Proposals to amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations – 2022: consultation document, hunting seasons 2022-2023 and 2023-2024

Proposals to amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations – 2022
Hunting seasons 2022-2023 and 2023-2024
Consultation document

Canadian Wildlife Service
Waterfowl Technical Committee
CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report
Number 56

Background

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is responsible for the conservation of migratory birds in Canada and the management of the sustainable hunting of migratory game birds. The hunting regulations for migratory game birds are reviewed and amended biennially by ECCC, with input from provinces and territories, as well as from various other stakeholders. The population status of migratory game birds is assessed on an annual basis to ensure that the regulations are appropriate, and amendments can be made between review periods, if necessary, for conservation reasons.

As part of the regulatory process to amend the hunting regulations, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) produces a series of regulatory reports:

The first report, Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada, contains population and other biological information on migratory game birds and thus provides the scientific basis for informing management decisions that ensure the long-term sustainability of their population. Every two years, ECCC reviews hunting regulations and publishes the population status report. However, CWS analyzes population trends on a yearly basis to evaluate the status of migratory game bird populations.

The second report, Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations, outlines the proposed changes to the hunting regulations for the next two hunting seasons, as well as proposals to amend the overabundant species regulations and other proposed amendments to the Migratory Birds Regulations. Proposals for hunting regulations are developed in accordance with the Objectives and Guidelines for the Establishment of National Regulations for Migratory Game Bird Hunting (see Appendix A to this report or visit Establishing national regulations for migratory game bird hunting: objectives and guidelines). The consultation document is published every second year, concurrently with the revision of hunting regulations.

The third report, Migratory Birds Regulations in Canada, summarizes the hunting regulations that were approved for the next two hunting seasons. The report is published every second year, concurrently with the revision of hunting regulations.

The three reports are distributed to organizations and individuals with an interest in migratory bird conservation, to provide an opportunity for input on the development of hunting regulations in Canada. They are also available on the ECCC website: Migratory birds regulatory report series.

Regulatory proposals described in the current document, if approved, would be in place starting in September 2022 and remain in effect through winter 2024. It is also proposed to amend the special conservation measures for overabundant geese for spring 2023 and spring 2024. (Note that the regulations for spring 2022 were made into law as part of the fall 2019 process).

Schedule for the development of hunting regulations

The schedule for the development of hunting regulations is based on the requirement to have the hunting regulations made into law by July:

• September through November – The Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report, containing biological information on migratory game birds, is developed. In January, it is distributed and posted on the Government of Canada's website
• October and November – CWS regional offices develop proposals for hunting regulations in consultation with the provinces and territories and interested stakeholders
• January – The Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations report containing the regulation proposals is posted on the Government of Canada's website and distributed to allow for public consultation
• July – Hunting regulations become law
• July – The Migratory Birds Regulations in Canada report, containing the approved hunting regulations, is distributed and posted on the Government of Canada's website
• August – Summaries of migratory birds hunting regulations are available with the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits at Canada Post outlets, independent vendors and on the Government of Canada's website

Migratory game bird hunters are made aware of the migratory game bird hunting regulations at the same time as they receive information on season dates and bag and possession limits, when they purchase their hunting permits.

American Black Duck International Harvest Strategy

The American Black Duck International Harvest Strategy was adopted in 2012 by the CWS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The objectives of the Strategy, based on the principles of adaptive harvest management, are to:

• maintain a Black Duck population that provides consumptive and non-consumptive use commensurate with habitat carrying capacity
• maintain societal values associated with the hunting tradition; and
• maintain equitable access to the Black Duck resource

As such, the Strategy is designed to identify appropriate Black Duck harvest levels in Canada and the U.S. based on the size of the breeding populations of Black Ducks and sympatric Mallards while maintaining equity in Black Duck harvests between the two countries. However, recognizing incomplete control of harvest through regulations, it allows the realized harvest in either country to vary between 40% and 60% of the annual continental harvest.

The Strategy, used to determine the appropriate Black Duck harvest regulations, was first implemented in 2013–2014. It consists of four pre-defined regulatory packages in Canada and three in the U.S. Country-specific harvest opportunities are determined from a set of expected harvest rate distributions defined as regulatory alternatives. Canada developed four regulatory packages (liberal, moderate, restrictive and closed) with the Canadian moderate alternative defined as the 1997 to 2010 mean harvest rate (the reference package). The Canadian packages are as follows:

• liberal: 30% increase in harvest rate over the 1997–2010 mean harvest rate
• moderate: 1997–2010 mean harvest rate (3.5% per year [mean harvest rate for adult males])
• restrictive: 30% decrease in harvest rate below the 1997–2010 mean harvest rate; and
• closed: no Black Duck harvest allowed

The optimal Canadian policy recommendation for the 2021-2022 hunting season is the liberal regulatory package. This recommendation is based on long-term trends in Black Duck and Mallard breeding populations in eastern Canada as well as the estimated effects of hunting on the Black Duck population. Mallards are included in the Strategy because this species hybridizes and competes with Black Ducks on the breeding grounds and may therefore negatively affect the Black Duck population. According to data collected by the CWS and USFWS, the current level of harvest has only a low effect on population levels. The liberal package is therefore the optimal alternative.

