Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: Newfoundland and Labrador, 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.
Waterfowl and Snipe hunting zones
Long description
Northwestern Coastal Zone bounded by a line drawn due west from Cape St. Gregory, and from there northward and eastward along the coast, ending in a boundary line drawn due northeast through Cape Bauld.
Northern Coastal Zone bounded by a line drawn due northeast from Cape Bauld, and from there southward along the east coast, ending in a boundary line drawn due northeast through Cape St. John.
Southern Coastal Zone bounded by a line drawn due west through Cape Ray, and from there southward and eastward along the coast, ending at a line drawn due south through Cape Rosey.
Southwestern Coastal Zone bounded by a line drawn due west from Cape St. Gregory, and from there southward along the coast, ending in a boundary line drawn due west through Cape Ray.
Northeastern Coastal Zone bounded by a line drawn due northeast through Cape Bonavista, and from there in a generally westerly direction along the coast, ending at a boundary line drawn due northeast through Cape St. John.
Avalon-Burin Coastal Zone bounded by a straight line drawn due south from Cape Rosey, and from there in a generally easterly and northerly direction along the coast, ending at a boundary line drawn due northeast from Cape Bonavista.
“Coastal” refers to the portion of the coast of the Island of Newfoundland, and of the adjacent offshore islands, lying less than 100 m from the mean ordinary high-water mark and the adjacent marine coastal waters.
Newfoundland Inland Zone means the portion of the Island of Newfoundland, and of the adjacent offshore islands, that is not within the portions described above.
Northern Labrador Zone means the portion of Labrador lying north of latitude 54°24′N and east of longitude 65°W.
Western Labrador Zone means the portion of Labrador lying west of longitude 65°W.
Southern Labrador Zone means the portion of Labrador lying south of latitude 53°06′N (Boulter Rock) and east of longitude 57°06′40″W.
Central Labrador Zone means the portion of Labrador that is not within the portions described above.
Murre/Turr hunting zones
Long description
Zone No. 1 means all coastal waters in the Northern Labrador Zone and the Central Labrador Zone as defined in Table II of this Part.
Zone No. 2 means all coastal waters in the Southern Labrador Zone as defined in Table II of this Part, and those portions of the Northwestern Coastal Zone, Northern Coastal Zone and Northeastern Coastal Zone of Newfoundland as defined in Table I of this Part, bounded by a due northeast line from Deadman’s Point (49°21′N, 53°41′W) and a due west line from Cape St. Gregory (49°24′N, 58°14′W).
Zone No. 3 means those portions of the Southwestern Coastal Zone and Avalon-Burin Coastal Zone of Newfoundland as defined in Table I of this Part, bounded by a due west line from Cape St. Gregory (49°24′N, 58°14′W) and a due east line from Western Bay Head (47°53′N, 53°03′W), excluding the portion of the Avalon-Burin Coastal Zone of Newfoundland bounded by a due east line from Cape Race (46°39′N, 53°04′W) and a due east line from Cape Spear (47°31′20″N, 52°37′40″W).
Zone No. 4 means those portions of the Avalon-Burin Coastal Zone and the Northeastern Coastal Zone of Newfoundland as defined in Table I of this Part, bounded by a due east line drawn from Cape Race (46°39′N, 53°04′W) and a due northeast line from Deadman’s Point (49°21′N, 53°41′W), excluding that portion of the Avalon-Burin Coastal Zone of Newfoundland bounded by a due east line from Cape Spear (47°31′20″N, 52°37′40″W) and by a due east line from Western Bay Head (47°53′N, 53°03′W).
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.
Use of bait prior to and during the migratory bird hunting season is restricted; please consult the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 for restrictions regarding deposition of bait. Check your permit and provincial hunting regulations for additional restrictions, such as minimum required distances from residences and businesses.
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 Canada Migratory Game Bird Hunting website.
Murre (turr) hunters
This hunt is only open to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Murres are the only migratory bird that can be legally hunted from a boat that is moving because of motion as a result of its motor or its sails. Any occupant of a boat who shoots or retrieves Murres, or anyone who operates a boat to pursue Murres, is hunting as defined in the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, and is required to hold a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp and must be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
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 Newfoundland and Labrador, the use and possession of shot other than non-toxic shot is prohibited while hunting migratory game birds other than Murres (Turrs)
- If a multi-species hunt occurs where Murres are being hunted in addition to other migratory game birds (e.g. waterfowl), it is prohibited to possess toxic shot. Hunters can still have mixed bird hunts as long as they possess and use only non-toxic shot
- 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
Species at Risk
- Barrow’s Goldeneye is listed in the Species at Risk Act as a species of special concern, and the daily bag and possession limit is 1 bird
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 Newfoundland and Labrador
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined |
November 1 to February 14 |
6 |
12 |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
October 10 to January 23 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) from September 16 to November 29 |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 4 may be American Black Ducks) from November 30 to December 30 |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 16 to December 30 |
10 |
20 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined |
November 25 to March 10 |
6 |
12 |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
October 10 to January 23 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) from September 16 to November 29 |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 4 may be American Black Ducks) from November 30 to December 30 |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 16 to December 30 |
10 |
20 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined |
No open season |
N/A |
N/A |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
October 10 to January 23 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) from September 16 to November 30 |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 4 may be American Black Ducks) from November 30 to December 30 |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 16 to December 30 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 16 to December 30 |
10 |
20 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All Eiders and Scoters, combined |
September 2 to September 29, for Scoters only |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | September 30 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | December 17 to January 14, for Eiders only |
6 |
12 |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 2 to December 16 |
10 |
20 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All Eiders, combined |
No open season |
N/A |
N/A |
All Scoters, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 2 to December 16 |
10 |
20 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All Eiders and Scoters, combined |
September 2 to October 31, for Scoters only |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | November 1 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | December 17 to February 14, for Eiders only |
6 |
12 |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 2 to December 16 |
10 |
20 |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|
All Eiders and Scoters, combined |
September 2 to October 27, for Scoters only |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | October 28 to November 25 |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | November 26 to December 16, for Scoters only |
6 |
12 |
| All Eiders and Scoters, combined | January 6 to February 29, for Eiders only |
6 |
12 |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 |
12 |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Eiders and Scoters), combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye) |
All Geese, combined |
September 2 to December 16 |
5 |
10 |
Snipe |
September 2 to December 16 |
10 |
20 |
Area |
Species |
Open season |
Daily bag limit |
Possession limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Murre Zone No. 1 |
Murres |
September 1 to December 16 |
20 |
40 |
Murre Zone No. 2 |
Murres |
October 6 to January 20 |
20 |
40 |
Murre Zone No. 3 |
Murres |
November 25 to March 10 |
20 |
40 |
Murre Zone No. 4 |
Murres |
November 3 to January 10 |
20 |
40 |
| Murre Zone No. 4 | Murres | February 2 to March 10 |
20 |
40 |
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
6 Bruce Street
Mount Pearl NL A1N 4T3
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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