noted under Exporting (below), it is unlawful to export from Alberta all, or any part of, the skin or pelt of a fur-bearing animal, without first obtaining a provincial Export Permit.
All parts of lawfully taken fur-bearing animals, other than the unprocessed skin, may be sold without restriction (note that black bears are not included as they are big game animals). These parts of fur-bearing animals may also be exported without a provincial export permit (note that Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna – CITES permits are required for exporting any part of a wolf, lynx, bobcat or otter across an international boundary).
Exporting
With some exceptions noted below, those wishing to export fur-bearing animals from Alberta must have a provincial export permit. These permits may be obtained from any Fish & Wildlife District Office.
Persons exporting wolf, lynx, bobcat, otter or black bear products out of Canada must also obtain a federal export permit issued according to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Information about CITES permits may be obtained at Environment Canada offices in Edmonton (780-951-8891) or Calgary (403-292-4103).
The following products* may be exported without a provincial export permit:
*The above products must have been harvested under a lawful authority in Alberta or elsewhere.
(Note: Black bear are classified as big game, not as fur-bearing animals. Most black bears taken from an RFMA require provincial export permits. For more information on export conditions for black bear, please contact the nearest Fish & Wildlife District Office. CITES permits are still required for exporting any part of a black bear, wolf, lynx, bobcat or otter across an international boundary.)
*Persons exporting fur directly to the European Union without using the services of Canadian fur auction houses, should be aware that special documents may be required. Please contact the receiving jurisdiction for applicable information.
Fisher, lynx, otter or wolverine killed by non-residents residing in or within 30 miles of Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, on a registered fur management area that is wholly situated both north of the northern boundary of Township 118 and east of Wood Buffalo National Park, do not require an Alberta provincial export permit to export such fur-bearers from Alberta.
Commercial Export of Wildlife to the United States
The United Sates Fish and Wildlife Service (US FWS) regulates commercial shipments of wildlife that enter or leave the U.S. In particular, taxidermist, trappers and outfitter-guides may experience difficulties transporting wildlife to the U.S. unless such businesses are licenced with the US FWS for transporting commercial shipments of wildlife across the U.S. border. For more information, contact the US FWS at 1-800-344-9453 or view information at: www.fws.gov
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