Canadian hunters hit hard by pandemic, get some relief

Travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic have hit tourism industries hard around the world, and in Alberta have created a particularly difficult year for hunting outfitters, reports Yahoo News Canada

In an effort to help the industry, the Alberta government passed two temporary amendments earlier this month to boost business, alongside a number of permanent changes the province has been working toward for more than half a decade.

The changes come as a relief to Steve Overguard, one of the owners of Alberta Adventures, reports the CBC.

Overguard’s business offers hunting and fishing tours, and he said they lost more than $150,000 this spring after the Canada-U.S. border closed. With the border to remain closed until at least Sept. 21, outfitters will continue to go without their usual American clients.

Overguard said allowing Albertans to take guided tours and refunds from the province will help Alberta Adventures continue to operate.

The temporary amendments allow Alberta residents to participate in guided hunts that are normally designated for non-residents.

The business has always relied on American dollars, Overguard said, but the pandemic has created problems, unlike anything he has dealt with before.

“Our industry really goes up and down with the world economy. This is undoubtedly the very lowest we have ever got, by far.”