Summary of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations: Quebec, August 2026 to July 2027

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Warning to hunters

Barrow’s Goldeneye

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Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit

To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must possess:

a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) Permit
a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation (CWHC) Stamp on the permit

The MGBH Permit is valid anywhere in Canada where and when there is an open season to hunt migratory game birds.

Hunting districts

Long description

A map of Quebec divided into hunting districts A, B, C, D, E, F and G.

District A: Provincial Hunting Zones (PHZs) 17 and 22 to 24.

On the map, the city of Chibougamau is located in District A. There is also text to indicate that the zone includes northern Quebec.

District B: PHZs 19 south, 20 and 29 and the portion of PHZ 21 included in the electoral district of Duplessis that is situated opposite to PHZs 19 south and 20.

On the map, the city of Sept-Îles is located in District B.

District C: PHZs 12 to 14 and 16.

On the map, the city of Val d’Or is located in District C.

District D: the portion of PHZs 18, 21 and 28 lying west of longitude 70°00’ W and the portion of PHZ 27 lying west of longitude 70°00’ W and north of the latitude at the Saint-Siméon wharf to Route 381 and from there to the northern limit of PHZ 27.

On the map, the city of Saguenay is located in District D.

District E: PHZ 1; the portion of PHZ 2 lying east of Route 185 to its intersection with du Loup River and lying east of a line running along the centre of that river to the north end of the Rivière-du-Loup wharf; the portion of PHZ 28 lying east of longitude 70°00’ W; the portion of PHZ 27 lying east of longitude 70°00’ W and north of the latitude at the Saint-Siméon wharf; and the portion of PHZ 18 and the waters of the Saguenay lying east of the limit of District D, including the portion of the waters of Chaleur Bay and the St. Lawrence River lying east of the ferry crossing from Saint‑Siméon to Rivière‑du‑Loup to the boundaries of Districts B and G.

On the map, the cities of Matane and Rivière-du-Loup are located in District E.

District F: the portion of PHZ 2 lying west of District E; PHZs 3 to 11, 15 and 26; and the portion of PHZ 27 lying south of Districts D and E, including the portion of the waters of the St. Lawrence River lying west of District E.

On the map, the cities of Mont-Laurier, Québec, Montréal and Sherbrooke are located in District F.

District G: the lands and waters included in the County of the Magdalen Islands in Quebec.

Note: To obtain the geospatial data of boundaries district, consult the Boundaries of migratory bird hunting district in Quebec webpage.

Species at risk

Barrow’s Goldeneye is listed in the Species at Risk Act as a species of special concern. The daily bag and possession limit is 1 bird
Harlequin Duck is listed in the Species at Risk Act as species of special concern. There is no open season for this species

Important updates to the hunting regulations for Quebec

New open season for Sandhill Cranes

In Districts C and D, from September 12 to September 25 for the 2026-2027 season
Only on farmland
Restricted to Canadian residents
The daily bag and possession limits are both 1

Potential Sandhill Crane hunters are encouraged to visit Migratory game bird hunting to learn how they can help with monitoring efforts and how to identify Sandhill Cranes.

Daily bag limit increases for Canada and Cackling Geese

In Districts A, C, D, and F, the daily bag limit for Canada and Cackling Geese from September 26 to October 31 has increased to 5.

In Districts A, C, and D, the daily bag limit is now 5 from September 26 to December 16
In District F, the daily bag limit is now 5 from September 26 to December 21

Changes to the spring special season for overabundant Snow Geese

In District A, the daily bag limit for the Snow Geese season, which runs from May 1 to June 30, has decreased from 20 to 12.

In Districts C, D, E and F, the spring Snow Geese open season has been shortened by 53 days. It now runs from April 10 to May 18. Hunting is allowed on farmland only, with further location restrictions in District F. The daily bag limit has decreased from 20 to 12.

Open seasons and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds in Quebec

District A

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Open season:: September 1 to December 16
Daily bag limit:: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)
Possession limit:: 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)

Harlequin Ducks

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Open season:: September 1 to September 25
Daily bag limit: 10; September 26 to December 16
Daily bag limit: 5
Possession limit:: No limit

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Open season:: September 1 to December 16
Daily bag limit:: 5
Possession limit:: 15

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

Woodcock

Open season:: September 1 to December 16
Daily bag limit:: 8 for residents of Canada
4 for non-residents of Canada
Possession limit:: 24

Snipe

Open season:: September 1 to December 16
Daily bag limit:: 10
Possession limit:: 30

