Hunting in Alberta

View 209 hunts

209 hunting trips from 63 outfitters starting from $520

209

hunting trips

$520

starting from

outfitters

animals

About hunting in Alberta

The province of Alberta, in western Canada, is one of North America’s premier hunting regions. Covering 250,000 square miles, its geography is diverse, with open prairies in the south, aspen parklands in the central regions, boreal forestland in the far north, and the magnificent peaks of the Canadian Rockies along its western border. Alberta has at least ten huntable big-game species: pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bears, cougars, Rocky Mountain elk, Canada moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, bison, and wolves. Alberta’s prairie regions also boast outstanding waterfowl and upland bird hunting. Alberta’s outfitters are issued big-game allocations on an annual basis, so there is no need for hunters to apply for or draw tags, and this makes it easy to book a hunt in the province. Alberta’s hunting industry traces its roots to 1881, when Tom Wilson joined a survey of what is now the Stoney Indian Reserve near Banff. After learning the lay of the land and how to pack a horse, he became the first known hunting outfitter in Alberta. During the 1920s and 1930s, outfitted hunting evolved into big business, and famous names, including American outdoor writer Jack O’Connor, hunted in both Alberta and British Columbia. Alberta is known for outstanding record-book trophies, especially when it comes to bighorn sheep. The world-record bighorn was taken by Guinn Crousen in 2000, and the ram it eclipsed, now number two, was also from Alberta. In fact, five of the top ten rams listed in the Boone and Crockett records came from Alberta. So did the number-one non-typical mule deer, the Broder Buck. Hunters can bring their own rifles and shotguns for a hunt in Alberta; a simple one-page form must be filled out to obtain a temporary Canadian Firearms permit. This form (CAFC 909) can be downloaded from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Firearms Program, www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf. Follow the links for visitors/non-residents and then download the “Non-Resident Firearms Declaration” (CAFC 909). Hunters may bring up to 200 rounds of ammunition into Alberta, and it’s easy to purchase ammo for most common calibers and gauges at sporting-goods stores in most areas. The Alberta Professional Outfitter’s Society (APOS) is a good source of information about hunting in Alberta. See apos.ab.ca.

Alberta on map

Price distribution

$520

$21,640

$42,760

$63,880

$85,000

Hunting methods

Rifle Hunting 136 hunts

Stalking 115 hunts

Bow Hunting 113 hunts

All methods (17)

Game classification

Big Game 191 hunts

Predators 80 hunts

Dangerous Game 74 hunts

All classifications (7)

Reviews

Aidan

Canada

9.0

of 10

Verified review

Oct 6, 2026

Great Adventure

9.0

of 10

Derek Dowdall & Rick Martin - outfitters & guides

Outfitter

Hunting with Alberta Wild was my first ever guided hunt experience. The owners (Rick & Derek) and their guides worked really hard for our group during the week long hunt. Unfortunately none of us tagged elk but I got close. We got shafted by the weather most of the week with very high winds which made calling for bulls almost impossible. This was not the guides fault as nobody can control the weather. This is a rugged hunt and your success and enjoyment will rely on your physical fitness. I hiked 87.9km total over the seven days. This was up and down rugged ridges and through steep drainages. Just know what you’re getting yourself into. The guys won’t put you in a position where you could get hurt or can’t physically get in/out somewhere due to poor physical fitness, and they pay close attention to how their clients are handling it. They can also take you to more open cut blocks which are easier to access. I got myself ready for this trip by working out and walking with a weighted pack for a number of months before the trip. The accommodations were excellent. Our group of hunters was in a large canvas wall tent with a stove and very comfortable cots. I ate like a king all week. I’d get up in the morning, eat breakfast, hunt all morning, come back to camp and eat to my hearts content for lunch. Then I’d nap, and hunt again for the evening. Once we got back, supper was always great. They have numerous snacks on standby when it’s not meal time and numerous choices for non-alcoholic drinks. You definitely won’t go hungry on this hunt. The hunting was tough but I enjoyed myself and learned a lot. On day five we hiked in close to a bull elk and his cows. The bull bugled multiple times at my guide who continued to call back at him. Eventually the bull stepped into partial view at ~120 yards and I had an opportunity for a good shot, but we had to confirm he was of legal size. I got to watch the bull destroy a tree with his antlers in anger that we were so close to his cows. By the time we could confirm he was of legal size to shoot (legal size is six points on one antler), the bull winded us and had moved into dense brush again, disappearing like a ghost. On day seven we got onto a bull early. We chased this bull for two hours through some extremely steep drainages. We got caught unexpectedly as the bull came back towards us looking for a fight. He was within 30 yards on the ridge above us. The bull made some of the loudest vocalizations I’ve ever heard an animal make. Loud barks and bugles echoed through the drainage around us. He caught our wind and disappeared over the next ridge. I never got a shot, but it was an incredible experience. If you’re doing the rifle hunt you should be ready for shots as close as 30 yards if you’re hunting down in the thick brush. If you’re up in some of the open cut blocks you could expect a shot up to 400 yards. The short of it is, be ready and proficient enough for close/long shots. Shooting sticks don’t really work here so be ready for free-hand/bracing against a tree in odd positions to make a shot. If you’re looking for an adventure then look no further than these guys.

