Camp Wainwright Ungulate Hunt

Important information for trappers: Registered Fur Management Areas (RFMAs) where open seasons exist for Wolverine, River Otter, Canada Lynx, and Fisher - Species Limits (Quotas) have been removed for the 2024/2025 trapping season, please see page 16 of the Trapping Regulations for more information.

Important information for 2024

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Fish and Wildlife Stewardship (EPA-FWS) and Forestry and Parks, Hunting and Fishing Branch (FP-HFB) work collaboratively with the Canadian military to be able to provide a unique hunting opportunity on Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright. The goal of the CFB Wainwright hunt is to provide another hunting opportunity for hunters. While there are management goals, the CFB Wainwright hunt is neither a cull nor a trophy hunt and expectations should be managed accordingly. The hunting conditions within the confines of WMUs 728 and 730 experience similar environmental and disease related impacts to ungulate populations as the surrounding WMUs.

• AEPA-FWS is responsible for monitoring wildlife populations on base.
• FP-HFB are responsible for allocating special licences for eligible resident hunters through the draw system.
• CFB Wainwright is responsible for and controls all access on the base, including the determination of access requirements.

Pre-registration for Métis and First Nations Hunters

All Métis harvesters and First Nations hunters will be required to pre-register in order to attend the hunt. Failure to pre-register will result in you being turned away at the Hunter Check Station (HCS). Pre-registration opens on October 15 and closes November 15, 2024.

To pre-register please email aep.wainwrighthunt@gov.ab.ca with the following information:

• Photo or scanned copy of your Métis harvester info or treaty card
• Once successfully registered, each harvester will receive a confirmation number that they must provide when they check-in at the HCS.

Access Requirements

Individuals accompanying hunters will be limited as follows:

General access requirements

• All persons entering the base must sign a waiver. A minor accompanying a hunter requires a minor waiver to be signed by both the parent and the minor. Please download and complete a waiver prior to your arrival at the Hunter Check Station (HCS):
  
  
  Adult waiver form – Nov 2024 (2 pages, < 1 MB) 
  Minor waiver form – Nov 2024 (2 pages, < 1 MB) 
  
• All persons entering the base must report to the HCS (follow signs posted on base) for mandatory check-in and safety briefing in order to be granted access to the hunting area.
• All persons reported into the HCS are required to attend a complete safety briefing the first day of their hunt:
  • 6:00 am: Doors open for registration.
  • 7:00 am: The first complete briefing starts. Doors will be closed to the HCS as soon as the first briefing begins,
  • Additional briefings will be offered at 9 am and 1 pm only.

Other requirements and restrictions

• Base area closures: Military use of the base takes precedence over all other activities and is subject to change on short notice. Large areas of the base may be closed to hunting, depending on training requirements, and may change during the hunt. Daily closures will be communicated to hunters at the HCS during the morning update briefing.
• Out of bounds areas: Certain areas of Camp Wainwright are permanently closed to all hunting (example: artillery impact ranges.
• Off-highway vehicle restriction: Off-highway vehicles (snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, e-bikes, etc.) are not permitted at Camp Wainwright.
• Safety wear requirements: All hunters and non-hunters on the base must wear a blaze orange vest, traffic safety vest or high visibility vest to make them easily identifiable to other hunters and Base staff (simply wearing an orange cap is not sufficient).
• Overnight camping and open fire restrictions: No overnight camping and no open fires are allowed.
• Vehicle towing: The military will not assist hunters with vehicles that are stuck or have mechanical problems. Hunters must make their own towing arrangements.
• Firearms: No person may possess a centerfire rifle while on Base during the primitive weapon season.
• Sheds: Hunters are permitted to pick up naturally shed antlers should they wish to do so. “Dead heads” require a permit in accordance with the Alberta Wildlife Regulation pertaining to found dead wildlife. Hunters must contact a Fish and Wildlife office to apply for such a permit prior to taking possession of the wildlife.

Hunting information

• All hunting parties are provided with a large laminated map of the base which is to be returned at the end of the hunt. Additionally, a link will be provided in the “Digital Map” section below where a map of the base can be downloaded and used to assist in navigation.
• Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Officers as well as the Military Police will be patrolling the base during the hunt to ensure hunter compliance.
• WMUs 728 and 730 are mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease submission zones so samples will be collected from all harvested animals.
• The only legal animals to hunt on the base are mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, and elk. All other wildlife species are closed to hunting.

Digital Map

This year a digital version of the CFB Wainwright map is available for download. It is not a requirement to use the digital map, but may help with navigating the base for some hunters. The map is georeferenced and can be used with a third party app called Avenza Maps to assist with navigating while on base. Note however, that service may not always be available on base and it is the responsibility of the individual to know where they are at all times. It is highly recommended that you reference the hard copy map provided to you at the HCS if navigating with the digital map. Furthermore, navigating with Avenza can quickly deplete phone or smart device battery, so ensure devices are charged if using the app.

Directions for downloading the digital map and installing on Avenza maps:

1. Download the Avenza Maps app from the app store or at this link.
2. Create an account or Sign In if you’ve used the app before.
3. Once the app is installed, download the CFB Wainwright map here and save to your smart device, iCloud, or OneDrive.
4. Open up Avenza and tap the + sign on the screen, then click Import Map and navigate to where you saved the map on your smart device.
   • Alternatively, when you initially download the map, scroll through your apps until you find Avenza. When you click the app icon the map should automatically download into the app and you’ll be able to begin navigating.
   • If you encounter the error “failed to process” when importing the map, save the map to iCloud or OneDrive.
5. If you are on base when you open the map, a dot should appear at your location and will move as you travel throughout the base.

Numerous sources can also be found online to assist with downloading and using Avenza Maps.

Hunting dates

Contact

If you wish to ask any questions about accessing the base for the hunt, contact us at:

• Email: WRTBaseHunt@forces.gc.ca

Updated: Nov 1, 2024