My Hunting Experience with an At'latl - November 3, 2012
On November 3, 2012 I darted this yearling buck at 8 yards. What a blast of adrenaline! My first of what I hope to be many more to come.
Hunting in Alberta with an At'latl
For a number of years I have been asking officials whether or not I could hunt in Alberta with an at'latl. I received confirmation that hunting with an at'latl was legal here in Alberta during the general season only. I have included a copy of the email I received from Karen Turpin at the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development on August 13, 2012 for those who are interested.
From: SRD.Info-Centre M
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 10:07 AM
Subject: RE: hunting regulations
Hello Robert,
Thank you for contacting the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Information Centre.
The atlatl is legal for hunting big game during "General" seasons
set out in the 2012 Hunting Regulations except as noted below; it is not valid to hunt big game or game birds with this weapon during the following hunting seasons:
- it is not lawful to hunt big game with an atlatl during archery-only big game hunting seasons;
- it is not lawful to hunt big game or game birds with an atlatl during hunting seasons or restricted areas where specific
primitive weapons must be used such as shotguns, muzzleloading firearms, archery or cross-bows. The federal Migratory Birds Regulations prohibit hunting migratory game birds with any weapon except a long bow and arrow (includes long bows, recurve bows and compound bows) or a shotgun of a guage not greater than 10 guage.
Wolf, coyote, upland game birds and non-licence animals may
otherwise be hunted with an atlatl. The future status of hunting game animals with spears in Alberta is not known.
If you have any further questions, please feel
free to contact this office.
Thank you,
Karen L. Turpin
Information Officer
Information Centre
Strategy Division
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
9920 - 108 St
Edmonton AB T5K 2M4
Ph: (780) 944 - 0313 or
Ph: (780) 422 - 2097
Toll Free: (877) 944 - 0313
Fax: (780) 427 - 4407
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 10:07 AM
Subject: RE: hunting regulations
Hello Robert,
Thank you for contacting the Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development Information Centre.
The atlatl is legal for hunting big game during "General" seasons
set out in the 2012 Hunting Regulations except as noted below; it is not valid to hunt big game or game birds with this weapon during the following hunting seasons:
- it is not lawful to hunt big game with an atlatl during archery-only big game hunting seasons;
- it is not lawful to hunt big game or game birds with an atlatl during hunting seasons or restricted areas where specific
primitive weapons must be used such as shotguns, muzzleloading firearms, archery or cross-bows. The federal Migratory Birds Regulations prohibit hunting migratory game birds with any weapon except a long bow and arrow (includes long bows, recurve bows and compound bows) or a shotgun of a guage not greater than 10 guage.
Wolf, coyote, upland game birds and non-licence animals may
otherwise be hunted with an atlatl. The future status of hunting game animals with spears in Alberta is not known.
If you have any further questions, please feel
free to contact this office.
Thank you,
Karen L. Turpin
Information Officer
Information Centre
Strategy Division
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
9920 - 108 St
Edmonton AB T5K 2M4
Ph: (780) 944 - 0313 or
Ph: (780) 422 - 2097
Toll Free: (877) 944 - 0313
Fax: (780) 427 - 4407