ACTWS Hunting Mentorship Program

Our Mission

Welcome to the Student Hunting Mentorship Program! Our programming is run through The Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society and Delta Waterfowl under the shared vision to provide upcoming biologists and environmentalists with opportunities to engage in the harvest of wildlife across the province. We strive to give our future wildlife managers and land stewards chances to learn more about animal behaviour and lifestyles, while diving into the intricate relationship between people and wildlife. Above all else, we hope to foster a deep meaningful connection with the land and all of its inhabitants.

Informed decision making improves greatly with diversified perspectives and experiences. For the next generation of biologists coming into this field, we will continue to connect how hunting and angling contributes to conservation projects across the province. In addition to our various events, participants will receive opportunities to network with various wildlife professionals, land users, and fellow students. These experiences greatly enhance material learned in lecture halls and labs, offering hands-on avenues of knowledge exchange.

The acts of hunting and fishing have also been increasingly encountering accessibility issues over the past few generations, creating barriers for youth to participate in a more outdoors-based lifestyle. These include rising equipment costs, difficult access to land, and a lack of mentors. To combat these obstacles, our program is completely cost freeto register and participate in the majority of our events. Additionally, students are never required to bring their own equipment. Often, all that is needed is some water and suitable clothing for the weather. The program caters towards beginners, with absolutely zero experience being required. Many of our participants have never even held a firearm, and are completely able to perform hunts on their own after a season with the program.

This program is coordinated and organized by students for students in Alberta. Founded by Remington Bracher in 2022 while he was studying Conservation Biology at the University of Alberta, the program expands greatly each year. Now a team of student organizers helmed by Norbert Nguyen (Student Director) and Isaiah Mercer (HMP Coordinator) work diligently year-round to offer this immense number of opportunities. The Student Hunting Mentorship Program has around 300 registrants each year, with 200+ participants in our events and 100+ attending hunts. This is made possible with a network of passionate volunteers and partners that dedicate incredible time and effort into sharing their lifestyles with students all around.

Registration

Once registered to our mailing list here, you will receive weekly info about hunts and events to register for. Register for free below.

For any questions, please reach out to student@actws.ca via email.

REGISTER

Schedule & Events

September:

  • Introduction and Regulations Workshop:
    • Come join a brief webinar to meet the organizing team, ask questions and go over important hunting regulations.
  • Hunter’s Education Training:
    • Everyone is supplied with a Hunter’s Education online package from AHEIA. Required to hunt and takes around 4-10 hours.
  • Firearms Training and Gun Range Days:
    • Several events taking students out to local gun ranges to practice aim, go over safety, and get familiar with firearms.
  • PAL Certification:
    • To eventually hunt by yourself and own a firearm, a PAL certification is needed. We offer discounted courses to become certified.

 

October:

  • Upland Bird Hunts:
    • Mentors will take small groups of students out to hunt grouse and pheasant.
  • Waterfowl Hunts:
    • Through local Delta volunteers or outfitters, groups of students will travel out to hunt various species of ducks and geese.
  • Trapping Workshop:
    • Learn how local trappers make a living out of harvesting furbearing animals. Trapping requires great knowledge of the bush, and how to ethically dispatch of wildlife.

 

November:

  • Big Game Hunts:
    • Full day commitments for the more experienced students during the November reading week. Hunts will be run out of the Painted Warriors Camp in Sundre. Additional one day hunts will be displaced throughout November.
  • Hen House Builds:
    • Help Delta Waterfowl build hen houses for to enhance duck survival rates in wetlands across Alberta.
  • Taxidermy Workshop:
    • Join us at the Royal Alberta Museum to preserve your harvested waterfowl.
  • Butchery Workshop:
    • Learn how to process a deer and some insightful cooking techniques with FromTheWild!

 

December:

  • Wrap-up Conversations and Dinners:
    • Share your thoughts on your hunting experiences this season and chat with some wildlife professionals!

 

January-March:

  • Ice Fishing:
    • Free opportunities to fish upon frozen lakes across Alberta. Hosts around 100+ students each year.
  • Wild Game Dinners:
    • The ACTWS hosts an annual Wild Game Potluck where hunters and anglers can bring in some delicious dishes of their best catches throughout the season!
  • Hide Tanning Camp:
    • Learn the traditional practices of hide tanning from Indigenous knowledge holders as we camp out in the forest for a few days.

Q&A

How much experience do I need to participate?

Absolutely zero experience is required to participate in the Student Hunting Mentorship Program. We have a bunch of students each year who have never even held a firearm who register and perform successful hunts by the end of the season. Our program is catered towards beginners and folks completely new to hunting, with events focusing on equipment training and safety before participating in hunts. Mentors will work with students step by step to ensure comfortable and welcoming environments for learning. Upland bird and waterfowl hunts are recommended for beginners. With more intimate and intense hunts such as our big game hunts, we recommend a level of experience with shooting rifles and hunting in general.

