Proposed Migratory Game Bird Hunting Changes

Summary#

The Minister of the Environment is proposing changes to the Migratory Birds Regulations that would alter hunting season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and make other small administrative changes for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 hunting seasons. The proposal would also remove the paper signature requirement on the migratory game bird hunting permit and encourage online permit use. This is a proposal and not yet law; comments were invited by February 14, 2022.

What it does#

• Proposes amendments to Schedule I of the Migratory Birds Regulations to:
  • change hunting season and special conservation harvest season dates for certain migratory game birds;
  • set or adjust daily bag limits and possession limits for some species;
  • make other related changes for the 2022–23 and 2023–24 hunting seasons.
• Proposes to eliminate the signature requirement for the migratory game bird hunting permit, making online permits easier to use.
• Includes minor administrative changes to the Migratory Birds Regulations (the notice does not list every small administrative change).
• Explains that Environment and Climate Change Canada reviews hunting rules on a regular (now biennial) cycle but still watches populations yearly and can act faster if needed.
• Provides supporting documents used for consultation, including reports on population status and proposed changes. Comments on the proposal were requested by February 14, 2022.

Who's affected#

• Hunters of migratory game birds in Canada. Proposed changes could change when they can hunt and how many birds they may legally take or possess.
• Provincial and territorial governments and wildlife managers. The department says it consults them on these reviews.
• Conservation groups and other stakeholders who follow or take part in harvest management consultations.
• Communities and sectors dealing with large temperate-breeding Canada Goose populations (the changes aim to reduce related economic impacts and public-safety risks).
• Permit issuers and people who currently use paper permits; the permit-signature change is intended to push users toward online permits.

If it’s unclear who will be affected by a specific change, the consultation documents cited in the notice describe species and rules in more detail.

Why it matters#

• The rules tell you when and how much you can hunt. Changes to seasons and bag limits directly affect hunters’ plans and behaviour.
• Removing the signature requirement should make it faster and easier to get and use a migratory game bird hunting permit online.
• The proposal targets sustainability. Adjusting seasons and limits is meant to keep bird populations healthy and prevent overharvest.
• It also aims to address rising problems from increasing temperate-breeding Canada Goose populations, such as damage, nuisance problems, and safety risks in communities.
• Because this was a notice of intent, it created an opportunity for public comment (deadline February 14, 2022) before any final rules were made.