The Alberta Fish and Game Association is a volunteer-based, not-for-profit charitable organization that advocates the common interests of ethical hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts dedicated to the responsible stewardship of Alberta’s environment. The AFGA is recognized by all levels of government as the official spokesmen for organized hunters and anglers interested in the conservation of fish and wildlife.

In one form or another, the AFGA has been active since 1908, however, it wasn’t until November of 1946, that the AFGA was registered under the Alberta Societies Act.

The association has a total membership exceeding 19,000 representing approximately 100 affiliated fish and game clubs in over 100 Alberta cities, towns and villages throughout the province. Members range in age from 12 years to over 65 years in age and cover a broad cross-section of a urban/rural demographic make-up. Policy and direction is established by a 15 member volunteer executive and governed by a five-member senior executive. The association is administered through a head office in Edmonton by a staff of approximately ten full-time administrative and habitat staff.

The AFGA is a founding member of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and maintains a fraternal relationship with all provincial affiliates.

Objectives:

It is the objective of the Alberta Fish and Game Association to:

1. Promote conservation of our natural resources;
   
2. Foster and promote the non-commercial harvest of fish and game as a legitimate part of an overall wildlife management program;
   
3. Develop and promote educational and recreational programs and activities;
   
4. Promote and assist in the sound long term management of Alberta’s fish and wildlife in the best interest of all Albertans including future generations;
   
5. Insist on continued public ownership of all public lands and wildlife;
   
6. Obtain and maintain access to public lands;
   
7. Publicize the importance of fish and wildlife and proper resource management;
   
8. Work with government, industry, and other organizations in local programs, supporting the enhancement, development and maintenance of habitat for all species of fish and wildlife and other natural resources;
   
9. Promote outdoor ethics and safety; and
   
10. Make Albertans aware of the dangers of all forms of pollution, to prevent pollution, and to co-operate with all groups with similar objectives.

International Guiding Principles:

The AFGA adheres to the three international principles of resource conservation, developed by the World Conservation Strategy:

1. Maintain essential ecological processes and life support systems.
   
2. Preserve genetic diversity.
   
3. Ensure the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems.

Code of Ethics:

Ethical Outdoor Persons:

1. Will know and strictly obey all fish and game laws and all other laws governing the conduct of the outdoors activity or recreation being pursued.
   
2. Will support and actively participate in organizations concerned with the welfare of the resources upon which their recreations depend – the fish, the wildlife, the land, and the air and the water and shall always be vigilant that their knowledge of and skills in the recreation and understanding of the quarry, if any, are of the highest order and shall ensure that their own activities and those of others are not unfair and do not harm the resources generally.
   
3. Will consider and respect the rights and concerns of the public generally and practice their recreations with strict observance of the rules (i.e. firearms safety in hunting).
   
4. Will respect, preserve and protect private property, particularly the land, property and rights of private land owners.
   
5. Will engage in their recreations only with other ethical participants and will treat those other participants with courtesy and respect, unless and until individuals demonstrate they are unworthy of such consideration.
   
6. Will strive always, individually and through organizations, to pass on to the next generation the knowledge, skills and ethical traditions of various outdoors recreations.

Membership Categories:

There are seven different classifications of AFGA Membership:

1. Regular Membership: Open to individual 18 years of age and older that currently reside in the Province of Alberta and belong to an AFGA affiliated club.
   
2. Direct Membership: Open to individual 18 years of age and older that currently reside in the Province of Alberta and do not belong to an AFGA affiliated club.
   
   Direct Membership Fees:
   
   $35.00 per Direct Member for one year
   $70.00 per Direct Member for two years
   $105.00 per Direct Member for three years
   
   Direct Family Membership Fees:
   
   $55.00 per Family for one year
   $110.00 per Family for two years
   $165.00 per Family for three years
   
   
3. Honourary Membership: Awarded by the Executive, this non-voting member is entitled to full participation in association activities.
   
4. Life Membership: Awarded by the Executive, this membership is restricted to individuals who, through long service to the association or through other contributions to the aims and objectives of the association, merit in the opinion of the association, special recognition for their services. As such, these members are entitled to attend, participate in, and vote as a delegate-at-large.
   
5. Family Membership: Open to affiliated club members, the family membership constitutes one regular member, one associate member and any junior member 18 years of age and under.
   
6. Youth Membership: Open to individuals under 18 years of age who currently reside in the Province of Alberta.
7. Corporate Membership: Corporations or interested individuals can join the Alberta Fish and Game Association by way of a Corporate Membership. At present, the corporate membership rate is $250.00 plus applicable GST.
   
8. Associate Membership: If one member of a family has a regular membership in an affiliated Alberta Fish and Game club, any other member of said family, 16 years of age or over and living in the same household as the regular member, may purchase an Associate Membership. Any member of said household under the age of 16 years is automatically covered for insurance purposes under a parent membership.