Each regulatory package, however, must be implemented for at least three years before changes to the regulatory package will be considered, due to variability in annual harvest rates. In the interim, CWS will continue to monitor harvest rate in addition to the breeding population to ensure that the Strategy continues to meet the objectives stated above.

Management of overabundant geese

Regulatory proposals for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024

The special conservation measures for Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese and the Manitoba Temperate-breeding population of Canada Geese that were implemented in spring 2021 were proposed in the fall of 2019, and made into law in June 2020. Those measures will continue to be in effect in spring 2022. They are posted on the Government of Canada's website : Hunting regulations for migratory birds: provincial and territorial summaries 2021 to 2022.

It is proposed to extend the special conservation season for Temperate-breeding Canada Geese in Manitoba, beginning in spring 2023. There is no proposed changes for Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese.

See the section below for more details about this proposal.

Proposed changes to hunting regulations for the 2022-2023 and the 2023-2024 seasons

The Canadian Wildlife Service and the provinces and territories have jointly developed the regulatory proposals presented here. To facilitate the comparison of changes proposed in this text with current regulations, the summaries of the 2021-2022 Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations are available in Appendix B to this report and at: Hunting regulations for migratory birds: provincial and territorial summaries 2021 to 2022.

Newfoundland and Labrador

No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 hunting seasons.

Prince Edward Island

Three measures are proposed to increase harvest of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese during a period taking place before the Canada Geese North Atlantic population migrants arrive in the Atlantic Provinces. These measures have been considered effective in controlling population growth of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese, and as such reduce conflicts with humans, damage to crops and risks to public safety. Similar measures are being proposed for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Advance the opening date for the September goose season

It is proposed to advance the opening date for the September goose season to an earlier fixed date of September 1st while maintaining the season length as currently in effect (proposed season: Sept. 1 to Sept. 14). This action will continue to allow an opportunity to harvest Temperate-breeding Canada Geese while affording additional protection to migrant Canada Geese from the North Atlantic Population. No changes are proposed for the late fall season.

Increase the daily bag limit for Canada geese during the September goose season

The current daily bag limit for geese is 5. An additional 3 Cackling Geese or Canada Geese, or any combination, may be taken daily currently during the September goose season. It is proposed to increase from 3 to 5 the additional Canada Geese or Cackling Geese, or any combination, that may be taken daily during the September goose season. This would result in the daily bag limit being 10 for Cackling and Canada Geese during the September goose season (increase from 8 to 10). The proposed daily bag limit would be the same as that already in place for Quebec and Ontario.

Increase the possession limit for geese

It is proposed to increase the possession limit from 16 to 20.

Nova Scotia

Three measures are proposed to increase harvest of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese during a period taking place before the Canada Geese North Atlantic population migrants arrive in the Atlantic Provinces. These measures have been considered effective in controlling population growth of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese, and as such reduce conflicts with humans, damage to crops and risks to public safety. Similar measures are being proposed for Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

Advance the opening date for the September goose season

Hunting zone 1

It is proposed to advance the opening date for the September goose season to an earlier fixed date of September 1st (proposed season: Sept. 1 to Sept. 14) while maintaining the season length as currently in effect. This action will continue to allow an opportunity to harvest Temperate-breeding Canada Geese while affording additional protection to migrant Canada Geese from the North Atlantic Population. No changes are proposed for the late fall season.

Hunting zone 2

It is proposed to advance the opening date for the September goose season to an earlier fixed date of September 1^st and reduce the season length (proposed season: Sept. 1 to Sept.14). The days lost would be moved to the front of the late season with a proposed season of October 16 to January 15. This measure will continue to allow an opportunity to harvest Temperate-breeding Canada Geese while affording additional protection to migrant Canada Geese from the North Atlantic Population.

Increase the daily bag limit for Canada geese during the September goose season

The current daily bag limit for geese is 5. An additional 3 Cackling Geese or Canada Geese, or any combination, may be taken daily currently during the September goose season. It is proposed to increase from 3 to 5 the additional Canada Geese or Cackling Geese, or any combination, that may be taken daily during the September goose season. This would result in the daily bag limit being 10 for Cackling and Canada Geese during the September goose season (increase from 8 to 10). The proposed daily bag limit would be the same as that already in place for Quebec and Ontario.

Increase the possession limit for geese

It is proposed to increase the possession limit from 16 to 20.

New Brunswick

Three measures are proposed to increase harvest of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese during a period taking place before the Canada Geese North Atlantic population migrants arrive in the Atlantic Provinces. These measures have been considered effective in controlling population growth of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese, and as such reduce conflicts with humans, damage to crops and risks to public safety. Similar measures are being proposed for Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Advance the opening date for the September goose season

Hunting zone 1

It is proposed to advance the opening date for the September goose season to an earlier fixed date of September 1^st and reduce the season by up to 7 days (proposed season: Sept. 1 to Sept 14). The days lost would be moved to the end of the late season with a proposed season of October 15 to January 14. This measure would maximize allowable hunting days while affording additional protection to migrant Canada Geese from the North Atlantic Population and harmonize with the duck season closing date.