 

What if I feel uncomfortable hunting or taking the life of an animal?

Harvesting an animal is never an easy task. Hunters will always tell the story about their first hunt, and the many strong emotions that were felt. If you feel uneasy and uncertain about hunting, our team reaffirms that you never have to pull the trigger. We will always ensure that students take hunts to their own readiness and comfort, without any pressure from mentors to take the shot. Even for students who are certain about abstaining from hunting, we still invite participants to attend our events and hunts to spectate and gain the perspectives.

Our hunts can often be a very emotional event, and we do everything we can to ensure that participants have a safe space to process each step in the hunt as they progress.

 

What are the costs for participation?

There are absolutely no fees for participation in the majority of our events. We are committed to lowering entries of barrier to hunting and fishing and will remove as many costs as possible. The only mandatory costs will be purchasing your own hunting licenses. External events such as the PAL (Firearms Possession and Acquisition License) Certification may also be provided at discounted costs. Everything else including hunter’s education certifications, transportation, guide costs, etc will be covered. Any participants requiring additional financial assistance are encouraged to reach out to our team and we can figure out further avenues of support.

 

What do I need to bring to events?

For the most part, all equipment required will be provided free of cost. We encourage participants to mainly dress for the weather, which may include rainy and/or cold conditions. Additionally, food and drinks are recommended, especially for longer events.

 

Which events should I plan to attend?

There is no recommended or mandatory path of events to follow for participation throughout the program. Especially with busy school schedules, participants can join whichever events that fit their availability. For absolute beginners, it is encouraged to attend our firearm training sessions before registering to any hunts.

 

Do I have to currently be enrolled in a post-secondary institution?

No, we accept recent graduates and occasionally, current wildlife professionals. We believe that perspectives from hunting culture can benefit anyone in the field. We appreciate however, that you disclose whether or not you are currently a student.

 

Do I need be in a biology/environmental related program to participate?

While we encourage anyone with a passion and interest for learning about hunting and wildlife conservation, students in biology/environmental related programs will be prioritized for events due to our mission statement and funding requirements. Since waitlists are typically very long with increasing demand, entry can be difficult if you are not studying within a program related to the wildlife field.

 

If you have further questions, please feel reach out to our Student Director at student@actws.ca via email.