Mourning Doves

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

Sandhill Cranes

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

District B

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Open season:: September 12 to September 30, for ducks other than Eiders and Long‑tailed Ducks
Daily bag limit: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal); October 1 to October 24
Daily bag limit: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal); October 25 to November 14
This is not an open season for Eiders and Long-tailed ducks in locations on the North Shore that are west of the Natashquan River.
Daily bag limit: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal); November 15 to December 26
Daily bag limit: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal); December 27 to January 14, only for Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks
Daily bag limit: 6; January 15 to February 5, only for Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks in locations on the North Shore that are west of the Natashquan River
Daily bag limit: 6
Possession limit:: 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)

Harlequin Ducks

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Open season:: September 12 to September 25
Daily bag limit: 10; September 26 to December 26
Daily bag limit: 5
Possession limit:: No limit

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Open season:: September 12 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 5
Possession limit:: 15

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

Woodcock

Open season:: September 5 to December 19
Daily bag limit:: 8 for residents of Canada
4 for non-residents of Canada
Possession limit:: 24

Snipe

Open season:: September 12 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 10
Possession limit:: 30

Mourning Doves

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

Sandhill Cranes

Open season:: No open season
Daily bag limit:: Not applicable
Possession limit:: Not applicable

District C and D

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Open season:: September 12 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)
Possession limit:: 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)

District E

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Open season:: September 12 to October 20; October 21 to December 26
This is not an open season for Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in locations that are within PHZ 21 or within 100 m of that Zone
Daily bag limit:: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)
Possession limit:: 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal

District F

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Open season:: September 19 to October 20; October 21 to January 2
This is not an open season for Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in locations between Pointe Jureux (Saint-Irénée) and Gros Cap à l’Aigle (Saint-Fidèle) from routes 362 and 138 and extending 2 km within PHZ 21.
Daily bag limit:: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)
Possession limit:: 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)

District G

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Open season:: September 26 to October 31
This is not an open season for Eiders or Long-tailed Ducks.
Daily bag limit: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal); November 1 to December 26
Daily bag limit: 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal); December 27 to February 14 (only for Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks)
Daily bag limit: 6
Possession limit:: 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)

Special measures for overabundant species in Quebec

District A

Snow Geese

Open season:: September 1 to December 16
Daily bag limit:: 20
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used. While hunting that species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the open season may be hunted.
Open season:: May 1 to June 30
Daily bag limit:: 12
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used.

District B

Snow Geese

Open season:: September 12 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 20
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used. While hunting that species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the open season may be hunted.

District C and D

Snow Geese

Open season:: September 1 to September 11 (only on farmland); September 12 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 20
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used. While hunting that species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the open season may be hunted.
Open season:: April 10 to May 18 (only on farmland)
Daily bag limit:: 12
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used.

District E

Snow Geese

Open season:: September 1 to September 11 (only on farmland); September 12 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 20
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used. While hunting that species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the open season may be hunted.
Hunting with bait that is crops that are cut and left on the ground in the fall is permitted if the Minister has given consent.
Open season:: April 10 to May 18 (only on farmland)
Daily bag limit:: 12
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used.
Hunting with bait in the spring is permitted if the Minister has given consent.

District F

Snow Geese

Open season:: September 6 to September 18 (only on farmland); September 19 to January 2
Daily bag limit:: 20
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used. While hunting that species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the open season may be hunted.
Hunting with bait that is crops that are cut and left on the ground in the fall is permitted if the Minister has given consent.
Open season:: April 10 to May 18 (only on farmland that is not within the following locations:
i) south of the St. Lawrence River and north of the road right‑of‑way of Route 132 between the western limit of the municipality of Montmagny and the eastern limit of the municipality of Cap‑Saint‑Ignace, other than in lots 4 598 472, 2 611 981 and 2 611 982 of the cadastre of Quebec (located in the municipality of Montmagny)
ii) north of the St. Lawrence River and south of a line that is 1000 m north of Highway 40 between Montée St‑Laurent and the Maskinongé River
iii) south of the St. Lawrence River and north of the railroad right‑of‑way located near Route 132 between the Nicolet River in the east and Lacerte Road in the west)
Daily bag limit:: 12
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used.
Hunting with bait in the spring is permitted if the Minister has given consent.

District G

Snow Geese

Open season:: September 26 to December 26
Daily bag limit:: 20
Possession limit:: No limit
Additional hunting method or equipment:: Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used. While hunting that species with those calls, any other species of migratory bird for which it is the open season may be hunted.

Hunting hours

South of the 60th parallel, no person shall hunt earlier than half an hour before sunrise or later than half an hour after sunset. North of the 60th parallel, no person shall hunt earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sunset.