Their prices seem to have gone up since my trip, which is unfortunate and will price a lot of guys out, but I get that everyone has bills to pay.

Reliable

High Quality

Unique

Marco

Canada

9.7

of 10

Verified review

Oct 5, 2026

Phenomenal Experience

9.7

of 10

Derek Dowdall & Rick Martin - outfitters & guides

Outfitter

The Terrain was absolutely beautiful, the guides were hard working and very knowledgeable and base camp was as close to a hotel as back country camping can be, all amenities were top notch!

I didn’t get an Elk🤣

Reliable

High Quality

Tom

United States

8.3

of 10

Verified review

Feb 19, 2026

These guys even had the cooks out looking for game for us

8.3

of 10

Jeff Acorn

Outfitter

Even though the camp was rustic it was extremely comfortable and enjoyable

Nothing that was in there control weather wasn’t great

Useful

Andreas

Germany

10.0

of 10

Verified review

Nov 30, 2025

Hunt of a Lifetime

10.0

of 10

Dustin Roe-Owner/Operator

Outfitter

**Everything went perfectly. To understand how unique this horseback hunt truly is, you need to know a few details.** First of all, Dustin is running a huge company, which makes it even more impressive how quickly he responds to inquiries (as long as he has cell service – something that is far from guaranteed in the Yukon, and everyone should understand that). I was fortunate enough to be flown into base camp on a beautiful day. This was the starting point for our 9-day hunt, and there I met my guide and wrangler. Another team was also in camp at that time. The friendliness and professionalism of those guides were outstanding as well. For anyone worried about running into other hunters: this was the only contact, and we had absolutely no overlap during the hunt. From there we spent nine days in the wilderness. You may stay in tents, in small cabins, or – like in base camp – in a larger cabin. The incredible landscape and vastness of this hunting area are simply breathtaking. Traveling by horseback allows you to cover an impressive amount of country. I was lucky – though I believe this applies to all of Dustin’s guides – to be paired with a incredibly hardworking guide and wrangler. Being the last hunter of the season, I was amazed at how hard Tim and Mac were still working after 80 days in the backcountry. This alone gave me complete confidence in everything they did, and that trust is essential. Every hunter, especially European hunters, needs to let go of the idea that you will see game behind every corner. Only then can you enjoy the hunt from the very first day. This is true wilderness, and that affects wildlife behavior. All the more fascinating it is when you finally encounter a moose or another species. If you are fortunate enough to harvest a moose, you will be impressed by the professionalism that follows. From field dressing and quartering the animal, to packing it out, and eventually leaving camp (in my case a full trail-out) – everything was handled with absolute skill and care. It was a worthy ending to a true hunt of a lifetime. I can wholeheartedly recommend Dustin as an outfitter. One small piece of advice: to truly enjoy a horseback hunt, make sure to take a few riding lessons beforehand. **Thank you, Dustin, for making my lifelong dream come true.**

Nothing

Unique

Alex

United States

5.0

of 10

Verified review

Oct 18, 2025

1 moose sighting in 10 days

5.0

of 10

Clayton Hood Owner

Outfitter

The camp atmosphere was similar to a Wisconsin hunting camp, which was nice. The guides tried to stay positive for the most part, even though the group didn’t see many moose.

Not what I was exactly expecting. Was hoping to see more wildlife, and the occasional moose. I wish our guide would have been more aggressive a few days towards the end of the hunt. We spent 9 of the 10 days trying to call them out of where they thought the moose were. We got more aggressive on the last day and ended up seeing 1 moose during the last hour of a 10 day hunt, unfortunately I did not get a shot. 2 out of the 4 hunters didn’t even see a moose until the 7th day. Also, I would not recommend buying the extra whitetail tag…I only saw 1 whitetail buck in 10 days and no one else in our camp killed one. I was hoping for more, but ultimately left unsatisfied. It’s a big gamble on maybe a 10 second window at 1 moose.

Unique

Ineffective

Kyle

United States

10.0

of 10

Verified review

Oct 8, 2025

Absolutely Amazing!!

10.0

of 10

Clayton Hood Owner

Outfitter

Thoroughly enjoyed the accommodations, food, and evening discussions. The guides knew the area very well and absolutely amazed at the instincts as to where the moose were. Both guides were positive and encouraging on the days hunting was tough, but the commitment from the guides was always up-beat and positive. The care for the game during retrieval, cleaning, and transportation was of high priority, which was greatly appreciated. Guidance was provided for preparation for crossing the Canadian boarder and what to expect. Definitely a place I'd go back to!!

I cannot think of anything that was missing during this hunt! For myself and my buddy our expectations were exceeded and fulfilled.

Reliable

High Quality

Good Value for Money