Testimonials

“I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Student Hunting Mentorship Program. To say it was an incredible experience would be an understatement. As someone who was new to hunting. The mentorship program ensured that every aspect of my hunting journey was covered, from learning about the different types of game to understanding proper techniques and safety practices. Not only did the outfitters I was connected with have a wealth of knowledge and experience, but they also took the time to explain things clearly, step by step. Whether it was learning how to track, properly handle gear, or make ethical hunting decisions, they were patient and supportive throughout the entire process. One of the highlights of the program was learning how to shoot a shotgun for the first time with skeet. It was rewarding to see my skills improve and to gain confidence in my abilities. The hands-on experience and one-on-one guidance made a huge difference in my development as a hunter. I highly recommend the Student Hunting Mentorship Program to anyone looking to learn more about hunting or improve their skills. The knowledge and experience I gained have given me the foundation I need to enjoy hunting safely and responsibly for years to come. I'm already looking forward to my next adventure!”
“The Hunting Mentorship Program was an amazing experience for me. Hunting has such a strong barrier to entrance if you don't have close family or friends to learn with or the financial means, and this program allowed me to learn skills I wouldn't have been able to because of cost and not knowing anyone with waterfowl hunting experience. I was able to learn about the whole process rather than just one aspect of hunting, and the additional programs like the taxidermy workshop gave me an even greater appreciation of hunting and trapping. The program also educates about the conservation aspect of hunting and made me realize just how important hunters and trappers are in conservation.”
“The ACTWS Hunting Mentorship is a phenomenal program that provides the opportunity for students to try hunting, learn about how it ties into conservation, and join a wonderful community of welcoming people. I had never shot a gun before the 2023 hunting season. The Hunting Mentorship program educated me on gun safety, hunting ethics, and gave me the chance to get comfortable with firearms. After introductory training I was lucky enough to go on upland bird and waterfowl hunts that would have been impossible to attend otherwise, where I learned a plethora of skills from highly experienced hunters. I finished the season off with a guided big game hunt, where I was lucky enough to get my first white-tail buck. If it weren't for this program, I don't know if I would have ever got into hunting. From learning more about animals and the resource they provide to the unforgettable experiences hunting with friends, the ACTWS Hunting Mentorship is a program I would recommend to any student in the field of biological or environmental science. It is an eye-opening and valuable introductory to hunting, which is an activity that is essential and so prominent in conservation in Alberta.”
“This hunting mentorship program is fantastic! I was lucky enough to go on 2 duck hunts and had a great time. The team worked flawlessly and confidentently, willing to pass on knowledge. I was able to learn hands-on experience, but also learn the 'unspoken courtesies' of sitting in a dug blind with other hunters. You weren't taught just the basics, but the whole experience. Including how to pluck and process your ducks afterwards. Norbert and Remington did a fantastic job planning this and organizing it with X-Field, an outfitting company that is more familiar with southern Alberta. Fantastic experience all around and I hope to attend again this year.”
“This has been an incredible program for teaching how to hunt, fish and provide food for your household. The different workshops and educational opportunities were amazing for learning about the different activities including butchery, trapping, marksmanship and others! I’d love to see this program get more funding so more people can gain this invaluable knowledge of hunting, fishing and more!”
“What an amazing program offered by passionate, knowledgeable and enthusiastic mentors. As someone who has wanted to start hunting for a long time, this program not only offered me my first opportunities to do so but has also equipped me with the knowledge and skill set to continue hunting on my own in the future. I cannot thank Remington, Norbert and all other mentors, organizers, and outfitters that have made this possible.”
“The Hunting Mentorship Program was amazing! As a First Nations person I am trying to reconnect with my culture and participate in more traditional activities. The Hunting Mentorship introduced me to hunting, which I find can be a very difficult activity to get started in. It was great for me as my family that does hunt is located in Ontario, this program helped me learn the basics from how to shoot a gun, to behavior of ungulates. I look forward to learning more about hunting and want to get my firearms licenses so in future years I can hopefully participate in my culture and feed my family.”
“Participating in the Hunting Mentorship Program has been a truly transformative experience for me. I gained valuable knowledge about waterfowl recognition, a skill that requires keen observation and a deep understanding of wildlife. Learning to identify various species not only enhanced my appreciation for nature but also taught me the importance of ethical and sustainable hunting practices. One of the significant milestones during the program was earning my Alberta Hunting Education certification. This achievement gave me the confidence and competence to approach hunting responsibly, ensuring I adhere to safety standards and legal regulations. The comprehensive training provided by the program’s experienced mentors was instrumental in my development. However, the most profound takeaway from the program was understanding the true purpose of hunting: to help maintain ecological balance by controlling animal populations. This perspective reshaped my view of hunting as not merely a sport but as a necessary act of stewardship for our natural environment. I am incredibly grateful to the mentors and organizers who made this journey possible. Their dedication to fostering responsible hunters has left a lasting impact on me, and I feel inspired to contribute to the conservation of Alberta’s wildlife and ecosystems.”

Our Current Partners:

The immense program effort and all of the countless memories made would not be possible without the generous support and donations from our network of partners and volunteers. We would like to thank all of our collaborators below for continuing to provide students with incredible experiences that would be near impossible to find elsewhere. If you or your organization is interested

Delta Waterfowl

We would like to especially express our appreciation to Delta Waterfowl for their continued support across all years of our program. As part of Delta’s University Hunting Program, we are connected to mentors, conservation initiatives, and pools of funding to provide all of these wonderful opportunities. Thank you for your faith in us to perform such a large-scale operation.

Please click here for more info on Delta’s student hunting initiatives.

PO BOX 4990
Edmonton AB
T6E 5G8

info@actws.ca


“Rooted in Wisdom: Deer Aging Techniques”

Embark on a journey of precision and insight with the Lethbridge College Wildlife Analytics Lab (WAL) at the ACTWS Conference in Jasper! Join our workshop, ‘Rooted in Wisdom: Deer Aging Techniques‘, to explore the secrets hidden within wildlife teeth. Explore both the field technique of ‘tooth eruption and wear’ and the laboratory marvel of ‘cementum analysis’ – both dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of ungulate ages. Delve into the heart of these techniques, comparing their accuracy and precision, with a revelation of the superior accuracy of cementum analysis. Learn the art of tooth extraction and witness the seamless process of submitting your own wildlife teeth to the WAL for aging through cementum analysis. Elevate your understanding of deer populations and contribute to the advancement of wildlife knowledge and bolster your resume with applied experience. Participants will gain hands-on familiarity with the field technique of jaw aging, and the lab process of tooth extraction, inspection, preparation, and cementum analysis. Join us in Jasper for a transformative experience at the intersection of field expertise and cutting-edge laboratory analysis!

Facilitated by the Wildlife Analytics Lab, Lethbridge College

Cost: $15

Professional refers to someone who works with wildlife and/or their habitats in a professional setting.

In this context, it is not in reference to a legal professional designation.

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