The 2026 hunting regulations allowing dogs to help with the hunt of black bears state the changes aim to support predator management in areas where caribou recovery is a concern.

Cathy Ellis
Aug 10, 2026 12:17 PM

• Experts reject claim black bear hunting with dogs helps caribou conservation – St. Albert News

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BOW VALLEY – A retired provincial caribou expert and the Banff-Kananaskis MLA are both dismissing the Alberta government’s claim that allowing the use of dogs to hunt black bears will help protect threatened caribou, calling it “not credible” and a “total farce.”

Dave Hervieux, who retired from Alberta Fish and Wildlife after 41 years in 2024, and MLA Sarah Elmeligi say there is no scientific evidence to support the province’s claim that this change to the hunting regulations will help with the recovery of at-risk caribou.

They say the change is more focused on supporting the commercial hound outfitters, who have previously been limited to chasing cougars.

“It’s not credible,” said Hervieux, a former provincial woodland caribou manager and northwest regional director for Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife stewardship branch.

“Black bear and woodland caribou research does not support assertions that hunting bears with dogs will conserve woodland caribou in Alberta.”

The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations is published every July and this year states black bear hunting with dogs is now permitted in 23 wildlife management units. Of the units in this area where it will be permitted, the closest touches the boundary of Jasper National Park.

A spokesperson for Alberta Forestry and Parks did not get back to the Outlook by deadline, but the 2026 regulations state these changes aim to support predator management in areas where caribou recovery is a concern.

“What really upsets me about this decision is that the government is pretending that it is for the benefit of woodland caribou recovery and that is a total farce and it’s an outright lie… I wish the government would start using actual biological science to manage wildlife,” said Elmeligi, also a wildlife biologist.

“What’s really bugging me about this is just the lack of honesty and the lack of transparency. Don’t tell me that this is about caribou recovery. It is not about caribou recovery. It is about hunting black bears with dogs.”

Last year, hunters killed 2,431 black bears in Alberta.

Hervieux said many of the areas where dogs will be allowed to help chase and hunt black bears are not in caribou ranges.

Of the 23 wildlife management units where it will be permitted, he said 10 do not have caribou range and likely never had the landscape and habitat conditions to have caribou historically. 

Of the units in this area where it will be permitted, the closest touches the northern boundary of Banff National Park, as well as east of Jasper National Park.

In addition, two of the 23 wildlife management units have almost no caribou range.

“The hunting of black bears with dogs is considerably focused on areas which are not caribou range, do not have resident caribou, and historically were unlikely to have had caribou,” he said.

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As well, Hervieux said black bears tend to not be in caribou calving areas, reducing the potential for bears to prey on caribou calves. Though, a small number of black bears select similar habitats to caribou during the calving season.

“Removing the bears that occasionally occupy caribou calving habitats would require a massive bear cull,” he said.

“Studies of black bears in Ontario and Quebec found no evidence of bears consuming caribou adults or calves.”

Hervieux said killing black bears is not relevant to woodland caribou conservation in Alberta.

Instead, woodland caribou are challenged by habitat loss and change, which results in excessive wolf predation.

“Those changes remove caribou habitats but also increase habitat for other prey species – moose, deer, elk – which results in increased wolf populations and thereby excessive predation on caribou,” he said.

Alberta’s wolf culling program, said Hervieux, leads to reduced adult caribou mortality and increased calf survival.

Wolf management as a sole wildlife management action has in all cases considerably increased calf survival and led to stable increasing caribou population growth, he said.

“Black bear culling is not required to sustain caribou populations in Alberta. Caribou habitat conservation and recovery is required to avoid the need to cull wolves forever,” he said

“Caribou habitat conditions continue to decline in Alberta with landscapes being altered so that caribou can no longer exist.”

Elmeligi, who currently serves as the NDP opposition critic for environment and protected areas, said there is also plenty of evidence showing off-leash dogs come with risks.

One such peer-reviewed study, The Canine Conundrum: Is a dog a help or hindrance in bear country?, published in April, found dangerous incidents involving off-leash dogs outnumbered those involving leashed dogs by nearly six to one.

“Whether you’re using them to hunt black bears or not, we know that dogs off-leash and wilderness is not good,” Elmeligi said.

Provincial statistics show that between 2013 and 2022, there were at least six cases of grizzly bears being killed when they were mistaken for black bears.

“I’m worried that somebody will misidentify a grizzly bear and kill a grizzly bear by accident,” said Elmeligi.

“We know that there are multiple accidental hunts on grizzly bears and this just kind of increases that risk.”

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Ashland County Park District Sets Annual Deer, Waterfowl and Youth Hunting Lottery

Deer drawing will be conducted first, with waterfowl opportunities to follow

ASHLAND — The Ashland County Park District will hold its annual Deer and Waterfowl Hunting & Youth Lottery on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

The event will take place at the Ashland County Wildlife Conservation League, located at 1930 County Road 1035 in Ashland.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the first drawing beginning at 6 p.m. The deer hunting lottery will be conducted first, followed by the waterfowl drawing.

The general lottery costs $10, payable in cash. The youth lottery will be conducted at no charge.

A parent or guardian may enter a youth hunter who cannot attend the event by presenting proof of the youth’s hunting license. However, youth hunters who wish to participate in the general lottery must be present. No exceptions will be made.

The annual event provides hunters with an opportunity to be selected for controlled hunting opportunities on designated park district properties. The youth lottery also encourages young hunters to participate in Ohio’s outdoor traditions and gain valuable experience in the field.

Concessions will be available during the event.

Anyone with questions may contact the Ashland County Park District office at 419-289-3524. Additional information is available through the Ashland County Park District website.

Ashland County Park District Sets Annual Deer, Waterfowl and Youth Hunting Lottery – Ashland County Pictures

By Tim Fang

Updated on: August 10, 2026 / 10:04 AM PDT / CBS San Francisco

Young coyote found in illegal leg trap in Solano County rescued, group says – CBS San Francisco

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An animal rescue group in the Bay Area said it has rescued a young coyote that was recently found in an illegal trap.

According to the Solano Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, a female coyote was found in the trap near a creek, just off Suisun Valley Road in Fairfield. The coyote has since made a full recovery and was later released.

“Thankfully, a worker heard her crying and called for help. She was brought to us and then treated by our wildlife vet, Dr. Chen,” the group said in a social media post Sunday.

Steel-jaw leghold traps and other “body-gripping traps” have long been prohibited in California. In 1998, voters passed Proposition 4, which banned certain traps and animal poisons for recreational and commercial animal trapping.

The group urged anyone who finds illegal traps to report them to the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s CALTIP hotline. Violations can be reported by calling 888-334-2258, by texting “CALTIP” top 847411, or by submitting a tip on the CDFW website.

Young coyote found in illegal leg trap in Solano County rescued, group says – CBS San Francisco

also see: Young coyote released after rescue from illegal steel-jawed trap in Solano County – KCRA