News for Rural Residents of Strathcona County Volume 13, Issue 2 Fall 2011
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CountryCountryNews forTalkTalk rural residents of Strathcona County Volume 13, Issue 2 Fall 2011 Hunting in Strathcona County Strathcona County’s 2011 hunting season — September 1 to December 7 Badgers control rodent populations Hunting – a part of wildlife management Strathcona County is a Specialized Municipality Wildlife is abundant in the rural areas of Strathcona and, because of this designation, all road allowances County. An overabundance of animals may cause are considered County property. There is no problems within urban and farming communities. hunting allowed on County property. Wildlife management is necessary for maintaining healthy and diverse wildlife 222 221 215 214 213 212 211 210 205 Range Road 220 Township Road populations. 570 Sturgeon 38 Alberta Fish and Wildlife, County 564 Edmonton District, is responsible for wildlife Discharge of 830 562 firearms prohibited management and enforcement Wildlife Management of Alberta’s Wildlife Act. Unit (WMU) Boundary 560 Special Control Area (firearm use restricted) Bruderheim The rights of landowners County boundary 15 554 A large portion of the privately Lamont County 552 owned land in the County falls City of WMU Fort 250 Saskatchewan Correction line — into the category of occupied 550 land, as defined under the Josephburg Wildlife Act. The following 544 regulations apply to hunting on 542 occupied land: 830 • A hunter needs permission 21 WMU 540 248 The badger is a unique animal that inhabits the great plains of from the landowner or North America. It has a flattened body with short, strong, stocky 534 occupant to hunt on a given City of legs. Its throat and chin are whitish with black patches and a white property. It is entirely the Edmonton 16 532 dorsal stripe extends from its nose over its head, creating a mask-like decision of the landowner or appearance. The badger’s head is wedge shaped with a short, thick, occupant whether to allow 216 Ardrossan 530 Sherwood strong neck, their ears are protected by long hair, and the eyes have a hunting on the property. Park specially adapted membrane to protect them while excavating soil. 630 524 • The landowner is responsible City of Antler Lake Cooking Lake-Blackfoot The northern populations have a greyer coat and weigh more than Edmonton 824 Recreation Area to ensure that the hunter 628 522 their southern counterparts. Badgers range in weight from four-12 North Cooking WMU understands any conditions Half Moon Lake Lake 936 kilograms and are 520–875 mm from head to tail. They breed in 629 520 on which hunting is being late summer, so males are more visible at that time of the year. Tw o Collingwood Cove WMU permitted. For example, 514 242 to five young are born the following spring which coincides with hunting may be allowed Hastings 21 South Lake the appearance of seasonal rodent populations. for one day, several days or Cooking Lake 512 WMU 14 Unless a female is accompanied by young, badgers are lone hunters. longer. The landowner may 248 510 They hunt and feed on burrowing prey and have special pressure specify the number of hunters Range Road 232 231 230 225 224 223 222 221 220 215 210 205 204 203 202 234 233 211 receptors in their front paws which extend into the claws. Their home 214 213 allowed, or particular areas Leduc County 212 Beaver County range is about 760 hectares and they settle into habitats that contain they are to avoid. pocket gopher or ground squirrel infestations. RR 222 Where hunting is and is not TP 514 South RR 214 Cooking Half They have a keen sense of sight, hearing, touch and smell. These Lake Josephburg Moon permitted Lake Range Road 222 senses allow the badger to be more than 70 per cent effective at 14 The discharge of firearms in TR 550 capturing gophers after they start a “digout”. They often capture 629 Ardrossan Strathcona County is controlled Range Road 220 several rodents to stockpile undergr ound, then stay within the by the County’s Firearms RR 215 ground den system for several days. Often accompanied by Control Bylaw 11-2007 and RR 210 coyotes while they prey on gopher colonies the rodents that escape North Antler is enforced by the RCMP. Wye Road Cooking RR 213 TR 520 the badger’s grasp above ground are then captured by the faster Lake Lake Firearms may not be used for predator. In southern regions they are also known to kill venomous Collingwood hunting in Sherwood Park or in Hastings Lake RR 204 Cove RR 211 snakes. Some jurisdictions protect badgers because of their ability Wye Road 14 TWP 512 rural hamlets. to control populations of pocket gophers and ground squirrels. The use of firearms is restricted Further information Badger burrows are sometimes a nuisance but as soon as the gopher within the Special Control Area. In this area, infestation is eradicated they move on. The burrows may then be The 2011 Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations shotguns, muzzle-loading rifles, bows and arrows, used by hares, porcupines and coyotes for protection. In heavily is now available. For locations of hunting licence and cross-bows may be used to hunt white-tailed sodded, native range, burrow openings allow for water and oxygen issuers: deer during this year’s Strathcona White-tailed Deer exchange in the soil. • check the Government of Alberta website Hunt from October 25 to December 7, Monday to Badgers have adapted to deal with temperature and food stresses by www.albertaregulations.ca Friday only. reducing their heart rate by half the normal rate and reducing their • call 1-877-944-0313 Recipients of the antlerless moose special licence body temperature to 9° celcius. Badgers food shifts seasonally with for Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 248 Alberta Fish and Wildlife Edmonton District Office more mice and hares consumed during the winter months. must adhere to the regulations associated with the • 780-427-3574 Badgers are not true hibernators but do rest up to three metres Strathcona White-tailed Deer Hunt when hunting Strathcona County Transportation and Agriculture below ground for long periods of time. They are an interesting part in Strathcona County. Services of Strathcona County. Outside of the Special Control Area, Sherwood Park • www.strathcona.ca/tas Further information and rural hamlets, Strathcona County does not have • 780-417-7100 www.strathcona.ca/tas bylaws restricting the use of firearms. Provincial and • Firearms Control Bylaw 11-2007 780-417-7100 federal regulations apply in these areas. The County is divided into three different Wildlife 24-hour numbers Management Units (WMUs). Different regulations • RCMP Sherwood Park apply to each. Check regulation details. 780-467-7741 FSC logo here Hunting game birds with a shotgun on road • Report-a-Poacher allowances is not allowed in the County. 1-800-642-3800 CountryTalk 1 Services and Supports for Older Adults Since the Strathcona County Older Adults Plan was developed in 2009, a number of new programs have been developed and are A gathering of the being offered in our community. Seniors Outreach The Seniors Outreach Program The program provides emotional provides seniors (65 and supports, advocacy and referrals horse industry older) and their families with to assist with: emotional well- ongoing supports and helps being, housing, finances, grief them connect with appropriate and loss, family relationships, This event will be of great interest community resources. The life transitions, transportation, Outreach Worker meets with addictions, abuse and neglect, to horse owners and enthusiasts seniors in their home. and coping skills. in Strathcona County and the Edmonton region. The evening will consist of: • a feature presentation on “Trends, consequences and where does the horse industry go from here?” • state of the industry reports from representatives in different sectors of the Friendly Visitor horse industry Friendly Visitor matches seniors depending on their interests. with volunteers who visit weekly. If you know a senior who • 2011 horse count results presentation The program helps seniors stay would enjoy social visits, share connected to the community, this information and help them • trade show booths and information displays while providing meaningful connect. volunteer experiences for If you are looking for a residents. Participants meet meaningful opportunity to weekly to chat, enjoy a coffee or volunteer and connect with Tuesday, September 20 tea together, share experiences, seniors, contact us at the go for a walk, and play cards, The Agora number below! 501 Festival Avenue (in the new Community Centre behind County Hall) Sherwood Park, Alberta Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Snow Busters Snow Busters is a program that If this winter is anything like matches eligible seniors with last winter, we will need a lot For further details visit volunteers to assist with snow of support from volunteers to removal throughout the season. provide this valuable service for discoverhorses.org To qualify for Snow Busters, seniors. you need to be a Strathcona Make a difference for a senior or call Gary Millar at County resident aged 65 or near you. Take a few extra older, have an annual income minutes when shovelling or 780-499-9219. not exceeding $24,600 for ploughing your own snow to singles or $40,000 for couples give a senior a hand. Don’t and be physically unable to know a senior you can help? shovel snow. Volunteer with Snow Busters and be matched with a senior. Further information Family & Community Services 780-464-4044 discoverhorses.org www.strathcona.ca/seniors Weed inspectors wrap up another Future Workshops/Open Houses It’s now easier to Transportation and Agriculture Services hosts a variety of open houses apply for a fire busy season and workshops for rural residents throughout the year.