Hunting regulations summary for migratory birds: Northwest Territories, August 2020 to July 2021
Summary
To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must possess:
- a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
- a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp affixed to or printed on the permit
These two documents are issued by the federal government and are valid in all provinces and territories.
The 2020 federal permit is also valid for the 2021 spring special conservation harvest for Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese.
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.
If you are hunting on private lands within an area with a settled land claim, you must ask permission first.
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.
Enforcement
In June 2017, the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations came into force. In particular, these 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.
In July 2017, amendments to 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 came into force. In particular, these amendments 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 new 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
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 Seasons in the Northwest Territories
Area |
Ducks, Geese, Coots and Snipe |
|---|---|
Throughout the Northwest Territories |
Sept. 1 to Dec. 10 (a) |
(a) Recorded Snow Goose and Ross’s Goose calls may be used when hunting Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese; any species of migratory birds for which it is open season may be taken while hunting Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese with those calls.
Bag and possession limits in the Northwest Territories
Limit |
Ducks Residents of Canada |
Ducks Non-Residents of Canada |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant Residents of Canada |
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant Non-Residents of Canada |
Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese |
Coots |
Snipe Residents of Canada |
Snipe Non-Residents of Canada |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daily Bag |
25 |
8 |
15 |
5 (a) |
50 |
25 |
10 |
10 |
Possession |
No limit |
16 |
No limit |
10 (a) |
No limit |
No limit |
No limit |
20 |
(a) Except that non-residents may not take more than 2 White-fronted Geese daily and may not possess more than 4.
Overabundant species
The Migratory Birds Regulations also provide for special conservation harvest periods when hunters may take overabundant species. See the table below for details.
Measures in the Northwest Territories concerning overabundant species
| Area | Period during which Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
|---|---|---|
Banks Island, Victoria Island and Queen Elizabeth Islands |
May 1 to June 30 |
Recorded bird calls (a) |
Throughout Northwest Territories except Banks Island, Victoria Island and Queen Elizabeth Islands |
May 1 to May 28 |
Recorded bird calls (a) |
(a) “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note
No person shall hunt earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sunset.
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.
Please consult:
- the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
- the Migratory Birds Regulations
- the frequently asked questions for hunters
You may also direct your questions to:
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
5019 52 Street
P.O. Box 2310
Yellowknife NT X1A 2P7
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.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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