Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: British Columbia, August 2024 to July 2025
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
Refer to the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 for restrictions and requirements for items such as baiting, hunting methods and equipment.
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 and municipality where you will be hunting. Restrictions such as minimum required distances from residences and businesses for the discharge of firearms may be applicable.
Buy permit online
You can purchase and print your Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit by visiting the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit web page.
Hunters may carry their Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) permit either in physical (paper) or electronic formats (such as on a mobile device). Electronic MGBH permits must be in the PDF format provided by the e-permitting system (a photograph or screenshot of your permit is not valid). It is the hunter’s responsibility to be able to show all required permits to a game officer immediately upon request.
Consultation process and migratory birds regulatory reports
A national consultation process has been developed which includes a report on the population status of migratory game birds and a consultation document that provide an opportunity to participate in developing the 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, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation stamp, can only be obtained through our online permitting system, free of charge.
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
Federal game officers enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) and its associated regulations throughout Canada. This law regulates human activities, such as hunting, that could adversely affect wildlife conservation. Game officers may use warnings, administrative monetary penalties, tickets or prosecutions to enforce the provisions of the MBCA and its regulations. The fines and penalties that may be imposed reflect the seriousness of the offence(s). Individuals may be subject to a fine range for a first offence associated to sections of the MBR, 2022 designated for the purposes of paragraph 13(1)(c) of the MBCA, 1994 on summary conviction of not less than $5,000 and not more than $300,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or both.
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
- Within National Wildlife Areas (NWA) that allow hunting, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds. Refer to the Wildlife Area Regulations to know which NWAs allow hunting and for the restrictions or requirements when conducting this activity
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
Area |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District No. 1 |
All ducks, combined |
October 12 to January 26 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 7 to September 17 (only in PMUs 1-1, 1-2 and 1-4 to 1-7) |
10 |
30 |
|
October 12 to November 24 |
||||
November 25 to December 20 (only in PMUs 1-3 and 1-8 to 1-15) |
||||
December 21 to January 12 |
||||
January 13 to January 26 (only in PMUs 1-3 and 1-8 to 1-15) |
||||
February 10 to March 10 (only in PMUs 1-1, 1-2 and 1-4 to 1-7) |
||||
White-fronted Geese |
October 12 to January 26 |
5 |
15 |
|
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
October 12 to January 26 |
5 |
15 |
|
Brant |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
|
Coots |
October 12 to January 26 |
10 |
30 |
|
Snipe |
October 12 to January 26 |
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 |
|
| District No. 2 |
All ducks, combined |
October 12 to January 26 |
8 (not more than 4 may be Northern Pintails, not more than 4 may be Canvasbacks, not more than 2 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 7 to September 17 |
10 |
30 |
|
October 12 to November 24 |
||||
December 21 to January 12 |
||||
February 10 to March 10 |
||||
White-fronted Geese |
October 12 to January 26 |
5 |
15 |
|
| Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
October 12 to January 7 |
10 (not more than 5 may be Ross’s Geese). An additional 5 Snow 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 Snow Geese may be possessed in PMUs 2-4 and 2-5 |
|
February 20 to March 10 |
||||
Brant |
March 1 to March 10 (only in PMU 2-4) |
3 |
9 |
|
Coots |
October 12 to January 26 |
10 |
30 |
|
Snipe |
October 12 to January 26 |
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 |
|
District No. 3 |
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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 8 to September 20 |
10 |
30 |
|
October 1 to December 23 |
||||
March 1 to March 10 |
||||
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 |
|
| District No. 4 |
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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 |
|
| District No. 5 |
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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 |
|
| District No. 6 |
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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
October 1 to November 30 |
||||
December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
||||
| 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 |
|
October 1 to November 30 |
||||
December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
||||
| 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 |
|
October 1 to November 30 |
||||
December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
||||
| 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 |
|
October 1 to November 30 |
||||
December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
||||
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 |
|
October 1 to November 30 |
||||
December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
||||
| 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 |
|
October 1 to November 30 |
||||
December 1 to January 15 (only in PMUs 6-3 and 6-11 to 6-14) |
||||
Mourning Doves and Eurasian Collared Doves, combined |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
|
Band-Tailed Pigeons |
No open season |
not applicable |
not applicable |
|
| District No. 7 |
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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 |
|
| District No. 8 |
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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination 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 Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination and not more than 6 may be Harlequin Ducks) |
| Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined |
September 20 to November 28 |
10 |
30 |
|
December 20 to January 5 |
||||
February 21 to March 10 |
||||
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
Regional Office
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 the Report a bird with a federal band or color marker website.
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