It was-NOT always so... there was a time things were no different here than where you guys are. Governments through the 50's onward to today have whittled away at handgun use and left us with the limits we're stuck with today. As it sits, guides & outfitters, trappers, and remotely situated individuals in various sectors can be approved for carry as wildlife defence (& as a trapper for dispatch as well) but that's about where it ends. Hunting itself with pistols of any kind is roadblocked.

There has been and still is somewhat of a push to have things re-written, but current government is hardcore opposite ends of the spectrum so it's an uphill battle on icy slopes with greasy treads.. if you get the drift

The support is here for it from shooters, outdoorsmen and backcountry users of many sorts, and it's gone as far as a vote provincially on more than one occasion at least in certain provinces, but we have yet to see any traction to legislative change. For the time being, no go though. But there may be a glimmer of hope on some fronts in the coming years... rumour has it Alberta is about the nearest to another preliminary vote on "wording" changes pertaining to handgun use, but where that goes and how the feds handle it afterwards depending on its outcome still remains to be seen.

Only time will tell if headway can be made. But here's hoping! Politics plain & simple is what's standing in the way.