Cougar populations in Alberta are managed with hunting seasons to:

  • help maintain healthy populations
  • reduce conflicts with people
  • manage predation on wild ungulates
  • provide recreational opportunities

Fore more details, see:

Information about Alberta’s cougar hunting regulations follows below.

What’s New in 2011?

  • The cost of a resident cougar licence has been reduced to $20.31.
  • Cougar Management Area (CMA) boundaries have changed in some areas and have been re-numbered.
  • Six Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) have been added to Cougar Management Areas, and one Wildlife Management Unit has been removed.
  • A new fall season (November 1 to November 30) has been added in some areas. The use of dogs is prohibited during this season.
  • Hunters and landowners are now required to submit a pre-molar tooth from harvested cougars for aging purposes.
  • Owners and occupants of private land are now able to keep cougars that they hunt on their own land. The cougar must be registered within one week of the harvest.

Licences

Licence Type Cougar Season Fee
Resident cougar licence November 1 to November 30
December 1 to February 29
$20.31
Non-resident (Canadian) cougar licence December 1 to February 29 $135.31
Non-resident (Canadian) cougar special licence1 December 1 to February 29 $135.31
Non-resident alien cougar special licence1 December 1 to February 29 $254.97
1 Licences that must be purchased through an outfitter-guide.

Updated: Aug 12, 2011