Don’t miss out on news and updates about the Taber Pheasant Festival. Subscribe to our newsletter today!

Sign-Up Today

Presenting Sponsors

Taber Pheasant Festival FAQs

General Questions:

What and when is the Taber Pheasant Festival?

It is a week-long festival that brings about 800 adults and youth to Taber and area for pheasant hunting. The festival runs from October 19-16, 2024.

The festival program

  • Hunting at pheasant release sites randomly assigned from the festival’s draw results: October 21 – 26
  • Novice Shoot for those new to pheasant hunting: October 19 – 20
  • Town of Taber Hunters’ Lunch (Free): October 21
  • Game to Gourmet Pheasant Tasting culinary event: October 21
  • Scotch Tasting & Wing Night: October 23
  • Celebration Dinner and Silent Auction: October 24

I want to hunt at the Taber Pheasant Festival. What do I do?

What hunting licences do I need to hunt pheasants and where can I purchase them?

Alberta hunting licences and fees are based on where you live. Visit albertarelm.com for information. If you are an Alberta resident, to hunt pheasant you need the following items:

  1. WIN Card
  2. Wildlife Certificate
  3. Game Bird Licence
  4. Pheasant Licence

Visit albertarelm.com or a private licence issuer (e.g., hunting and fishing store) to purchase required licensing. You will need a WIN Card prior to purchasing hunting licences.

What is a WIN Card?

A WIN Card is a Wildlife Identification Number. You must purchase a WIN Card in order to purchase a wildlife certificate and hunting licences. You can buy your WIN Card online at albertarelm.com or at a private licence issuer (e.g., hunting and fishing store).

I am new to hunting and have never bought a licence before. Do I need to take the Hunter Education Certificate?

Yes. This is a provincial requirement for all first-time hunters in Alberta. Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association (AHEIA) delivers a Hunter Education Course online. Do not wait until the last minute to do the course work as the online course takes time to complete. After you complete the course, AHEIA will issue you a Hunter Education Certificate with a number. You need this number the first time you purchase a hunting licence.

How can I support the festival?

Where can I stay while in Taber?

Taber Heritage Inn is a proud sponsor of Taber Pheasant Festival. Book your room early online at heritageinn.net or call (403) 233-4424 or 1-888-888-4374.

How can I connect to the festival on social media?

Post your stories and photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with the hashtag #taberpheasantfestival.

If you have photos and stories you want to send us about the festival, please send them to cassandra.hewitt@ab-conservation.com.

 

Regular Hunt Draw Questions

When is registration open for the random draw for the regular hunts?

Is there a fee to register for the random draw for the regular hunts?

How does the draw system work for the regular hunts?

When will I know if I am drawn for the regular hunts?

Can I choose the specific release sites and times I want to hunt during the regular hunts?

If successfully drawn in the regular hunts, can I change the time of day I want to hunt?

I was drawn and have confirmed my hunting times. How do I get information on my assigned sites?

Where is the Festival Office?

What are the Festival Office hours?

OFFICE HOURS FOR 2024:
October 20, 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.* We will not open early!
October 21, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
October 22, 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
October 23, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
October 24, 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. (closed early due to the banquet, we will not take registration past 1 p.m.)
October 25, 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
October 26, 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

* IT IS EXTREMELY BUSY on Sunday, October 20 when the office first opens. You can expect a 60 to 90 minute wait. If you see a line up out the door, please come back later when the office is less busy and we can serve you better. Your site will not be given away. Go for coffee, do some shopping, or “do the touristy things” while you wait for the line to be less busy.We will not tolerate any harassment of staff while you wait in line. Waiting in line is your choice and staff are assisting everyone with the same grace and hospitality. Please be kind and patient. Harassment of staff can get you banned from the festival.

Hunters are asked not to register on Sunday unless their first hunt is Monday or Tuesday (if you have a third hunt, we will give you that paperwork as well, so you don't have to come back). If your first hunt is Wednesday or later, hunters may register on Monday or later in the week. See link for more information.

I have limited mobility and hope to hunt a flat site.

If a steep site has been assigned to you, we will do our best to reassign you to a flatter site; however, there is no guarantee. All of our sites are initially randomly assigned our ability to reassign a site depends on how many hunters have already picked up their hunter packages and permissions slips.

Can I get information on my assigned sites before the festival?

No. This information is only available at the Festival Office during the festival.

