Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: Manitoba, August 2022 to July 2023
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.
The 2022 federal permit is also valid for the 2023 spring special conservation harvest for Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese, and Canada Geese. The Province of Manitoba requires spring Snow Goose and Ross’s Goose hunters, and spring Canada Goose hunters to obtain a free electronic license.
Hunting zones
Long description
Zone 1 means the portion of Manitoba lying north of latitude 57°N and the portion lying east of longitude 94°W and north of latitude 56°N.
Zone 2 means the portion of Manitoba lying between Provincial Game bird hunting zone No. 1 and the following line: commencing at the intersection of the boundary between Manitoba and Saskatchewan and latitude 53°N; from there easterly along that parallel of latitude to the east shore of Lake Winnipegosis; from there southeasterly along the shoreline of that lake to the northern limit of Township 43; from there easterly along the northern limit of that township to the boundary between Manitoba and Ontario.
Zone 3 means the portion of Manitoba lying between Provincial Game bird hunting zone 2 and Provincial Game bird hunting zone 4.
Zone 4 means Provincial Game Hunting Areas No. 22, 23, 24, 25A, 25B, 27, 28, 29, 29A, 30, 31, 31A, 32, 33, 34, 34A, 34B, 34C, 35, 35A, 36 and 38 as described in Manitoba’s Hunting Areas and Zones Regulation, M.R. 220/86, made under The Wildlife Act, C.C.S.M., c. W130.
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.
New! 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.
Important updates
The format of the Summary has changed. The Migratory Birds Regulations have been modernized. Many important clarifications and changes have been made to the regulations regarding migratory game bird hunting, including: the concept of possession, gifting of harvested birds, labelling requirements, hunting methods and equipment, and the introduction of new permits.
New! Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) permit
Waterfowler Heritage Days have been abolished and replaced with a MGBH permit for youth, which is referred to as the Youth MGBH permit.
Hunters who are minors (less than 18 years old) may now hunt with a Youth MGBH permit. The Youth MGBH permit, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation stamp, can be obtained through our online purchasing 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. Mentors may carry a firearm, and may hunt. For more information on the new rules pertaining to hunting migratory game birds in the modernized Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, please consult the Migratory Game Bird Hunting web page.
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.
Game officers
Game officers enforce the federal MBCA throughout Canada. This law regulates human interventions, such as hunting that could adversely affect long-term wildlife conservation. For any questions, please contact Wildlife Enforcement by telephone or by email at the contact information at the end of this hunting summary.
Shot
- Non-toxic shot must be used to hunt all migratory game birds, except for Woodcock
- Within 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) or “Échec au crime” in the province of Québec at 1-800-711-1800. 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 Manitoba
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 1 to October 31 |
8 |
24 |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 1 to October 31 |
8 |
24 |
Sandhill Cranes |
September 1 to November 30 |
5 |
15 |
Coots |
September 1 to October 31 |
8 |
24 |
Woodcock |
No Open season |
N/A |
N/A |
Snipe |
September 1 to October 31 |
10 |
30 |
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All ducks, combined |
September 1 to September 7, for residents of Canada only September 8 to November 30 |
8 |
24 |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 1 to September 7, for residents of Canada only |
8 |
24 |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 8 to November 30 |
8 for residents of Canada 5 for non-residents of Canada |
24 for residents of Canada 15 for non-residents of Canada |
Sandhill Cranes |
September 1 to November 30 |
5 |
15 |
Coots |
September 1 to September 7, for residents of Canada only September 8 to November 30 |
8 |
24 |
Woodcock |
No Open season |
N/A |
N/A |
Snipe |
September 1 to September 7, for residents of Canada only September 8 to November 30 |
10 |
30 |
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All Ducks, combined |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only September 24 to December 6 |
8 |
24 |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only |
8 |
24 |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 24 to December 6 |
8 for residents of Canada 5 for non-residents of Canada |
24 for residents of Canada 15 for non-residents of Canada |
Sandhill Cranes |
September 1 to December 6 |
5 |
15 |
Coots |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only September 24 to December 6 |
8 |
24 |
Woodcock |
September 8 to December 6 |
8 for residents of Canada 4 for non-residents of Canada |
24 for residents of Canada 12 for non-residents of Canada |
Snipe |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only September 24 to December 6 |
10 |
30 |
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All Ducks, combined |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only |
8 |
24 |
All Ducks, combined |
September 24 to December 6 |
8 for residents of Canada 8 for non-residents of Canada (not more than 4 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks in any combination) |
24 for residents of Canada 24 for non-residents of Canada (not more than 12 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks in any combination) |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only |
8 (plus an additional 4 in Provincial Game Hunting Area 38) |
24 |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined |
September 24 to December 6 |
8 for residents of Canada 5 for non-residents of Canada |
24 for residents of Canada 15 for non-residents of Canada |
Sandhill Cranes |
September 1 to December 6 |
5 |
15 |
Coots |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only September 24 to December 6 |
8 |
24 |
Woodcock |
September 8 to December 6 |
8 for residents of Canada 4 for non-residents of Canada |
24 for residents of Canada 12 for non-residents of Canada |
Snipe |
September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only September 24 to December 6 |
10 |
30 |
Special measures for overabundant species in Manitoba
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit | Additional hunting method or equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
August 15 to August 31 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 1 to October 31 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
April 1 to June 15 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used |
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit | Additional hunting method or equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 1 to September 7, for residents of Canada only September 8 to November 30 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
March 15 to May 31 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used |
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit | Additional hunting method or equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 1 to September 16, for residents of Canada only September 17 to December 6 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
March 15 to May 31 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. From March 15 to April 10, electronic bird calls of Canada Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Canada Geese |
March 1 to April 10 |
8 |
24 |
Electronic bird calls of Canada Geese may be used. From March 15 to April 10, electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
| Species | Open season | Daily bag limit | Possession limit | Additional hunting method or equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
September 1 to September 16, for residents of Canada only September 17 to December 6 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, combined |
March 15 to May 31 |
50 |
No limit |
Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be used. From March 15 to April 10, electronic bird calls of Canada Geese may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Canada Geese |
March 1 to April 10 |
8 |
24 |
Electronic bird calls of Canada Geese may be used. From March 15 to April 10, electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross’s may be used. While hunting those species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the Open season may be hunted |
Note: during the period that begins on the first day of an Open season set out in the above table “Open season and Daily Bag and Possession limits for Migratory Game Birds” in respect of Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese or Brant and ends on the second Sunday of October, the period during which hunting — in those parts of Game bird hunting zone No. 4 or in Provincial Game Hunting Areas 13A, 14 and 14A, that portion of Area 16 south of the north limit of Township 33 and Areas 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 19, 19A, 19B, 20, 21A, 23A and 25 — by non-residents of Canada for those species is prohibited begins at noon local time on any day and ends half an hour before sunrise the next day.
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
123 Main Street
Suite 150
Winnipeg MB R3C 4W2
Tel.: 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.
Report a problem or mistake on this page
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