Hunts

Hunting is permitted in the USA and Canada, however regulations and permits imposed at both the federal and state level exist to protect wildlife. Hunting is a popular pastime, hobby, and way of life that is an established and recognized across North America. There are many opportunities for hobbyists, enthusiasts, and first timers to get started and experience hunting.

Permitted Animals for Hunting

• Big game animals: all types of deer, antelope (only in Alberta and Saskatchewan), bison (buffalo), black bear, caribou, elk, grizzly bear, moose, muskox, polar bears (special restrictions apply), seals, wild boar
• Small game animals: bighorned sheep, cougar, coyote, foxes, goat, rabbit, wolves
• Game birds: ducks, geese, grouse, partridge, pheasant, snipe, turkey, waterfowl, woodcock

Hunting Seasons

Hunting takes place all year round in Canada, but a hunting season depends on the type of animal hunted and where the hunting is taking place.

Big game animal season

The big game season takes place from August to December (except bison and polar bear).

• Black bear hunting generally takes place in British Columbia and Alberta in the autumn (sometimes also in the spring). Black Bears can only be hunted in the autumn in Ontario
• Grizzly bear hunting takes place in the west of Canada and is very limited by number and time restrictions (usually only for one month during early summer – May/June)
• All types of deer are hunted throughout Canada, from August to the end of November. Seasons vary depending on the province
• Moose are mainly hunted during the rut of mid-September to mid-October across Canada
• Bison (buffalo) hunting typically takes place in February and March in Alberta, Yukon and more northern parts of Canada
• Polar bear hunting is only allowed by local indigenous people using traditional means, but there are opportunities for non-indigenous hunters to join them on a hunt. Hunts usually take place very late in the winter or early spring (early February to April) in the north of Canada, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
• Seals are generally hunted from November to May in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador

Small game and game birds

• Bighorn sheep are typically hunted during the winter in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia
• Ducks, grouse and small game are usually hunted during all seasons across Canada: ducks and geese are typically hunted at the beginning of the migratory season in September and October. Special provincial restrictions apply to the hunting of migratory birds – restrictions apply to the province and also the municipality
• Waterfowl are typically hunted during autumn and early winter
• Wolves and cougars are generally hunted during the winter across Canada; special licences are required to hunt wolves

Hunting Restrictions

A person may not:

• Hunt in provincial parks or National Parks or any other protected habitat
• Hunt big game, moose, deer or black bear when these animals are swimming
• Hunt specially protected birds and other wildlife
• Hunt polar bear unless a person is an indigenous person or accompanied by an indigenous guide
• Hunt newborn harp seals or hooded seals