Is there a cancellation penalty?

No. We understand if you’ve finally gotten a long-awaited Moose Draw or your kid’s team made playoffs, but we do ask that you let us know as soon as possible. If you can’t make it, we have a list of people that would really like your spot. Please be considerate; let us know as soon as possible if you can't make your drawn hunt time by contacting laura.volkman@ab-conservation.com or phoning 780-695-3462. If you fail to cancel and are a no show, you risk being banned from further festivals.

When and where do I enter the names of my hunting party?

There is an option to enter the names of your hunting party once you’ve been successfully drawn and have accepted your drawn spot(s). If your hunting party changes, you must let us know when you sign the waiver form and pick up your permission slip(s) at the registration office in Taber during the festival week.

 

Novice Shoot Questions

What and when is the Novice Shoot?

It is an opportunity for adults and youth new to hunting pheasants to learn shotgun safety and shooting techniques, and experience a pheasant shoot with experienced mentors in a controlled setting. Instructors from Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association provide all shotguns, ammunition, and safety training. Mentors are experienced hunters from AHEIA, ACA, and local fish & game clubs.

Novice Shoot Dates (YOU CAN ONLY REGISTER FOR 1 DAY/TIME):

  • Saturday, October 19, 2024, with morning and afternoon sessions.
  • Sunday, October 20, 2024, with morning and afternoon sessions.

 

Who can participate in the Novice Shoot?

Individuals aged 10 and up. All hunters must have all appropriate hunting licences.

  • Novice hunters can only register for the novice if they have attended the Novice Shoot less than 3 times in the past. This will allow more first time hunters to partake. Anyone who has registered 3 times will not be able to register and are encouraged to register in the regular hunt draws to possibly get drawn for a site during the rest of the week.
  • There is a $50 per person deposit to hold your spot. See next bullet for caveat.
  • If by chance you need to cancel, you must do so prior to October 16 in order to get your deposit refunded. After 12 p.m. on October 16, 2024, any Novice Shoot cancellations will not receive a refund. The Novice Shoot takes a lot of effort from ACA, AHEIA, and volunteers to run. Having registrants not show is disappointing when we could have filled the spot with another hunter. Any unrefunded deposits will go to help offset the cost of running the event (male pheasants, tent rentals, food, ammunition costs, fuel, propane, etc.).

 

How do I register for the Novice Shoot?

Register online at taberpheasantfestival.com.

Is there a fee for the Novice Shoot?

The event is free; however, we do require a $50 deposit to hold your spot. This deposit is returned to you when you show up for the event. If you register and need to cancel, please let us know prior to October 16, so we can fill the spot. About 1 week prior to the event, we will send you an information email with more details on location and things to know. Please check your spam/junk email in case our email gets redirected. When registering, please use an email address you use/check frequently. Please see question: "Who can participate in the Novice Shoot" for policy information.

Do I need previous firearms training to participate in the Novice Shoot?

No. AHEIA instructors provide firearms training at the Novice Shoot. You do however need your Alberta Hunter Education Training Course completed and all of your appropriate licencing.

Do I need to bring a shotgun and ammunition?/Can I bring my own shotgun to the Novice Shoot?

You do not need to bring a shotgun to the Novice Shoot as AHEIA provides all shotguns (various gauges) and provides all ammunition. If you would like to bring a shotgun, there are some rules to follow: All firearms must remain in your vehicle until it has been approved by an AHEIA instructor. If it is approved, an AHEIA instructor will transport it to the firearms rack where it will be treated the same as all AHEIA shotguns and can be used by you. As a safety protocol, all ammunition will be provided for the Novice Shoot. Please leave any ammunition you may have brought in your vehicle. Once you are done with your firearm, it will be transported by AHEIA back to your vehicle.

If I register for the Novice Shoot, can I also enter the draw to hunt during the week?

Yes.

What hunting licences do I need to hunt pheasants in the Novice Shoot and where can I purchase them?

Alberta hunting licences and fees are based on where you live. Visit albertarelm.com for information. If you are an Alberta resident, to hunt pheasant you need the following items:

  1. WIN Card
  2. Wildlife Certificate
  3. Game Bird Licence
  4. Pheasant Licence

Visit albertarelm.com or a private licence issuer (e.g., hunting and fishing store) to purchase required licensing. You will need a WIN Card prior to purchasing hunting licences.

Gold Sponsors: