In an effort to curb reckless gun use in the popular Ghost Public Land Use Zone, Alberta Forestry and Parks has imposed a temporary firearms ban. The restriction, which took effect on August 29, aims to restore order in the Ghost River area and along TransAlta Road, where there have been increasing concerns over unsafe firearm practices.
The ban comes after years of advocacy by local officials and stakeholders, including MD of Bighorn Reeve Lisa Rosvold. “The conversation around better management of safe and lawful gun use started almost three years ago when someone was target shooting at an exploding target, causing a wildfire,” said Rosvold. “When our fire crew went to extinguish the fire, the people shooting refused to stop, even though they were dangerously close to our firefighters.”
The Ghost zone, located west of Cochrane and east of Banff National Park, has developed a reputation for unsafe recreational gun use, with many former visitors now avoiding the area. “I’ve heard from people in the Bow Valley and beyond who no longer feel safe camping or hiking in the area,” Rosvold added.
While the MD initially focused on broader land use management issues like waste control, the conversation has increasingly turned to public safety concerns related to firearm use. “The near misses and unsafe incidents are happening more frequently,” Rosvold said.
The temporary ban is expected to last at least 30 days, with the potential for extension. Conservation officers, government staff, and RCMP will patrol the area to enforce the restriction, and information kiosks and signage will be placed along TransAlta Road.
Hunting, as defined by the Wildlife Act, is still permitted in the closure area, but all other firearm use is prohibited. Existing regulations in the Ghost zone already restrict shooting within 400 meters of provincial trails, except for legal hunting. Shooters are also required to ensure they have a clear backstop, such as a hill, to prevent stray bullets.
Brad Milne, treasurer of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) Alberta chapter, expressed measured support for the temporary ban but called for thorough consultation on the future of firearm use in the area. “Many of us own guns and recreate responsibly, both as hunters and sport shooters. We advocate for safe, ethical, and reasonable land access,” Milne said.
The province introduced similar firearms restrictions in the McLean Creek and Kananaskis Public Land Use Zones in 2016, where firearm discharge is prohibited within one kilometer of roads, with an exception for licensed hunting. Milne suggested that establishing an official shooting range in the Ghost area could help reduce negative interactions between gun users and other outdoor enthusiasts.
The Ghost Watershed Alliance Society, which focuses on preserving the local ecosystem, has also encountered safety issues due to stray bullets. “We’ve had close calls with shooting near our outdoor education programs, and sometimes we’ve had to make detours to ensure the safety of our groups,” said Marina Krainer, the society’s executive director.
The watershed alliance and its partners, including the BHA and the Calgary ATV Riders Association, have increasingly shifted their focus from cleaning up campsites to cleaning up target shooting sites, as target shooting has become more prevalent in the area over the past decade.
Rosvold noted that while the province has suggested the idea of creating an official gun range, no formal discussions have taken place.
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