Hunting zone 2

It is proposed to advance the opening date for the September goose season to an earlier fixed date of September 1st and reduce the season by up to 7 days (proposed season: Sept. 1 to Sept 14). The days lost would be moved to the end of the late season with a proposed season of October 1 to December 31. This measure would maximize allowable hunting days while affording additional protection to migrant Canada Geese from the North Atlantic Population and harmonize with the duck season closing date.

Increase the daily bag limit for Canada geese during the September goose season

The current daily bag limit for geese is 5. An additional 3 Cackling Geese or Canada Geese, or any combination, may be taken daily currently during the September goose season. It is proposed to increase from 3 to 5 the additional Canada Geese or Cackling Geese, or any combination, that may be taken daily during the September goose season. This would result in the daily bag limit being 10 for Cackling and Canada Geese during the September goose season (increase from 8 to 10). The proposed daily bag limit would be the same as that already in place for Quebec and Ontario.

Increase the possession limit for geese

It is proposed to increase the possession limit from 16 to 20.

Quebec change

Administrative change to restrictions for the daily bag limit during Waterfowler heritage days in Quebec

It is proposed to correct an error. The restriction of not more than 3 birds that may be taken daily during the Waterfowler Heritage Day should apply to all species or groups of species, including Canada Geese and Cackling Geese.

Ontario

Administrative change to harmonize the daily bag limit for Canada and Cackling Geese during the late season in the southern hunting district

It is proposed to increase the daily bag limit from 5 to 10 for Canada and Cackling Geese in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 95 in the Southern Hunting District during the late February/early March season to correct an administrative oversight. This change will align the daily bag limit in WMU 95 with those for other WMUs without daily bag limit restrictions for Canada and Cackling Geese in the Southern Hunting District. Please note that this regulatory change only applies in municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted by provincial regulations.

Administrative amendment to harmonize the terminology in the Migratory Birds regulations with the provincial regulation

Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Ontario Regulation 663/98 Area Descriptions made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 group general locations in the province into “Wildlife Management Units”. While this Regulation was not translated into French, outreach documents produced by the province of Ontario translate the term, “Wildlife Management Unit” as “Unité de Gestion de la Faune”. In Part VI of Schedule 1 to the Migratory Birds Regulations in the French language version, however, the term used to identify each “Wildlife Management Unit” is “Secteur de Gestion de la Faune”. It is proposed to replace “secteur” by “unité” to address the discrepancy between the wording in the Ontario provincial outreach documents and the federal regulations to avoid any confusion.

Manitoba

Extend the special conservation season for the overabundant temperate-breeding Canada Geese in spring in southern Manitoba

It is proposed to extend the spring conservation season for overabundant Temperate-breeding Canada Geese in southern Manitoba (Game Bird Hunting Zones 3 and 4). The current season takes place from March 1 to 31. The proposed season dates are March 1 to April 10, effective in spring 2023. The daily bag limit and possession limit would remain unchanged. The intent of the special conservation season is to increase harvest rates to slow the growth of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese in Manitoba. These geese cause significant agricultural and private property damage in southern Manitoba and pose significant risks to human safety, both through risk of aircraft and vehicular collisions.

In response to concerns about the size and rapid growth of the Temperate-breeding Canada Goose population in southern Manitoba, and associated environmental and agricultural issues, the population was designated as overabundant in 2020, and a conservation season was established from March 1-31, 2021 (CWS 2019). The season dates were selected based on migration chronology of three goose populations that migrate though Manitoba in spring. Data on migration timing was obtaining using geolocators attached to representative members of each population (Neufeld 2021). Since that time, sample sizes have increased, due to recaptures during banding operations and through recoveries by hunters. Based on updated analyses of spring migration chronology from 2017-2020 (n=51 Temperate-breeding Canada Geese, n=81 Southern Hudson Bay Canada Geese, n=34 Cackling Geese), 53% of the Temperate-breeding Canada Goose population, and only 12% of the Cackling Goose population, and 14% of the Southern Hudson Bay Canada Goose population are estimated to have arrived in Manitoba by April 10. By March 31, only 28% of the Temperate-breeding Canada Goose population is estimated to have arrived in southern Manitoba. The additional period of harvest proposed will expose a larger segment of the population to harvest, and permit two additional weekends of hunting. A survey of hunter harvest during the inaugural spring conservation season (2021) revealed that 34% of the total spring harvest (2956, 95% CL: 2444, 3468) occurred in the last five days of March, and 47% of the total harvest occurred on weekend days (8 in total). While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented participation by non-resident hunters, there were only 704 hunters that participated in the season in 2021 (1090 licenses were acquired). Given the relatively low hunter participation and low seasonal harvest per hunter (4.20 geese, 95% CL: 3.47, 4.93), and considering a high proportion of harvest occurs on weekends, the addition of 10 days (including 2 weekends) will help maximize the overall harvest, and will contribute towards the objective of increasing the harvest of this population.

