Alberta's WMU 400 to 446 OHV weapon rule, explained

If you hunt the eastern slopes, there's a rule that catches people out every fall. In Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 400 to 446, Alberta limits when you can carry a weapon on an off-highway vehicle. Here's what the regulations say, in plain language.

The rule

In WMUs 400 to 446, it's unlawful to carry a weapon on an OHV on public land between one hour before sunrise and the following noon, during an open season for big game. "Weapon" has its own definition in the regulations, so check it if you carry a bow or crossbow as well as, or instead of, a firearm.

The regulations add that this restriction applies to all hunters, including bird game hunters. So if any big-game season is open in that unit, it applies to you even if you're after grouse.

The exceptions

• Going to or from an isolated campsite. The rule doesn't apply if you're travelling on a direct route between a place you can reach with a highway vehicle and your isolated campsite, and your weapons and ammunition are out of view in separate locked containers that stay locked for the whole trip.
• Spring bear or cougar only. The rule doesn't apply in a WMU when the only open big-game season is a spring black bear season or a cougar season.

What still applies all day, everywhere

• No loaded firearm in or on any vehicle, moving or stopped. A magazine can hold ammunition only if it isn't attached to the firearm.
• No shooting a weapon from a vehicle.
• No harassing, injuring or killing wildlife with a vehicle.
• Public Land Use Zone rules, including staying on designated trails where a zone has them, even when you're retrieving game.

How hunters plan around it

• Ride in early, hunt on foot. Ride to your starting point with no weapon on the machine during restricted hours, or time your ride for the afternoon.
• Use locked, out-of-sight storage if you're heading to an isolated campsite, and keep the firearm and ammunition in separate locked containers.
• Check your unit. Make sure you know whether the area you're hunting falls inside WMUs 400 to 446, and whether it's also in a PLUZ.

For the full set of hunting rules that touch ATVs and side-by-sides, see our overview of Alberta hunting rules for ATVs and side-by-sides, and run through the hunt rig checklist before you go.

This is a plain-language summary. The Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations and the Wildlife Act and regulations are the official sources, and rules can change each season.