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 NO!!! TO PENNED SHOOTS OF ELK AND DEER EDMONTON, January 30, 2025 – The Alberta Wildlife Federation (AWF) is opposed to the concept of Cervid Harvest Preserves (CHP’s) referred to as “Hunt Farms” or “Shoot Farms” in Alberta. Recently the Alberta Agriculture Minister has decided to push forward with the legalizing of CHP’s to save what he and many game farm operators term as a “dying industry” referring to the practice of game farming. Legalization would enable game farms to sell so called “Hunts” to clients for large sums of money giving them a guaranteed shoot of a Trophy hand raised domesticated elk or deer in an escape proof, high fence enclosure called a Cervid Harvest Preserve. Some critics liken this to “Shooting fish in a barrel.” In a meeting between the AWF and Minister Sigurdson and his staff, the Minister, a hunter himself, admitted he would not participate in one of these so called “Hunts.” We were told by staff that there would be no requirement for the shooter to take the meat if the antlers and head was all they were interested in having. The meat could then be used for dog food, we were told. AWF Wildlife Chair John Clarke states, “True hunting when approached ethically fosters deep traditions, connections across generations and lasting memories tied to shared values and respect for the natural world. Harvesting an animal is viewed as a possible outcome of a meaningful experience, not the sole purpose of it.” There are no Ethics involved or any concept of Fair Chase used when shooting a domesticated big game animal in a high fenced, escape proof enclosure. The number of game farms in Alberta has dropped from a high of over 600 to 133 today. This is due to a diminished meat market and a collapsed velvet industry brought on largely by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), which is a prion disease introduced to Saskatchewan and Alberta from CWD infected game farms. CWD now has a strong grip on our wild big game populations through-out much of Alberta and Saskatchewan and has the potential to seriously affect the Province’s traditional livestock and grain industries. Previously, game farms would ship their large antlered animals to “Shoot Farms” in the USA or Saskatchewan, but that market is also shrinking and the USA has now closed its’ border to imports of these animals as of January 1st 2025. If, as the Minister stated, “Every agriculture industry matters no matter how small or large,” then maybe his Department should seriously look at closing down the whole game farming industry as other Provinces and States have done already instead of bolstering it with CHP’s and their high fence “Hunts.” The Alberta Wildlife Federation, previously known as The Alberta Fish & Game Association represents hunters, anglers and the outdoors interests of all Albertans in the wise use and conservation of our fish, wildlife and habitats. For Further Information contact: AWF Wildlife Chair John Clarke at 403-563-0904 or Committee Member Rod Dyck at 403-820-0731 |