The impact on other populations is expected to be negligible, but the effect of the season will continue to be monitored using estimates of annual survival and harvest rates, and their trends, which are available from long-term banding programs in place for each population. In addition, overall harvest and hunter participation would be monitored using a survey of spring conservation season participants, conducted by Manitoba Wildlife, Fisheries and Resource Enforcement Branch. The size and trend of the Temperate-breeding Canada Goose population would also be monitored using data from the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey.

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation and Keystone Agricultural Producers have both expressed their support for an evidence-based extension of the spring season to address overabundance of Temperate-breeding Canada Geese in southern Manitoba.

References

CWS. 2019. Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations. CWS Waterfowl Committee, Regulatory Report Number 53. 70 pp.

Neufeld, L. 2021. Comparing migration ecology among geographically distinct populations of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii). Unpublished master’s thesis. University of Manitoba, 109 pp.

Saskatchewan

Remove daily bag limit restriction on White-fronted Geese

It is proposed to increase the daily bag limit for White-fronted Geese from 5 to 8 birds per day, and, likewise, increase the possession limit from 15 to 24. Currently, there is a bag limit of 8 dark geese (Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and White-fronted Geese combined) of which no more than 5 may be White-fronted Geese. Removing the restriction for White-fronted Geese is intended to simplify hunting regulations and provide additional opportunity by allowing an aggregate bag limit of 8 dark geese per day. The effect of the regulatory change on White-fronted Geese harvest in Canada is expected to be low and within acceptable limits that ensure sustainability of the population. A similar measure is being proposed for Alberta.

Lincoln estimates, population estimates derived from harvest and harvest rate estimates, suggest that White-fronted Goose populations have increased greatly over the past several decades (~300% since the 1970s); adult survival rates have also increased over the same time period. Harvest rates over the most recent 10-year period are roughly half of what they were in the 1970s, when the population was less than a third of what it is today. Thus, the population has grown under existing harvest rates, and any additional harvest caused by this regulatory change is not expected to have a noticeable effect on population dynamics of midcontinent White-fronted Geese. Currently, 25-30% of the harvest of midcontinent White-fronted Geese takes place in Alberta and Saskatchewan combined; the remainder takes place in Central and Mississippi Flyway States. Based on an analysis of historic frequency of daily bags of Canada and Cackling Geese with a bag limit of 8, the change is expected to result in an increase of harvest of no more than 10 % in Alberta and Saskatchewan, approximately 7,000 White-front Geese, or a 2 % increase in harvest continentally. At current harvest rates, a 2 % increase would amount to an increase of 0.1% in harvest rate. Given the annual variation and precision in harvest parameters, it is possible that an increase in harvest at the level predicted will not be detectable. However, harvest estimates from Canada’s National Harvest Survey, and harvest and survival rates derived from banding efforts will continue to be monitored for potential effects of this regulation change.

Alberta

Remove bag limit restriction on White-fronted Geese

It is proposed to increase the daily bag limit for White-fronted Geese from 5 to 8 birds per day, and, likewise, increase the possession limit from 15 to 24. Currently, there is a bag limit of 8 dark geese (Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and White-fronted Geese combined) of which no more than 5 may be White-fronted Geese. Removing the restriction for White-fronted Geese is intended to simplify hunting regulations and provide additional opportunity by allowing an aggregate bag limit of 8 dark geese per day. The effect of the regulatory change on White-fronted Geese harvest in Canada is expected to be low and within acceptable limits that ensure sustainability of the population. A similar measure is being proposed for Saskatchewan.

Lincoln estimates, population estimates derived from harvest and harvest rate estimates, suggest that White-fronted Goose populations have increased greatly over the past several decades (~300% since the 1970s); adult survival rates have also increased over the same time period. Harvest rates over the most recent 10-year period are roughly half of what they were in the 1970s, when the population was less than a third of what it is today. Thus, the population has grown under existing harvest rates, and any additional harvest caused by this regulatory change is not expected to have a noticeable effect on population dynamics of midcontinent White-fronted Geese. Currently, 25-30% of the harvest of midcontinent White-fronted Geese takes place in Alberta and Saskatchewan combined; the remainder takes place in Central and Mississippi Flyway States. Based on an analysis of historic frequency of daily bags of Canada and Cackling Geese with a bag limit of 8, the change is expected to result in an increase of harvest of no more than 10 % in Alberta and Saskatchewan, approximately 7,000 White-front Geese, or a 2 % increase in harvest continentally. At current harvest rates, a 2 % increase would amount to an increase of 0.1% in harvest rate. Given the annual variation and precision in harvest parameters, it is possible that an increase in harvest at the level predicted will not be detectable. However, harvest estimates from Canada’s National Harvest Survey, and harvest and survival rates derived from banding efforts will continue to be monitored for potential effects of this regulation change.

British Columbia

No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 hunting seasons.

Yukon territory

No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 hunting seasons.

Northwest territories

No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 hunting seasons.

Nunavut

No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 hunting seasons.

