Changes to Migratory Game Bird Hunting Rules

Summary#

These are final regulations (SOR/2024-129) that change hunting season dates and bag/possession limits for migratory game birds in Canada for the 2024‑2025 and 2025‑2026 seasons. They correct a few drafting errors and make region-by-region adjustments to who can hunt when and how many birds may be taken. The regulations came into force on June 10, 2024 and were published in the Canada Gazette on June 19, 2024.

What it does#

• Fixes an omission so that beneficiaries of the Inuvialuit Final Agreement can hunt migratory birds and harvest their eggs year‑round without permits, as was intended.
• Corrects wording and minor errors in the hunting tables (including some French text fixes and clarifications about “Provincial Wildlife Management Units”).
• Adjusts season dates, daily bag limits and possession limits across several provinces and territories. Major patterns include:
  • Many Atlantic provinces move from vague or “third‑Saturday” style dates to fixed calendar dates and extend duck seasons up to the maximum of 107 days in some places.
  • Daily bag limits for American Black Duck are increased in several regions (for example, to 6 in parts of Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic provinces).
  • A new eider season with a daily bag limit of 6 and a possession limit of 12 for Eiders + Scoters combined was added in Western Labrador.
  • Saskatchewan removes a half‑day hunting restriction so hunters can take dark geese (Canada, Cackling, White‑fronted) all day during the open season.
• Clarifies some provincial management unit references and corrects earlier drafting errors so seasons will consistently be 107 days where intended.
• No regulatory changes were made for Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut for these two seasons.

Who's affected#

• Hunters who hold a federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting permit (these are the people most directly affected by season dates, daily bag limits and possession limits).
• Hunting outfitters and tourism businesses in areas where seasons or bag limits are increased (they may see more opportunity).
• Provincial and territorial wildlife managers and enforcement officers who apply and explain the new rules.
• Indigenous peoples who exercise section 35 rights are not limited by these changes (the rules already recognize that they may hunt year‑round without federal bag or season limits).
• General public and bird watchers could notice changes in hunting pressure locally; the Department says it expects no major negative impacts.

Why it matters#

• Practically, many hunters get more days or a larger daily limit for certain species (notably American Black Duck), and some zones get new or clarified seasons (for example, eiders in Western Labrador).
• The government says these changes are based on population surveys and international management agreements and will be monitored each year to protect bird populations. If hunting pressures threaten conservation goals, seasons and limits can be tightened again.
• There is a small expected cost to government to update materials and communications (about $1,700) and routine enforcement effort. Fines for serious violations can range from $5,000 to $300,000 for designated offences.
• If you hunt migratory game birds, check the updated season dates and limits for your province or territory before you go hunting for the 2024‑2025 and 2025‑2026 seasons.