Alberta Greenlights Fenced-Farm Hunts, Igniting Debate

Fenced Hunts Spark Community Outcry

A provincial decision to permit the hunting of elk and deer on fenced farms has ignited heated debate among Albertans. Critics are quick to assert that such practices fall short of genuine hunting and raise significant public health concerns.

The Alberta government is indeed moving forward with this policy through Bill 10, an omnibus bill that legalizes "harvest preserves" on privately owned land. This action lifts a long-standing provincial prohibition, with officials touting it as a vital economic opportunity for rural areas and the cervid farming industry.

However, opponents contend that allowing the taking of animals within enclosures "isn't hunting at all" and fundamentally "degrades the sport." Foremost among their worries is the potential spread of diseases like Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from farmed to wild populations. The government maintains that stringent recordkeeping and comprehensive CWD testing protocols will be mandatory for these preserves, aiming to mitigate any such risks and balance economic aspirations with public safety.