Harvest Management Plan for Mallards in Prairie Canada

Introduction

The Harvest Management Plan for Mallards in Prairie Canada was developed jointly by the Canadian Wildlife Service and the governments of the Prairie Provinces in 2021. Based on long-term declines in hunter numbers, and the small contribution that prairie Canada makes to continental Mallard harvests, this plan aims to prevent unnecessary amendments to the schedule of the Migratory Birds Regulations (hunting regulations), and it will be used to determine the appropriate Mallard harvest regimes.

Mallards are the most commonly harvested duck species in all Prairie Provinces, and they have consistently accounted for more than half of the total duck harvest across the region since 1969. By comparison, no other species of duck accounts for more than 10% of the harvest. Harvest management of Mallards in prairie Canada has been guided by the Prairie Canada Mallard Harvest Strategy (Canadian Wildlife Service 1993), which was drafted following a period of prolonged drought on the prairies, and during an era of much larger hunter numbers. Since the 1970s, major changes have occurred in waterfowl hunter numbers and harvest; active waterfowl hunters in prairie Canada have declined by 73%, from a high of almost 165,000 in 1976, to less than 42,000 in 2018. Over the same time-period, Mallard harvest has declined by 77%, from a high of 1.15 million, to less than 300,000 in 2018.

The old Prairie Canada Mallard Harvest Strategy was recently updated to better document:

1. the use of harvest rate thresholds and minimum population size thresholds for making harvest management decisions, similar to the way they are used in goose management plans
2. annual monitoring requirements; and
3. develop a regionally consistent, transparent approach to the regulation of duck hunting in prairie Canada

Mallard harvest regimes

The Harvest Management Plan is designed to identify appropriate Mallard harvest levels in Canada based on population abundance estimates and harvest rates. The management plan consists of two pre-defined regulatory packages:

Liberal regime

When the 3-year running average of the WBPHS (strata 20-40, 75-77) exceeds 3.4 million Mallards, and the 3-year average harvest rate of adult male Mallards banded and shot in prairie Canada is below 5%, liberal harvest regulations will remain in place, or will be prescribed at the next opportunity for regulatory changes. Changes will be in place for at least one regulatory cycle (2 years).

Liberal regulations are defined as:

• a daily bag limit of 8 ducks, for residents and non-residents, 8 of which may be Mallards of either sex
• a maximum season length of 107 days

Restrictive regime

When the 3-year running average of the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS; strata 20-40, 75-77) falls below 3.4 million Mallards, and the 3-year average of the harvest rate of adult male Mallards banded and shot in prairie Canada exceeds 5%, restrictive harvest regulations will be prescribed at the next opportunity for regulatory changes. Restrictions on bag limit, hunting season dates, or a combination of the two will be imposed, commensurate with the proportion that the harvest rate threshold has been exceeded. Changes will be in place for at least one regulatory cycle (2 years).

There are two distinct restrictive regimes, and they are defined as:

Restrictive-1

Any combination of:

• non-resident daily bag limit of 2-7 ducks (2-7 of which may be Mallards of either sex) and a non-resident season length of 31-107 days

Restrictive-2

Any combination of:

• resident daily bag limit of 2-7 ducks (2-7 of which may be Mallards of either sex) and a resident season length of 31-107 days
• closure of the non-resident season

Restrictive hunting regulations will only be considered in the event of historically low populations of breeding Mallards, coupled with unusually high harvest levels, which collectively have never been experienced over the monitoring history of this population (Figure 1). In the event of restrictive regulations, non-residents (i.e., non-Canadian residents) will incur restrictions first. Non-residents account for about half the total duck harvest in prairie Canada, and provincial policies (Manitoba Department of Mines, Energy, and Natural Resources 1979, Alberta Fish and Wildlife 1982, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment 2017) prioritize resident hunting opportunity. Following the National Guidelines for Establishing Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations (Canadian Wildlife Service 1982), regulations will not discriminate by provincial/territorial residency of Canadian hunters.

Monitoring

For population monitoring purposes, Mallard abundance estimates from strata 20-40 and 75-77 from the WBPHS will be used as an index of population size. Mallard populations in prairie Canada undergo annual fluctuations in response to variation in wetland conditions. The lowest 3-year mean population size was 3.4 million (1984-86), and this will represent the low population threshold for the purposes of this harvest management plan, below which hunting restrictions may be considered (Figure 1). Importantly, the history of monitoring indicates that the population was able to recover to historically high levels after reaching this low in the mid-1980s. The current 3-year mean population size (2017-2019) is 5.49 million Mallards.

Adult male Mallards, banded in prairie Canada in July and August, and recovered in prairie Canada between September 1 and December 21 will be used for monitoring harvest rates. Harvest rates of Mallards in prairie Canada peaked in the late 1960s at 5-6%, declined until the early 1990s, and have been relatively stable at about 1% since then (Figure 1). On a continental scale, harvest rates of adult male Mallards banded in prairie Canada have been relatively stable at about 10% since the early 2000s, but have been greater than 20% during their peak. To determine sample size requirements for Mallard banding to support this harvest management plan, we conducted simulations of precision across various sample sizes using a threshold harvest rate of 5%, and a band reporting rate of 90%. Simulations revealed a coefficient of variation of 10% with ~2500 bandings, and associated 95% CL around a 5% harvest rate were estimated to be +0.9% at 2500 bandings. Therefore, the objective is to band 2500 adult male Mallards each year, distributed across prairie Canada.

Harvest rates and breeding population indices will be updated on a biennial basis, and the harvest management plan will be reviewed and, if necessary, updated or modified every 5 years.

Figure 1. Trends in breeding population size (3-year mean) and harvest rate (adult male; 3-year mean) of Mallards in prairie Canada, in relation to the proposed population threshold (3.4 million) and harvest rate (5%), 1963-2019.

Obtain a copy of the harvest management plan

To request a copy of the Harvest Management Plan for Mallards in Prairie Canada or submit comments, please send an email to : MbregsReports-Rapports-Omregs@ec.gc.ca

References

Alberta Fish and Wildlife. 1982. Fish and Wildlife Policy for Alberta, 26pp.

Canadian Wildlife Service. 1982. Establishing national regulations for migratory game bird hunting: objectives and guidelines.

Canadian Wildlife Service. 1993. Prairie Canada Mallard Harvest Strategy, 16pp.

Manitoba Department of Mines, Energy, and Natural Resources. 1979. Wildlife Policy- General. 4pp.

Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment. 2017. Game Allocation Framework. 8 pp.

Eliminating signature requirement for the Migratory Game Bird –Hunting permit (both physical and electronic forms)

Environment and Climate Change Canada is proposing to eliminate the signature requirement for the Migratory Game Bird Hunting permit (MGBH permit) from the Migratory Birds Regulations (MBR). The expected implementation date of this proposed regulatory amendment would be summer 2022, before August 1, 2022, which is when the MGBH permits become available for sale.

The MBR require that all permits be signed in order for them to be valid. Therefore, everyone who purchases a MGBH permit (physical or electronic) is required to sign it. The MGBH permits are available for purchase either as hard copies (available at many Canada Post outlets and some independent vendors), or electronically through an e-permitting system. The sale of permits electronically (which was put in place in 2014), reduces costs to ECCC associated with the printing, distribution and administration of the physical MGBH permits.

This proposal aims to reduce the administrative costs for the MGBH Permitting program and enhance users experience by removing the need to print the permit (necessary step in order to sign it). It would also be an incentive for hunters to obtain their MGBH permits online through the MGBH e-permitting system, which in turn would improve data for the National Harvest Survey for migratory game bird hunting and provide additional tools for wildlife Enforcement officers.

Your comments are solicited on this proposal.

Status update on the modernization of the Migratory Birds Regulations

Implemented in 1918, the Migratory Birds Regulations (MBR or Regulations) have never been comprehensively updated or revised. As such, the Department is currently undertaking the process of amending the Regulations to:

• increase clarity and facilitate interpretation and compliance by updating outdated language, incorporating current legal standards, eliminating errors, inconsistencies and ambiguities, and restructuring the Regulations
• ensure that the MBR recognize Aboriginal and treaty harvesting rights according to section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982
• improve the ability to effectively manage migratory birds in Canada, in particular, by moving from all migratory bird nests being protected year round, for as long as the nests exist, to protection when they have a conservation value for migratory birds, as well as clarifying and introducing provisions to support current and new policy on migratory game bird hunting management
• address enforcement issues

Consultations were held in 2013-14 with Indigenous groups regarding proposed amendments to the MBR relating to recognition of their section 35 rights and with hunters and hunting organizations regarding the management of migratory game bird hunting. Consultations were also held in 2017 with hunters and hunting organizations on baiting.

These comments were all considered in the development of the regulatory proposal that was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 1, 2019. A public comment period then took place from June 1, 2019 to September 30, 2019. All comments received are being carefully considered by Environment and Climate Change Canada in the development of the final regulations.

It is anticipated that the final Regulations will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II in spring 2022 and come into force in July of the same year.

Please note that until such time as the modernized regulations come into force, the current Migratory Birds Regulations remain in place.

The government of Canada is allowing the temporary possession of dead migratory birds

The Government of Canada wants to inform the public of a variance to paragraph 6(b) of the Migratory Birds Regulations, to allow for the temporary possession of found dead migratory birds, which is in effect until August 20, 2022 (Public notice: allowing temporary possession of dead migratory birds - Canada.ca).

As public participation in the study of dead migratory birds is necessary to help conduct surveys on avian viruses, it is permitted to temporarily possess dead migratory birds to allow for swift delivery of such birds to provincial or territorial authorities for analysis. The Government of Canada is responsible, under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, to ensure that migratory birds are protected and conserved, and testing dead birds is believed to be the most effective method available for the detection of avian viruses.

What to do if you find a dead migratory bird:

Contact the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre by visiting the website at CWHC-RCSF : Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative - Réseau canadien pour la santé de la faune or by telephoning 1-800-567-2033.

Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website for guidance on precautions to take when handling wild birds Fact Sheet: Guidance on Precautions for the Handling of Wild Birds - Canada.ca

Migratory game bird hunting permit – optimizing availability to all Canadians

Point of sale options for Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) permits have evolved over time in order to increase service and optimize availability to hunters. MGBH permits along with the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation (CWHC) Stamps can be purchased:

1. electronically at Migratory Game Bird Hunting E-Permit
2. at select Canada Post corporation outlets (physical permit)
3. at some independent vendors (physical permit)

The MGBH e-Permitting system provides hunters additional convenience and benefits compared to the traditional outlets. The system is accessible to hunters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hunters can purchase a permit including the CWHC stamp online from the comfort and safety of their home, download immediately from the checkout complete page as well as receive electronic copies of the stamp and permit by email. They can print the permit anywhere, and once signed is valid immediately. MGBH permits that were purchased online can also be reprinted if lost or damaged. There have been versions of the Electronic system since 2014 and every year the number of permits purchased online continues to increase. The current version was successfully launched on August 1, 2019, and since then there have been additional enhancements to increase user satisfaction and to promote a robust MGBH e-Permitting system.

It should also be noted that the MGBH e-permitting purchasing system makes it easier for hunters to respond to the questions on the permit, which help inform the National Harvest Survey. Data from this and other CWS surveys are used to assess the status of migratory game bird populations in Canada, their productivity, their survival rates, and the amount of harvest they can sustain. This information also provides data to inform hunting regulations and harvest management plans for future years.

Physical MGBH Permits continue to be distributed and sold through some Canada Post outlets and a select number of independent vendors. Canada Post is the original MGBH permit vendor and continues to offer them in over 4,000 postal outlets. ECCC works closely with Canada Post to promote communication with outlets and manage inventory and distribution. There are also approximately 50 independent vendors across seven provinces that sell the physical MGBH permits. Examples of vendors include Canadian Tire and Cabela’s as well as small local convenience stores and registry offices.

Please report bird bands

North American Bird Banding Program

The North American Bird Banding Program is jointly administered by Canada's Bird Banding Office and the United States’ Bird Banding Laboratory. The program relies on the public to report their observations or recoveries of bird bands and other bird markers to the Bird Banding Office. These data help scientists and wildlife managers better understand, monitor and conserve migratory bird populations by providing information on the distribution and movement of species. Although over 1.2 million birds are banded in the US and Canada each year, only about 10 percent of game bird bands are recovered. Your contribution is important!

How to report band

If you see a marked bird you may contribute to the program by reporting birds online or call toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263) to leave a message. Visit the Report a Banded Bird web page for more details or contact the Bird Banding Office at:

Bird Banding Office
National Wildlife Research Centre.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive (Raven Rd)
Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3

Email: ec.bbo.ec@canada.ca
Telephone: 613-998-0524

Certificate of appreciation

After your information has been submitted, you will receive a certificate of appreciation by email which will tell you the species of bird, where and when it was banded, its age, whether it was male or female, and who banded it. We will tell the bander where and when the bird or band was found and its condition.

Appendices

Appendix A. Objectives and guidelines for the establishment of national regulations for migratory game bird hunting

(Revised June 1999 and updated December 2001 by the Canadian Wildlife Service Executive Committee)

A. Description of regulations

The Migratory Birds Regulations are part of the regulations respecting the protection of migratory birds in general, as mandated by the Migratory Birds Convention. According to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Governor in Council may make regulations providing for:

1. the periods during which, or the geographic areas in which, migratory birds may be killed
2. the species and number of migratory game birds that a person may kill in any period when doing so is permitted by regulation
3. the manner in which migratory game birds may be killed and the equipment that may be used
4. the periods in each year during which a person may have in their possession migratory game birds killed during the season when the taking of such birds was legal, and the number of birds that may be possessed

This document deals with these four aspects of regulation, although the Migratory Birds Regulations deal with other areas as well.

B. Guiding principles

Guiding principles for migratory bird hunting regulations include those laid out in the Guidelines for Wildlife Policy in Canada as approved by the Wildlife Ministers at the Wildlife Ministers Conference, September 30, 1982. In particular, the most relevant principles are:

1. the maintenance of viable natural wildlife stocks always takes precedence over their use
2. Canadians are temporary custodians, not the owners, of their wildlife heritage
3. Canadians are free to enjoy and use wildlife in Canada, subject to laws aimed at securing its sustainable enjoyment and use
4. the cost of management essential to preserving viable populations of wildlife should be borne by all Canadians; special management measures required to permit intensive uses should be supported by the users
5. wildlife has intrinsic, social and economic values, but wildlife sometimes causes problems that require management
6. conservation of wildlife relies upon a well‑informed public

C. Objectives of the Migratory Game Birds Hunting Regulations

1. to provide an opportunity for Canadians to hunt migratory game birds, by establishing hunting seasons. Guidelines for hunting regulations are described in Section D. Briefly, regulations should be based on a number of features specific to the geographic area under consideration. Factors such as the timing of arrival and departure of migrating birds, the status of local breeding populations, fledging of local broods and completion of the moult of successfully breeding females, and other special issues such as the status of species, should be used to determine the most effective hunting regulations. Sometimes regulations may need to be based on the species of highest conservation concern
2. to manage the take of migratory game birds at levels compatible with the species’ ability to sustain healthy populations consistent with the available habitat throughout their range
3. to conserve the genetic diversity within migratory game bird populations
4. to provide hunting opportunity in various parts of Canada within the limits imposed by the abundance, migration and distribution patterns of migratory bird populations, and with due respect for the traditional use of the migratory game bird resource in Canada
5. to limit the accidental killing of a migratory game bird species requiring protection because of poor population status, where there is a reasonable possibility that a hunter might confuse that species with another for which there is an open season
6. to assist, at times and in specific locations, in the prevention of damage to natural habitat or depredation of agricultural crops by migratory game birds

D. Guidelines for the regulations on migratory game bird hunting

1. regulations shall be established according to the requirements of the Migratory Birds Convention and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
2. regulations shall address the principles of Section B and the objectives of Section C
3. unless needs dictate otherwise, hunting regulations will be changed as little as possible from year to year
4. regulations should be simple and readily enforceable
5. where a conflict arises between allocation of harvest among jurisdictions and the conservation of migratory game bird populations, the conservation objective shall take precedence
6. when uncertainty exists about the status of a migratory game bird population, a precautionary approach will be taken in establishing sustainable hunting regulations
7. hunting regulations may not discriminate among Canadian hunters based on their province or territory of residence. This guideline does not preclude recognition of Aboriginal rights
8. regulations should be consistent in jurisdictions where important concentration areas for staging waterfowl straddle borders
9. where possible, regional, national and international harvest strategies will be developed among management agencies that share populations. Regulations will be designed to meet mutual targets for harvest, harvest rate or population size
10. specific regulation changes will be developed through a process of co‑management and public consultation with other interested groups and individuals
11. hunting regulations should be consistent with terms of agreements in Aboriginal land claim settlements

E. Biennial regulatory process

Regulations may be established in one of two ways: selection of a regulatory package from a pre‑established set of possible packages, or through a biannual regulatory consultation process.

Pre-established sets of regulatory alternatives:

Regulatory alternatives may be pre‑established according to the guidelines outlined in section D, with the selection made in any year based on a predetermined set of conditions. For example, a set of three regulatory packages with decreasing harvest rates could be described: liberal, moderate and restrictive. The criteria for selection among the alternatives could be based on the results of population surveys. This method would reduce the time required to conduct the usual process, simplify the implementation of multi‑jurisdictional harvest strategies, and increase the predictability of regulations.

Regulatory process:

The Minister of the Environment must be in a position to proceed with any changes to the Migratory Birds Regulations for the purpose of managing hunting. As a policy decision, the hunting regulations for migratory game birds are reviewed and amended biennially. To ensure that the regulations are made with the best possible advice, a broad process of consultation must be carried out. Reports produced as part of this process may be obtained from Regional Directors, Canadian Wildlife Service, or the Director of Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs Division at the national office of the Canadian Wildlife Service.

1. the National office of the Canadian Wildlife Service publishes a status report on migratory game bird populations in January. This report describes the biological information available to determine the status of each population
2. regional officials (biologists and management) of the Canadian Wildlife Service and provincial and territorial wildlife officials consult with non‑governmental organizations and interested individuals on issues related to hunting regulations, and every two years the CWS prepares regulatory submissions to amend the regulations. To ensure that all parties have access to the best possible biological information, the Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report may be used as an aid
3. the initial suggestions for regulation changes will be developed through regional consultation processes. These processes may vary among regions, but should include active participation by provincial and territorial wildlife agencies, wildlife co‑management boards and affected stakeholders. The changes, with rationale and predicted effect (Section F), are described in a regulation report issued at the beginning of January from the national office entitled Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations. This report allows inter‑regional and international consideration of proposed changes
4. public and organizational comments on the proposals outlined in the Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations report should be sent to the appropriate Regional Director, or the Director of Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs Division at the national office of the Canadian Wildlife Service
5. final regulation proposals, incorporating input from the consultations, are submitted from the Regional Directors to the Director of Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs Division at the national office of the Canadian Wildlife Service, by the end of February
6. the regulation proposals are moved, by the national office, through the regulatory process for consideration by the government beginning in June
7. population surveys are carried out throughout the year. From time to time, these surveys may show an unexpected change in migratory game bird populations that require a sudden revision to the national regulation proposals
8. the final regulations, as approved by the Governor‑in‑Council, are described in a report entitled Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations in Canada, which is distributed to all involved parties in July. Each purchaser of a migratory game bird hunting permit receives a summary of the regulations for that province

F. Items to be addressed in regulatory proposals

Proposals to change migratory game bird hunting regulations should address the following questions:

1. what is the goal of the regulatory change?
2. how does the change address the objectives and guidelines set out in this document?
3. what is the predicted effect of the proposal? An analysis based on existing data sources should be included
4. how will the actual effect of the regulatory change be measured?

The proposals should be as concise as possible, while still including the required elements. A simplified rationale would apply for regulations that carry out previously negotiated harvest strategies and agreements.

Appendix B. Summaries of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations by province and territory, 2021-2022 hunting season

See the following pages for the summaries. The summaries are also available on the Government of Canada's website: Hunting regulations for migratory birds: provincial and territorial summaries.