Duck bag limits fixed for Units 88–95

Summary#

The final rule Regulations Amending the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 (Miscellaneous Program) (SOR/2024-197) fixes a missing phrase in the English text of the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. The correction clarifies daily duck limits for certain wildlife management units and took effect on October 4, 2024.

What it does#

• Replaces a portion of subparagraph 4(a)(ii) in Table 1 of Part 6 of Schedule 3 of the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 (English version) so it matches the French version.
• Sets the daily bag limit for ducks in Provincial Wildlife Management Units 88 to 95 at 6 ducks, with limits on specific species:
  • no more than 1 Barrow’s Goldeneye, and
  • no more than 3 American Black Ducks.
• States the amendment came into force on the day it was registered (effective October 4, 2024).
• Notes this is a technical correction. It does not create new costs for businesses or change existing limits from the French text.

Who's affected#

• Hunters who hunt ducks in Provincial Wildlife Management Units 88 to 95 are the main group affected.
• Enforcement officers and provincial wildlife managers who use the regulations for compliance and licensing may also rely on the clarified wording.
• The source does not say which province(s) contain Units 88 to 95, so it’s unclear exactly which local communities will notice this change.

Why it matters#

• The change removes a mismatch between the English and French regulatory texts. That reduces confusion about how many ducks — and which species — a person can legally take in those units.
• Clear rules help hunters follow the law and help enforcement apply limits consistently.
• This is a minor, technical correction rather than a new policy or a change in hunting limits beyond what the French text already specified.