The Alberta Minister’s Special Licence Auction (MSLA) permits are premier opportunities that allow the buyer to hunt at the best possible times with their choice of weapon, anywhere in Alberta where a season for that species exists. MSLA permits can be purchased by a non-resident or Alberta resident, but a non-resident is required to use the services of an outfitter.
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Funds derived from the sale of these special licences are distributed through a granting process led by a multi-stakeholder committee. For more information on grants issued from the Minister’s Special Licence Auction (MSLA) Fund, please click here.
Alberta Minister’s Special Licence (MSL) – BIGHORN SHEEP
Alberta has long had a reputation for maintaining the healthiest and most robust Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep populations in the world! If you know trophy bighorn sheep, you know Alberta; our genetics are second to none! That’s why Alberta, in the name of conservation, has shared over 700 of our sheep with 11 states and one province over the past few decades.
An Alberta ram held the world record for 89 years before breaking its own record in 2000 and then again in 2015; Alberta still boasts nine of the top 25 bighorn sheep ever taken! Still capable of producing 200-inch-plus rams, this highly coveted Alberta’s Minister’s Special License got even better in 2022! With encouragement from the Alberta Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation and help from the Alberta Professional Outtters Society (APOS), this permit is open to YEAR-ROUND HUNTING.
This Minister’s Special Licence allows the buyer an unprecedented opportunity to hunt at the best possible times, with any weapon, extending their chances to a full 365 days of unparalleled possibilities. Don't miss your chance to bid on this world-class hunt with its new and improved conditions.
Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF)
Dates/Location: January 22-24, 2026, Reno, NV
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP
Photo courtesy of LC Outfitting
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – MOOSE
Alberta is home to a thriving population of moose. The top six Canadian moose shot in Alberta have all scored over 220 inches, with the largest scoring a whopping 226”. Three of those moose are on the Boone & Crockett list of the top 10 Canadian moose of all time. Safari Club International (SCI), meanwhile, classies the moose found in the southwest corner of Alberta as Shiras moose, with 4 of them having scored in the top 20 all-time. Whether you opt for a fly-in tent camp, a remote river canoe trip, a horseback hunt in the mountains, or a prairie hunt supported by ATVs, you will enjoy a once in a lifetime moose hunt. This is an opportunity to hunt either species in one of the most famous moose hunting regions in the world!
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
Bid here: ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, MOOSE
Photo courtesy of Rogue Venture
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – MULE DEER
Recognized as one of North America’s premier mule deer hunting destinations, Alberta’s genetics produce some of the continent’s greatest trophy mule deer. From the farmland of northern Alberta to the open grassland and coulee habitat of the south, to the Rocky Mountain foothills, Alberta’s outtters consistently put record book deer in front of their hunters. Alberta has long held the world record for non-typical mule deer, a 355 1⁄4-inch monster whose score will likely never be topped. The 2022 Minister’s Special License holder took a giant buck scoring almost 280, non-typical inches.
Alberta presents the most diverse mule deer hunting experience available anywhere. Hunting conditions and styles can vary greatly, depending on the season and area hunted. From horseback hunting or hiking to spot-and-stalk style hunting as you roll around vast landscapes glassing thousands of acres of highly productive habitat; every situation may warrant a dierent technique, depending on where you find the buck of your choice, but our skilled outtters know how to find big deer and get you the best opportunity at your Alberta monarch.
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
Hosted by Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (SFW) and the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF)
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
Bid here: ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, MULE DEER
Photo courtesy of Clay Creek Hunting
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
A carefully managed big game species, Alberta is home to some of the largest pronghorn antelope in North America. Over the years, many Alberta pronghorn antelope have ranked highly in the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young records. Expectations of heavy bucks in the mid 80 inch range are reasonable. Our outtters employ a range of hunt strategies, including spot-and-stalk, decoying, and blinds at water holes. On every hunt you can expect to see a multitude of game and enjoy some of the nest prairie grassland scenery on the continent.
