Suffield elk hunt: ammunition and accusations

The big game hunters of Alberta are blessed with many unique wildlife hunting opportunities, and the elk hunt on the Suffield military base is no exception.

Dan Idenbosch is one of over 17,000 hunters who applied to help thin the massive 6,500-8,000 strong herd. The winners of the lottery would be given a license with two tags, allowing hunters to harvest two antlerless elk.

“I was excited for a chance to get a little more elk meat,” said Idenbosch. “We like meat in general, and beef isn’t exactly cheap these days.”

While the chosen applicants will be able to hunt their two antlerless elk, already First Nations hunters have been hunting trophy bulls, something Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Public Affairs officer Duncan MacDonnell says is not an issue.

“They can shoot the bull elk, it’s all in keeping with their Canadian constitutional rights. They’re exercising their right to hunt,” said MacDonnell.

But many online are expressing concern over how many bulls are being killed.

A petition was started calling for limits on the amount of big game animals being taken on the base. In its description, it says that a group of 6 hunters shot 37 trophy bulls in one day, though there is no source. ESRD says First Nations hunters are not limited by numbers, as they can traditionally hunt meat for others in their tribe.

Global News also received multiple emails with more serious accusations. An unnamed hunter says he witnessed another group leaving behind large amounts of usable meat. In the First Nations hunting rights and responsibilities, it is stated that allowing edible meat to be wasted, destroyed, spoiled or abandoned is against the law.

Despite the accusations, the ESRD confirmed this afternoon that their District Officer “has not seen any wastage, nor has he received any complaints of wasted meat to investigate on Suffield”.

The two hunting seasons run on the Suffield base from February 2nd-5th and February 9th-12th.