Minister's Special Licence (MSL)

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.

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

Open All Close All

Updated: Jun 27, 2024