Wood Bison Hunt - Hay-Zama
2026-27 Hunting Season
The Hay-Zama wood bison hunting season will resume for the 2026-27 season.
The annual population survey in February 2026 resulted in a minimum count of 703 bison. These results are a positive improvement from previous years surveys and bison numbers are sufficient to support reinstating a sustainable harvest this season.
Bison in Bison Hunting Zone 1 are within the Northwest Bison Protection Area and are considered Threatened under Alberta's Wildlife Act. No bison can be harvested without a licence. Read the Hay-Zama Wood Bison Hunting Season Fact Sheet to learn more.
Reasons for the Hunt
The Alberta Government first initiated a limited hunting season for the Hay-Zama bison population in 2008, when the population was nearing 700 animals. This unique hunt is designed to contain the Hay-Zama population to the Hay-Zama area and to maintain regional herd management objectives.
The bison regional herd management objectives are designed to ensure that there are enough healthy and genetically diverse adults for breeding, and ensures that bison are not forced out of the Hay-Zama range by overpopulation, which would potentially put them in contact with diseased bison to the east, in and around Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP).
There is a history of diseases – including bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis - among the WBNP and Wentzel bison populations. Testing of the Hay-Zama population has not found evidence of either of these diseases.
The hunt has the additional benefit of addressing public safety concerns in the area, particularly in the communities of Chateh and Zama where there have been vehicle collisions with bison. Controlling the population size helps minimize the risk of these encounters.
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Indigenous Hunter Applications
Applications for the 2026-27 Hay-Zama Bison hunt must be filled out in person at the High level Government of Alberta office.
Applications will be accepted from September 14, 2026 to October 9, 2026.
Individuals must be a resident of Alberta, and hold valid treaty status, or Métis harvesting rights for Area A.
Applicants are required to provide their name, address, Band/Community affiliation, Status Number or Métis Harvester Number, phone number and email address.
Successful applicants will be notified starting on October 14, 2026.
Non-Indigenous Hunters Applications
Resident hunters were eligible to apply for a Resident Bison Special Licence in Bison Hunting Zone 1 from Tuesday June 2, to Thursday, June 25, 2026 using the draw process. The price is $6.00 (GST not included) per application. Applicants must apply individually; group applications are not valid for this draw. There will be two bison hunting seasons running from November 15, 2026 to December 31, 2026, and January 10, 2027 to February 28, 2027. Previously drawn applicants are not allowed to apply in the Resident Bison draw. Being drawn is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Updated: Aug 27, 2026