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
Bid here: ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, PRONGHORN ANTELOPE
Photo courtesy of Great White Holdings
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – ELK
Spectacular terrain and scenery, and a rapidly growing population await the elk hunter visiting Alberta. Home to the Rocky Mountain elk subspecies, bulls are highly responsive to calling during the rut from late August through to early-October. Through the rest of the year, trophy bulls can be found in small bachelor herds, offering a unique spot-and-stalk hunt. Mountain, foothills, prairie, and forest hunts are all available, and equally productive; select the hunt that best suits your personal taste and capability, or hire an outtter that monitors all regions. As recently as 2020 a bull scoring 449 1⁄2” B&C was taken in Alberta... you could be the next to capitalize on our growing herds and strong genetics!
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
Bid here: ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, ELK
Photo courtesy of McNeice Outfitting Ltd
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – WHITETAIL DEER
Recognized as one of North America’s premier whitetail deer hunting destinations, Alberta, Canada is home to three of the top ten typical and non-typical deer ever taken; no other single state or province on the continent has more deer on the lists!
Whitetail deer in Alberta inhabit almost every inch of the province, with extremely high potential in every region for harvesting a top-notch specimen wherever you choose to go. With this permit, early season whitetail that are normally reserved for bowhunters can be hunted with any weapon, using any method, with tree stand hunting prevailing.
In the full swing of the rut in November, hunters with all weapons can take advantage of cold weather and extremely mobile deer. Many archery hunters endure long tree stand and blind sits in the rut, to capitalize on bucks' intense rutting behavior, while employing tactics such as rattling and bleating to draw in dominant bucks. Rifle hunters can enjoy hunting the expansive prairie, watching great populations of deer feed, chase and spar while they plan their stalks. Few whitetail hunters leave Alberta without seeing many intense sparring matches - truly a moment in nature that you will never forget. With the ability to hunt August 25, 2026 to August 24,2027, the buyer of the Minister's Special License (MSL) can take advantage of winter months after the general season closes, where hunting pressure on whitetails is non-existent. With no timing, weapon, or zone restrictions, this permit presents the best possible opportunity to harvest a record book whitetail deer in one of the finest regions in which they thrive.
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
Bid here: ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, WHITETAIL DEER
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – COUGAR
Alberta, Canada is known as one of North America's premier cougar hunting destinations, and we have definitely earned this reputation!
Holding the #1, #2, #8, and #10 spots in the Safari Club International (SCI)Record Book and the #3 and #5 spots in the Boone & Cougar hunting in Alberta is almost exclusively done with the use of hounds, with the thrill of targeting large tracks in fresh snowfall with the help of your host outfitter. Alberta's climate through these months is dependably cold and wintry, with a high probability of fresh snowfall coming through on any given night. With some of the largest cougars having been taken in their densely populated habitats close to major municipalities of Calgary, Edmonton, and Canmore, cougar hunting in Alberta is as accessible and as prime as it gets. With a long season beginning on December 1, and running through the end of February, there is plenty of time for cougar hunters to pick their dates and be selective in their harvest. With this Minister's Special License, you have the opportunity to get out earlier than most hunters, and stay out beyond the season dates, as the permit runs from August 25 to August 24.
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Online bidding is avalilable through the following link:
Bid here: ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE, COUGAR
ALBERTA MINISTER’S SPECIAL LICENCE (MSL) – TURKEY
There are currently no non-resident wild turkey opportunities in Alberta, and a limited number of tags available to Alberta residents; this permit represents the only opportunity for non-residents to hunt our growing Merriam’s turkey population, in one of the most unique settings available anywhere on the continent! Participants in this hunt will enjoy tremendous scenery and terrain and encounter a multitude of other species while hunting. This is an opportunity for a truly one-of-a-kind turkey hunting experience.
Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
February 12-15, 2026, Salt Lake City, UT
Photo courtesy of Porcupine Creek Outfitters Ltd
For more on the Alberta resident MSL draws and the corresponding grant funding, please visit www.ab-conservation.com.
For the 2026 Alberta Minister's Special Licence official auction descriptions, please click on any species below: