Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: British Columbia, August 2023 to July 2024
Notice
Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a contagious viral infection that can affect domestic and wild birds throughout the world. Guidelines have been developed to prevent or mitigate the spread of this virus, and for precautionary measures to take when handling wild game. For more information, please refer to the Avian influenza in wild birds web page and the Wildlife and Avian Influenza – Handling Guidelines to Protect Your Health web page on the Government of Canada website.
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Summary
To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must possess:
- a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
- a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp on the permit
These two documents are issued by the federal government and are valid in all provinces and territories.
Hunting districts
Long description
- Provincial Management Units (PMUs) Nos. 1-1 to 1-15 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 2-2 to 2-19 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 3-12 to 3-20, and 3-26 to 3-44 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 4-1 to 4-9, and 4-14 to 4-40 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 5-1 to 5-15 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 6-1 to 6-30 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 7-2 to 7-58 inclusive
- PMUs Nos. 8-1 to 8-15 and 8-21 to 8-26 inclusive
Most provinces and territories have additional licence requirements for hunting migratory birds and/or to carry firearms. To know what you require, and if there are further restrictions for hunting migratory birds, please verify the applicable regulations for the province/territory where you will be hunting. Municipalities may have additional restrictions on discharging firearms. Note that all required permits and licences must be in your possession while you are hunting.
Buy permit online
You can purchase and print your Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit by visiting the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit web page.
It is no longer required to sign the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit (both physical and electronic forms). This allows you to carry your permit in a digital format, such as on a mobile device. If you choose to carry your permit on your mobile device, it must be in the PDF format provided by the e-permitting system (a photograph or screenshot of your permit is not valid). It is also your responsibility to be able to show the permit to a game officer immediately upon request.
Consultation process and migratory birds regulatory reports
A national consultation process has been developed to provide an opportunity for everyone to participate in developing the migratory birds hunting regulations. For more information, consult the Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Series web page on the Government of Canada website.
Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) Permit
Hunters who are minors (less than 18 years old) have the option to hunt with a Youth MGBH permit. The Youth MGBH permit, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation stamp, can only be obtained through our online purchasing system, free of charge. The Youth MGBH permit is not available for purchase from independent vendors.
The Youth MGBH permit provides young hunters with the opportunity to practice their skills under the supervision of an adult mentor (in possession of a MGBH Permit) throughout the full open season and the special conservation season, and provides Youth MGBH Permit holders with their own daily bag and possession limits.
Mentors must possess their own MGBH permit, must have held such a permit in a previous year, and may accompany no more than two youth hunters. For more information on the new rules pertaining to hunting migratory game birds in the modernized Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, please consult the Government of Canada Migratory Game Bird Hunting website.
Enforcement
The Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations authorize game officers to use administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) to enforce the provisions of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) and its associated regulations.
The fine regime and penalty provisions in the MBCA and the Designation of Regulatory Provisions for Purposes of Enforcement (Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994) Regulations allow courts to impose penalties that reflect the seriousness of offences following a conviction pursuant to the MBCA or its associated regulations.
For more information on AMPs and the fine regime, consult the About the Environmental Enforcement Act web page on the Government of Canada website.
Game officers
Game officers enforce the federal MBCA throughout Canada. This law regulates human activities such as hunting that could adversely affect long-term wildlife conservation. Individuals may be subject to a minimum penalty of $5000 if they are found liable for committing an offence on summary conviction. For any questions, please contact Wildlife Enforcement by the telephone or email found with the regional office address at the end of this summary.
Shot
- Lead shot is toxic to wildlife and the environment
- In British Columbia, the use and possession of shot other than non-toxic shot is prohibited while hunting migratory game birds other than Band-tailed Pigeons, Eurasian Collared Doves and Mourning Doves. In National Wildlife Areas that allow hunting, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all types of hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds
- Hunters should consult provincial or territorial regulations for additional restrictions
To reduce your exposure to contaminants in meat, make sure, before cooking it, to:
- remove the shot from birds hunted with lead shot
- remove the skin and fat from fish-eating birds
Crime stoppers
Anyone wishing to report illegal hunting activities, illegal selling of birds or other offences related to migratory birds is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Your call is anonymous, and you may be eligible for a cash reward.
Open season and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds in British Columbia
Species |
Open season |
Area: Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
October 7 to January 21 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 2 to September 12 (only in PMUs 1-1, 1-2 and 1-4 to 1-7) |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | October 7 to November 19 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | November 20 to December 15 (only in PMUs 1-3 and 1-8 to 1-15) |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | December 16 to January 7 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | January 8 to January 21 (only in PMUs 1-3 and 1-8 to 1-15) |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | February 11 to March 10 (only in PMUs 1-1, 1-2 and 1-4 to 1-7) |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
October 7 to January 21 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
October 7 to January 21 |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
October 7 to January 21 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
October 7 to January 21 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
September 15 to September 30 |
5 |
15 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
October 7 to January 21 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 2 to September 12 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | October 7 to November 19 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | December 16 to January 7 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | February 11 to March 10 |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
October 7 to January 21 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
October 7 to January 2 |
10 (not more than 5 may be Ross’s Geese). An additional 5 Geese may be killed or taken in PMUs 2-4 and 2-5 |
30 (not more than 15 may be Ross’s Geese). An additional 15 Geese may be possessed in PMUs 2-4 and 2-5 |
| Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined | February 21 to March 10 |
10 (not more than 5 may be Ross’s Geese). An additional 5 Geese may be killed or taken in PMUs 2-4 and 2-5 |
30 (not more than 15 may be Ross’s Geese). An additional 15 Geese may be possessed in PMUs 2-4 and 2-5 |
Brant |
March 1 to March 10 (only in PMU 2-4) |
3 |
9 |
Coots |
October 7 to January 21 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
October 7 to January 21 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
September 15 to September 30 |
5 |
15 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 8 to December 23 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 8 to September 20 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | October 1 to December 23 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | March 1 to March 10 |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
September 8 to December 23 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 8 to December 23 |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
September 8 to December 23 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
September 8 to December 23 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
September 1 to September 30 |
5 |
15 |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
September 15 to September 30 (only in PMUs 3-13 to 3-17) |
5 |
15 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 8 to December 23 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 8 to December 23 |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
September 8 to December 23 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 8 to December 23 |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
September 8 to December 23 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
September 8 to December 23 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
September 1 to September 30 |
5 |
15 |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 13 to December 25 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 13 to December 25 |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
September 13 to December 25 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 13 to December 25 |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
September 13 to December 25 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
September 13 to December 25 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 1 to September 30 (in PMUs 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to 6-10 and 6-15 to 6-30) |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
| All ducks, combined | October 1 to November 30 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
| All ducks, combined | December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 1 to September 30 (only in PMUs 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to 6-10 and 6-15 to 6-30) |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | October 1 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
September 1 to September 30 (only in PMUs 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to 6-10 and 6-15 to 6-30) |
5 |
15 |
| White-fronted Geese | October 1 to November 30 |
5 |
15 |
| White-fronted Geese | December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 1 to September 30 (only in PMUs 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to 6-10 and 6-15 to 6-30) |
5 |
15 |
| Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined | October 1 to November 30 |
5 |
15 |
| Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined | December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
September 1 to September 30 (only in PMUs 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to 6-10 and 6-15 to 6-30) |
10 |
30 |
| Coots | October 1 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
| Coots | December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
September 1 to September 30 (only in PMUs 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to 6-10 and 6-15 to 6-30) |
10 |
30 |
| Snipe | October 1 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
| Snipe | December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 1 to November 30 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 1 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
September 1 to November 30 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 1 to November 30 |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
September 1 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
September 1 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 23 to January 7 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 2 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
24 (not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 12 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 20 to November 28 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | December 20 to January 5 |
10 |
30 |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined | February 22 to March 10 |
10 |
30 |
White-fronted Geese |
September 23 to January 7 |
5 |
15 |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 23 to January 7 |
5 |
15 |
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
Coots |
September 23 to January 7 |
10 |
30 |
Snipe |
September 23 to January 7 |
10 |
30 |
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
September 1 to September 30 |
5 |
15 |
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
For more information
The information presented here is a summary of the law. If there is a discrepancy between the law and this summary, the law prevails.
For more information, consult:
- the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
- the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022
- the frequently asked questions for hunters
You may also direct your questions to:
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
Pacific Wildlife Research Centre
R.R. 1 5421 Robertson Road
Delta BC V4K 3N2
Tel.: 604-350-1950
Toll free: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
Report your migratory bird bands
Call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) to leave a message or go to the Report a bird with a Federal Band or Color Marker website.
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