Hunting restrictions and requirements

For more information on restrictions and requirements to hunt migratory game birds, please refer to the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 and/or consult the Migratory game bird hunting web page, which includes a frequently asked questions page.

The Canadian Firearms Act outlines the requirements for the licensing, possession, storage and transportation of firearms. Learn more at RCMP page on Firearms.

Most provinces and territories have additional requirements to hunt and/or carry firearms. Check the provincial/territorial and municipal regulations where you will be hunting. Restrictions such as minimum required distances from residences and businesses for the discharge of firearms may apply.

Buy your MGBH Permit online

You can purchase an electronic MGBH Permit through the Regulatory Services Platform.

Hunters must carry their MGBH Permit with them at all times when hunting or when in possession of unpreserved migratory game birds. Permits obtained online may be presented as an electronic PDF or as a printed copy. A provincial or territorial licence may also be required. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be able to show all required permits to a game officer immediately upon request.

As of the 2027–2028 hunting season, Environment and Climate Change Canada will no longer print physical (paper) copies of the hunting regulation summaries. They will continue to be available online at Hunting regulations for migratory birds: provincial and territorial summaries.

The physical MGBH Permits may be phased out as early as the 2027-2028 hunting season. Hunters will be invited to obtain their MGBH Permit through the Regulatory Services Platform.

Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit

The Youth MGBH Permit is an option available to hunters who are minors (under 18 years old on the day the permit is issued). The Youth MGBH Permit and electronic CWHC Stamp are free of charge and can only be obtained through the Regulatory Services Platform.

The Youth MGBH Permit provides young hunters with the opportunity to practice their skills under the supervision of an adult hunter (known as a mentor) and allows them to have their own daily bag and possession limits.

Mentors must possess their own MGBH Permit, must have held a MGBH Permit in a previous year, and may accompany no more than two Youth MGBH Permit holders at a time. Mentors may carry a firearm and may hunt.

Many provinces and territories, have additional requirements and restrictions for hunters who are minors and/or for their mentors.

Enforcement

Federal game officers enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and its associated regulations. This law regulates human activities, such as hunting, that could adversely affect the conservation of migratory birds. Game officers may use warnings, administrative monetary penalties, tickets or prosecutions. Fines and penalties vary depending on the severity of the offence. Individuals found guilty of a summary conviction for a first offence are liable to a fine between $5,000 and $300,000, a maximum imprisonment term of six months, or both.

Crime Stoppers

Report illegal hunting activities, illegal selling of birds or other offences related to migratory birds to Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-711-1800. Your tip is anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.

Shot

Lead shot is toxic to wildlife and the environment
In Quebec, the use and possession of shot other than non-toxic shot is prohibited while hunting migratory game birds, except for woodcock
Within National Wildlife Areas (NWA) that allow hunting, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory and upland game birds. Refer to Schedule I.1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations to know which NWAs allow hunting and what restrictions or requirements apply

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

Consultation process and migratory birds regulatory reports

There is a national consultation process which includes a report on the population status of migratory game birds and a proposal report that provides an opportunity to participate in developing the hunting regulations. To learn more, visit Migratory birds regulatory report series.

Report your migratory bird bands

Report a bird with a federal band or color marker online or call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) to leave a message.

Contact us

Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
Regional office
801-1550 D’Estimauville Avenue
Québec QC  G1J 0C3

Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

The information presented here is a summary of the law. If there is a discrepancy between the law and this summary, the law prevails.

Page details

2026-07-28

Summary of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations: Quebec, August 2026 to July 2027

Notice

Warning to hunters

Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit

Hunting districts

Species at risk

Important updates to the hunting regulations for Quebec

Open seasons and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds in Quebec

District A

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Harlequin Ducks

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Woodcock

Snipe

Mourning Doves

Sandhill Cranes

District B

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Harlequin Ducks

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Woodcock

Snipe

Mourning Doves

Sandhill Cranes

District C and D

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Harlequin Ducks

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Woodcock

Snipe

Mourning Doves

Sandhill Cranes

District E

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Harlequin Ducks

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Woodcock

Snipe

Mourning Doves

Sandhill Cranes

District F

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Harlequin Ducks

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Woodcock

Snipe

Mourning Doves

Sandhill Cranes

District G

Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined

Harlequin Ducks

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined

Geese (other than Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese), combined

Coots and Gallinules, combined

Woodcock

Snipe

Mourning Doves

Grues du Canada

Special measures for overabundant species in Quebec

District A

Snow Geese

District B

Snow Geese

District C and D

Snow Geese

District E

Snow Geese

District F

Snow Geese

District G