Landowner Hunting Access Survey

An online survey was used to collect information from landowners about their perspectives on allowing hunting access on their private land. The study design was developed in partnership with social scientists at the universities of Alberta and Waterloo. Agriculture industry groups helped to refine survey questions and promoted the survey through their publications and social media. The survey remains open at the time of writing (Feb 21), although more than 600 surveys have been completed to date from across the province. An early look at these results suggests that, on average, the number of hunters seeking access has increased in recent years. However, nine times as many landowners said that they have become less likely to grant permission during that time than those who said that they have become more likely to grant permission. Hunters who were family, friends, or neighbours of the landowner, or who had built a relationship with them over time, were most likely to be granted hunting permission. Few landowners indicated that they would be willing to grant permission to someone without knowing much about them. So, while many landowners do allow hunting by others, these permissions may be less forthcoming in recent years. We will complete analyzing these data in spring 2021 and follow up with a report that refines our interpretation of the results. For now, the early data suggests that those seeking access to private land would do well to develop a connection with landowners as a first step.

Partnerships

Alberta Beef Producers; Alberta Crop Sector Working Group; Alberta Environment and Parks; Alberta Professional Outfitters Society; Alberta Wheat & Barley Commissions; Creative Motion Publishing; Glacier FarmMedia; Minister’s Special Licence Grant; University of Alberta; University of Waterloo; Western Stock Growers’ Association

Annual Summaries

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