Can someone give me a run down of how hunting works for Non Resident Aliens in the canadian provinces? I am from Iowa and have heard all big game hunting in Canada requires a guide, is that true?

I am interested in whiteails, muleys, pronghorn, elk, wolves etc. Just about anything really. SHEEP are my ultimate quest, but might require a bank robbery...

Hunting on a budget always seems like a touchy subject, but whenever I hear the word 'guide' the dollars signs start going up and usually end out of my price range. I guess I am spoiled to be able to hunt DIY in the western US and keep the prices lower, but the down side is that more and more people are doing this and tags are becoming harder to obtain. Just looking at all my options in order to be able to big game hunt somewhere each year.

Thanks for any information and insights you care to share.

In Alberta non-resident aliens can be hunter hosted for some species by a resident of Alberta. No remuneration of any kind is permitted and tags are limited and must be applied for well in advance. Sheep along with a few other species are off the list for non-resident aliens. From our regs:

A Hunter Host
•Must be an adult resident, and be eligible to hold recreational hunting licences.
•Must be the holder of a valid WIN and Hunter Host Licence (below).
•may not provide services for gain or reward, or accept remuneration, directly or indirectly, for such services.
•may host a maximum of two (2) hunters/year, either Non-residents (Canadian), Non-resident Aliens or a combination thereof. If hosting 2 Non-resident Aliens, at least 1 must be a relative.
•may host Non-resident Aliens only if the host has not hosted a Non-resident Alien in the previous two (2) fiscal years (April 1 to March 31).
•must report to the Fish and Wildlife Division by December 31 in the year of harvest all hunting activities by the Non-resident Aliens he or she hosted. A report must be submitted even if the hunter doesn’t harvest an animal.
•must accompany the hunter(s) named on his or her Hunter Host Licence while they are hunting big game under the authority of the Hunter Host Licence.

Hunter Host Licence
A resident who wishes to be a Hunter Host may purchase a Hunter Host Licence online at albertarelm.com or at any licence issuer. You must have the WIN(s) of the non-resident(s) at the time of purchase. You must ensure that the hunters you host are named on your Hunter Host Licence. If you purchase your Hunter Host licence naming one hunter and you decide to add a second hunter to your licence at a later date, you can do so at no additional charge. Return to albertarelm.com or to a licence issuer with your licence and have it amended. Once you have purchased your Hunter Host Licence, the hunters may purchase their licences.

A Hunter Host who plans to take a non-resident alien hunting must do the following:
1.Go to a Fish and Wildlife Division office in person and initiate an application (including statutory declaration). Sign it and have your signature sworn. If your Non-resident Alien is not a relative, you must start this process by August 31 or February 28 as described above.
2.Have the Non-resident Alien sign the application and have his or her signature sworn. If the Non-resident Alien does not have a WIN, have him or her fill out a WIN application at the same time.
3.Take the completed application to a Fish and Wildlife Division office. The application will be reviewed for final approval and keyed into the automated licensing system.
4.When you are notified that your application is approved, go online at albertarelm.com or to any licence issuer and purchase your Hunter Host Licence (see above) and the appropriate Wildlife Certificate and licences.

Non-resident Aliens who hunt with a Hunter Host may obtain Antlered White-tailed Deer, Antlered Mule Deer, Antlered Moose, Antlered Elk, Black Bear Special Licences and Wolf/Coyote Licences (see table below) online at albertarelm.com or at any licence issuers.


Non-resident aliens may not participate in any of the special draws or hold a special draw licence.

From my experience with bear and caribou; you have to have a guide; DIY hunting is impossible, I think. Or know someone well, as sheephunterab said.