With migratory and upland bird hunting season and deer bow-hunting season now open, the Stettler RCMP are asking both hunters and landowners to take care of each other.
Hunters need to be aware of and respect property owners’ rights, Cpl. Cam Russell said.
“Don’t tear down signs and then go on property, thinking because the sign is down it’s OK,” Russell said. “That will get you charged.”
Hunters who want to hunt on land that is not their own can approach the owner and ask. The owner is under no obligation to say yes, but often an agreement can be reached, Russell said.
Land owners sometimes do not want hunters on their land because of previous hunters who damaged their property or their livestock, because of the risk to livestock, or because harvest is still underway.
At the same time, a lack of Crown land in central Alberta makes hunting difficult without the cooperation of local landowners, who give permission to hunters to hunt their property.
Gun season on deer opens in November.