Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: Manitoba, 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 of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Manitoba, August 2023 to July 2024.pdf [PDF - 1.28 MB]

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 2023 federal permit is also valid for the 2024 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, available at Manitoba e-licensing

Hunting zones

Long description

Zone No. 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 No. 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 No. 3 means the portion of Manitoba lying between Provincial Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 2 and Provincial Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 4.

Zone No. 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.

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. 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 Government of 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 Manitoba, the use and possession of shot other than non-toxic shot is prohibited while hunting migratory game birds other than 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). 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

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 1
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

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 2
Species	Open season	Daily bag limit	Possession limit
All ducks, combined	September 1 to September 7, for residents of Canada only	8	24
All ducks, combined	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	24 for residents of Canada
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined	September 8 to November 30	5 for non-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	8	24
Coots	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	10	30
Snipe	September 8 to November 30	10	30

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 3
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	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	24 for residents of Canada
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined	September 24 to December 6	5 for non-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	8	24
Coots	September 24 to December 6	8	24
Woodcock	September 8 to December 6	8 for residents of Canada	24 for residents of Canada
Woodcock	September 8 to December 6	4 for non-residents of Canada	12 for non-residents of Canada
Snipe	September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only	10	30
Snipe	September 24 to December 6	10	30

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 4
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	24 for residents of Canada
All Ducks, combined	September 24 to December 6	8 for non-residents of Canada (not more than 4 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks in any combination)	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	24 for residents of Canada
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, combined	September 24 to December 6	5 for non-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	8	24
Coots	September 24 to December 6	8	24
Woodcock	September 8 to December 6	8 for residents of Canada	24 for residents of Canada
Woodcock	September 8 to December 6	4 for non-residents of Canada	12 for non-residents of Canada
Snipe	September 1 to September 23, for residents of Canada only	10	30
Snipe	September 24 to December 6	10	30

Special measures for overabundant species in Manitoba

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 1
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.

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 2
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	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	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.

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 3
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	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	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.

**Area:** Game Bird Hunting Zone No. 4
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	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	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.

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:

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.

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Date modified:: 2023-08-03

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