Regulation Changes for 2018
 

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/poli...ime=1518005129


Apparently a spear is unsafe, and inhumane. I wonder when Shannon will decide the same for bow hunting?

The ABA went after spears. Essentially long arrows.

The ABA needs to be reigned in.

Yes, but it was the video that put the nail in the coffin. Public outcry did the rest.

how many videos of questionable bow kills are on youtube? If that's all it takes, I'm a little worried

Also,

The regulations will also set new standards for ammunition by requiring shotgun pellets to be larger than .24 inches in diameter. This means hunters must use .24-calibre buckshot or larger when hunting big game to ensure a quick and effective kill.

I wonder when they will realize that the caliber of the projectile has less to do with humane kills than energy and bullet placement.

Lol
 

Not unless you can throw your spear at 225 FPS minimum and crush tic tacs at 30 meters, there is a big difference.
I always looked at spear hunters as people who like killing, not hunting, but that’s just my outlook. And yes, as a bow hunter I see the conflict with that stance, but it is what it is.
The public sees a bloodlust in spear hunting on the net, and when they come gunning for the end of it, all hunting will pay the price, and that’s a shame in my opinion.

The ABA sold hunters out. That is how I read that article. There was a public outcry when a cougar was shot. There is public outcry when a carcass is found. There is public outcry when an elk is shot in the Foothills. Public outcry should not gave a say in policy. Organizations such as the ABA should and they just proved they are willing to sell us out.

As for the shot size, .24 is no.4 buckshot. The smallest buckshot there is. Was it common for people to go hunting big game with BBB goose loads? I have never heard of it!

‘In an interview with Postmedia, Environment Minister Shannon Phillips said the change is a result of extensive consultations with hunting associations, the Alberta Conservation Association and the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association.’

I am just going to identify as an indigenous hunter.

The new regulations won’t interfere with the rights of Indigenous hunters to practise traditional hunting methods.

I can really wing my spear.

Lmao
The most skilled spear chucker I know.

Maybe I should lobby to ban bow hunting. hmmm.

Amazing, we can still spear hunt everything except big game?

Why has the Minister legislated that only big game be killed humanely, specifically bears?

Yes, these are leading questions.

Are you serious? There are FAR better ways to accumulate body count.

it all has to do with the bear that was speared and then showen to the world to judge all hunters by what he did . This guy has started this crap and we will all pay for it

That was the tip of the iceberg. It was never an issue until the ABA brought it up.

you watch they will go after bow hunting next sad but true always look at your video be for sending out to the world to judge just my thoughts

People had already forgotten about that whole thing, their attention span is a matter of days, this is all about restricting hunting in any way she can. She says it’s virtually impossible to get close enough to kill an animal so we should ban it??? If spear hunting isn’t going to kill anything why is it being banned? I would assume this ban also covers atlatls whch is kinda unfortunate as they are a pretty funky apparatus. This is a dangerous precedent as there really wasn’t any solid reason for the ban, it is based purely on opinion and pressure from lobby groups. This sets up the ability of an anti minister to cancel whatever she wants based on pressure from fringe groups, fairly certain aba and aheia weren’t openly campaigning for a ban.

Actually... (and forgive me as the details may not be exact but I know them to be pretty accurate) the then President of the ABA did actively campaign for the ban on spears and atlatls. Of course following the inevitable backlash there was accusations that he was not speaking on behalf of the ABA, but rather his own personal beliefs. Strangely, after extensive consultation with the ABA the ban still came about. Now this all could be a coincidence, but one I just can't swallow.

The ABA is a member of the larger group of bodies that work on these things. They DO NOT have sole power or final say in these matters. Heard of AGMAG? You guys will have to point fingers elsewhere. I know for fact many ABA members and executive were not pushing for nor in favour of a ban.

If you want to blame something, blame social media and theatrics performed by the hunter the backlash was about...staged photos and other things surrounding the hunt. After that...blame the current Government.

LC

True but they brought it to the table.

By request....not acting alone. There is always more to the story.

LC

I wonder how much meat spears have put on the table in the past.

You are right. They do not have sole power to enact changes to the regulations. That power lies pretty much entirely with the government. But having their support does grant the government a high level of impunity when they announce these things.

I hope this thread does not devolve into what the other "Atlatl" thread, or any one related to it, became. The simple fact is, as far as 99.9 percent of the public will read, 2 key hunting organizations in Alberta supported this ban and the removal of hunting opportunities in the province. If public opinion is the new guideline the message that sends absolutely terrifies me.

There was never a vote held by the executive to show support or not to a ban. Again, people want to point a finger at the ABA.... Look towards more recent statements by others to find more current "support" for the ban.

But I'm on vacation and it's sunny and 26 above! I am out :)

LC

Ridiculous policy change.

I don't spear hunt but I enjoyed the freedom to be able to legal do so if I was so inclined.

I wonder what the stats are on how many people actually spear hunted large game?

I wonder what data they had regarding spear weight and energy correlation to the time for animal to pass.

How does this compare to arrow? to bullet? calibre?

The variable of effective shot placement?

I suspect that there was little to no data consulted or even available. I suspect that this lost freedom was for very few hunters but nonetheless it is now lost to all.

I do not bow hunt but support those that chose to do so. Personally I do not see it as a long stretch for the powers to restrict or close bow hunting of large game in the future.

Lots of bears were taken with spears last year, pics on Alberta Hunting addicts.

Huh?
 

I’m not sure what you read in my post about body counts, but it was a mistake on your part Chuck. Of course spear hunting has low success and even lower participants I suspect. But I am as always, Serious. Lol
Lots of good posts here, we will need to have good dialog like this as the times, they are a changing. There will be more challenges, and decisions will need to be made for the “good of all”, as we’ve proven again and again that we can’t organize and fight the good fight, gun control has proven that.