The RMA is wanting a better grizzly bear management to help keep people and animals safe. Photo by Keith Driver
Grizzly bears are a common part of the foothills, mountains, and boreal regions of the province.
Currently, their range includes area in and near the Rockies and in some boreal forests of north-central and northwestern Alberta.
When grizzly bears are out searching for food, they can be attracted to human settlements and agricultural areas, which increases the potential for human-bear conflict.
In incidents of bears coming into conflict with humans, the grizzly has an increased risk of being killed or trapped to be relocated, and according to the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA), the annual rate of conflict has been increasing in some areas of the province, which they say is likely due to recovering grizzly populations.
The RMA goes on to say that due to the increasing number of grizzlies and the expansion of their territories, there is an increased safety issue for rural residents in the grizzly bear habitats, because grizzlies are becoming increasingly habituated to living within proximity to humans, cand bear encounters are increasing.
“Adding to this problem is that the Government of Alberta has continued to cut the budget for Conservation Officers and problem wildlife specialists,” the RMA stated online about grizzlies. “We currently have only one officer within the Municipality of Pincher Creek. for whom it is difficult to keep up with the number of problem bear calls, let alone handle the rest of their required duties.”
Over the past decade, grizzly activity has increased steadily across Southern Alberta, including the Foothills-Little Bow region.
According to the RMA, as the grizzly population grows, communities in southern Alberta have seen a significant increase in human-bear interactions, as residents, ranchers, and municipal staff report bears approaching homes, entering outbuildings, breaking into grain bins, and preying on livestock.
On top of that, residents are feeling uncertain about if and when they are allowed to legally defend themselves and their livestock.
Due to the increased risk of grizzly encounters, the RMA is wanting the government to implement an improved grizzly bear management plan to ensure human and livestock safety from grizzlies.
Kara Westerlund, President of the RMA, explains more.
What this resolution is asking for is a multi-faceted approach on how to deal with grizzly bears.
On September 25, 2025, Cardstone County and the M.D. of Pincher Creek sent a letter to the Minister of Forestry and Parks, which highlighted concerns around human-grizzly interactions.
In the letter, they highlight a bear attack on a local fisherman just south of Cardston, how Cardston County summer staff were charged by a grizzly while spraying weeds along the river in the Kimball area, and more.
Westerlund explains more.
Westerlund explains more about how they came up with the proposed management plan.
Currently, hunting grizzly bears in Alberta is only under strict conditions, such as “problem” bears, but not as part of a normal hunting season.
But, part of what the RMA is proposing is issuing more tags for grizzly hunting.
While the RMA’s goal is to keep people safe, there is some push back to what they are proposing.
But, with that said, Westerlund says the provincial government has been great to their organization.
With that, Westerlund reiterates that the RMA is not just asking for more bears to be hunted.
To learn more, click here.
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