Minister's Special Licence (MSL)

Alberta offers world-class hunting opportunities for resident and non-resident hunters.

Each year, the Government of Alberta provides Minister’s Special Licences (MSLs) for select game species to be auctioned or to be allocated through draws to raise money for wildlife conservation and stewardship in Alberta. Minister’s Special Licences can be used across the province where a hunting season for the respective species occurs and are valid from August 25 to August 24 of the following year. See the documents below for an overview and specific details on eligibility and conditions for each species. Each year up to 9 MSLs are available to residents of Alberta through a draw, now administered through Alberta ReLM.

The Minister’s Special Licence does not convey any access permission to the licence holder. It is the responsibility of the licence holder to acquire access on any lands they wish to hunt, including all private and occupied Crown land. Any access permission and permit requirements within provincial Parks are also the responsibility of the licence holder. Funds generated through the resident draws will be used towards wildlife stewardship projects through a process administered by the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA).

MSL Draws for Alberta Residents

The Minister’s Special Licence draws are available to Alberta residents through the Special Licence Draw system on Alberta ReLM:

Species Conditions of Licence
Bighorn Sheep Trophy Bighorn Sheep Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Cougar Cougar Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Elk Antlered Elk Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Moose Antlered Moose Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Mountain Goat Mountain Goat Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Mule Deer Antlered Mule Deer Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Pronghorn Antelope Trophy Pronghorn Antelope Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
White-tailed Deer Antlered White-tailed Deer Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Wild Turkey Wild Turkey Draw - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)

Auctions

In addition to the resident draw MSLs, up to 9 MSLs are sold by auction annually internationally and can be purchased by non-residents or Albertans. The 2024 MSL permits were auctioned in January/February 2024. More information on these opportunities is available through the Alberta Professional Outfitters Society (APOS) website. Non-resident purchasers of the auctioned permits must use the services of an outfitter. Funds generated through the auctioned MSLs are used towards wildlife stewardship projects through a process administered by the APOS.

Species Conditions of Licence
Bighorn Sheep Trophy Bighorn Sheep Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Cougar

Cougar Auction - May 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)

No Minister’s Special Licence for Cougar was available for auction in 2024

Elk Antlered Elk Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Moose Antlered Moose Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Mountain Goat

Mountain Goat Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)

No Minister’s Special Licence for Mountain Goat was available for auction in 2024

Mule Deer Antlered Mule Deer Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
Pronghorn Antelope Trophy Pronghorn Antelope Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)
White-tailed Deer

Antlered White-tailed Deer Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)

No Minister’s Special Licence for White-tailed Deer was available for auction in 2024

Wild Turkey Wild Turkey Auction - 2024 (1 page, <1 MB)

Learn more about upcoming MSL auctions:

General draw information

  • To apply for a Minister’s Special Licence draw you must:
    • Be an Alberta Resident
    • Be 12 years of age or older
    • Be eligible to hunt in Alberta
    • Not be under suspension
  • Have a Wildlife Certificate before purchase
  • Draws can be purchased online through AlbertaRELM or at a licence issuer
Species Score All-time Rank
Mule Deer (Non-Typical)* 355 2/8 1
Bighorn Sheep (Trophy Ram)* 209 2/4 2
Bighorn Sheep (Trophy Ram)* 208 3/8 5
Bighorn Sheep (Trophy Ram)* 208 1/8 7
Bighorn Sheep (Trophy Ram)* 207 2/8 8
Bighorn Sheep (Trophy Ram)* 206 3/8 9
Elk (Pope & Young, Non-Typical) 449 4/8 9
Elk (Typical)* 419 5/8 10
Moose* 226 7/8 11

*As per Boone and Crockett.

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Updated: Jun 27, 2024