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Advisories, Corrections and Closures

Corrections

Mule Deer (Archery – Antlered)

  • The proposed transition of 17 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) from general archery to draw will not be implemented for 2026.
  • The following WMUs will remain as General Licenses for archery seasons for Antlered Mule Deer: 102, 119, 124, 148, 150, 152, 158, 160, 163, 244, 246, 310, 312, 334, 406, 420, and 507.
  • There will be no change reflected in RELM as these seasons do not use a separate archery draw code.
  • If you intend to hunt antlered mule deer in any of these units exclusively in the archery season, DO NOT apply for the Antlered Mule Deer Draw in the designated WMUs.

Elk (Antlered)

  • The proposed implementation of antlered elk draws in WMUs 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, and 308 will not be implemented the 2026 RELM draw. These units will remain general for both archery and rifle seasons in 2026.
  • Antlered elk hunting in these WMUs will remain consistent with 2025 regulations for the 2026 season.

Elk (Antlerless)

  • In the drawbook, the archery season for antlerless elk in WMUs 302-308 was inadvertently left out (page 55).
  • The archery season for antlerless elk in WMUs 302-308 is September 1 – October 24.

Bison

  • The resident bison draw now consists of two seasons November 15 – December 31, and January 10 – February 28.
  • Drawn applicants may not reapply in future years.
  • The licence price (GST not included) is $185.

Moose Partner Licences for Non-residents (Canadians)

  • Non-residents are not eligible for partner licences for antlered moose.

CFB Suffield Elk Hunt Information

  • The season dates are the following:
    • November 18 – 20, 2026 (Wednesday – Friday)
    • November 26 – 28, 2026 (Thursday – Saturday)
    • January 13 – 15, 2027 (Wednesday – Friday)
    • January 21 – 23, 2027 (Thursday – Saturday)

Please note that the Hunting Draws open for applications on Tuesday, June 2, and we ask that you are mindful of the changes when planning your hunting season.

Area Closures

There are no hunting-specific closures at this time.

Check other area closures and advisories before heading out:

Alberta Hunting Advisories

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Areas Affected

This advisory applies to the Canadian Forces Base Suffield in southeast Alberta.

Advisory

CFB Suffield has changed its access policy. Hunters under 18 years of age who have successfully drawn for a special elk hunting licence will not be able to participate. For details, see:

CFB Suffield Elk Hunt

Wood Bison Status Changes and New Bison Protection Areas

In November 2021, the Wildlife Regulation was amended to designate wood bison as Threatened in specified Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) in northern Alberta. This designation protects wood bison from hunting in the specified WMUs by people other than those with Indigenous-specific hunting rights such as Treaty rights. That is, unless a licence is issued under the regulation specifically to enable hunting.

The amendments also establish a new Wabasca Bison Protection Area. All hunting of bison in the Wabasca Bison Protection Area is now prohibited.

To learn more about the wood bison status changes, see:

Wood Bison Regulation 


Updated: Jun 2, 2026