Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: Quebec, August 2025 to July 2026

Notice

Avian influenza virus (bird flu) 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.

Warning to hunters

Barrow's Goldeneye (PDF, 12 MB)

Alternate format

Summary of Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations: Quebec, August 2025 to July 2026 [PDF - 513 KB]

Summary

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

a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) 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 2025 federal permit is also valid for the 2026 spring special conservation harvest for Snow Geese.

Hunting districts

Long description

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

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.

District C: PHZs 12 to 14 inclusive and 16.

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.

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.

District F: the portion of PHZ 2 lying west of District E; PHZs 3 to 11 inclusive, 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.

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.

For more information on restrictions and requirements for hunting migratory game birds, please refer to the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 (MBR), and/or consult the Government of Canada Migratory Game Bird Hunting website, which includes a frequently asked questions page.

The Canadian Firearms Act outlines the requirements for the storage, transportation and possession of firearms, as well as details requirements for licensing and registration of certain firearms. 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 and municipality where you will be hunting. Restrictions such as minimum required distances from residences and businesses for the discharge of firearms may be applicable.

Buy permit online

You can purchase and print your electronic MGBH Permit by visiting the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit web page.

Hunters may carry their MGBH permit either in physical (paper) or electronic formats (such as on a mobile device). Electronic MGBH Permits must be in the PDF format provided by the e-permitting system (a photograph or screenshot of your permit is not valid). It is the hunter’s responsibility to be able to show all required permits to a game officer immediately upon request.

Consultation process and migratory birds regulatory reports

A national consultation process has been developed which includes a report on the population status of migratory game birds and a consultation document that provides an opportunity to participate in developing the 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 Permit

The Youth MGBH Permit is an option available to hunters who are minors (under the age of 18 years old on the day the permit is issued). The Youth MGBH Permit, as well as the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, are free of charge and can only be obtained through the e-permitting system.

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 licence requirements and restrictions for hunters who are minors and/or for mentors. Please consult the applicable provincial/territorial regulations.

Enforcement

Federal game officers enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) and its associated regulations throughout Canada. This law regulates human activities, such as hunting, that could adversely affect wildlife conservation. Game officers may use warnings, administrative monetary penalties, tickets or prosecutions to enforce the provisions of the MBCA and its regulations. The fines and penalties that may be imposed reflect the seriousness of the offence(s). Individuals may be subject to a fine range for a first offence associated to sections of the MBR designated for the purposes of paragraph 13(1)(c) of the MBCA on summary conviction of not less than $5,000 and not more than $300,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or both.

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 other than woodcock
Within National Wildlife Areas (NWA) that allow hunting, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds. Refer to the Wildlife Area Regulations to know which NWAs allow hunting and for the restrictions or requirements when conducting this activity

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
Harlequin Duck is listed in the Species at Risk Act as a species of special concern. There is no open season for this species

Crime stoppers

Anyone wishing to report illegal hunting activities, illegal selling of birds or other offences related to migratory birds in the province of Quebec is asked to call “Échec au crime” 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 Quebec

Open season and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds in Quebec
Area	Species	Open season	Daily bag limit	Possession limit
District A	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	September 1 to December 16	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)	18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 1 to September 25	10	No limit
		September 26 to October 31	3
		November 1 to December 16	5
	Geese (other than Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese), combined	September 1 to December 16	5	15
	Coots and Gallinules, combined	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
	Woodcock	September 1 to December 16	8 for residents of Canada	24
	Woodcock	September 1 to December 16	4 for non-residents of Canada	24
	Snipe	September 1 to December 16	10	30
	Mourning Doves	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
District B	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	September 13 to September 30, for ducks other than Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)	18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)
		October 1 to October 24
		October 25 to November 14 This is not an open season for Eiders and Long-tailed ducks in locations that are on the North Shore and west of the Natashquan River.
		November 15 to December 27
		December 28 to January 14, only for Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks	6
		January 15 to February 5, only for Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks in locations that are on the North Shore and west of the Natashquan River	6
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 13 to September 25	10	No limit
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 26 to December 27	5	No limit
	Geese (other than Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese), combined	September 13 to December 27	5	15
	Coots and Gallinules, combined	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	8 for residents of Canada	24
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	4 for non-residents of Canada	24
	Snipe	September 13 to December 27	10	30
	Mourning Doves	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
Districts C and D	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	September 13 to December 27	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)	18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 1 to September 12 The season is open only on farmland.	10	No limit
		September 13 to September 25	10
		September 26 to October 31	3 (in District C)
		September 26 to October 31	2 (in District D)
		November 1 to December 16	5
	Geese (other than Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese), combined	September 13 to December 27	5	15
	Coots and Gallinules, combined	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	8 for residents of Canada	24
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	4 for non-residents of Canada	24
	Snipe	September 13 to December 27	10	30
	Mourning Doves	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
District E	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	September 13 to October 20	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)	18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)
	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	October 21 to December 27 This is not an open season for Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in locations that are within PHZ No. 21 or are less than 100 m from that Zone.
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 1 to September 12 The season is open only on farmland.	10	No limit
		September 13 to September 25	10
		September 26 to December 16	5
	Geese (other than Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese), combined	September 13 to December 27	5	15
	Coots and Gallinules, combined	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	8 for residents of Canada	24
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	4 for non-residents of Canada	24
	Snipe	September 13 to December 27	10	30
	Mourning Doves	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
District F	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	September 20 to October 20	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye, not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)	18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)
	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	October 21 to January 3 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.	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye, not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 6 to September 19 The season is open only on farmland	10	No limit
		September 20 to September 25	10
		September 26 to October 31	3 (in locations west of Highway 15 and its northerly extension consisting of Route 117)
		September 26 to October 31	2 (in locations east of Highway 15 and its northerly extension consisting of Route 117)
		November 1 to December 21	5
	Geese (other than Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese), combined	September 20 to January 3	5	15
	Coots and Gallinules, combined	September 20 to January 3	4	12
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	8 for residents of Canada	24
	Woodcock	September 6 to December 20	4 for non-residents of Canada	24
	Snipe	September 20 to January 3	10	30
	Mourning Doves	September 20 to January 3	8	24
District G	Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), combined	September 27 to October 31 This is not an open season for Eiders or Long-tailed Ducks.	6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 1 may be Blue-winged Teal)	18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye and not more than 2 may be Blue-winged Teal)
		November 1 to December 26
		December 27 to February 14 This is an open season only for Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks.	6
	Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, combined	September 27 to December 26	5	No limit
	Geese (other than Snow Geese, Canada Geese and Cackling Geese), combined	September 27 to December 26	5	15
	Coots and Gallinules, combined	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable
	Woodcock	September 27 to December 26	8 for residents of Canada	24
	Woodcock	September 27 to December 26	4 for non-residents of Canada	24
	Snipe	September 27 to December 26	10	30
	Mourning Doves	No open season	Not applicable	Not applicable

Special measures for overabundant species in Quebec

Special measures for overabundant species in Quebec
Area	Species	Open season	Daily bag limit	Possession limit	Additional hunting method or equipment
District A	Snow Geese	September 1 to December 16	20	No limit	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 A	Snow Geese	May 1 to June 30	20	No limit	Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used.
District B	Snow Geese	September 13 to December 27	20	No limit	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.
Districts C and D	Snow Geese	September 1 to September 12 The season is open only on farmland.	20	No limit	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.
		September 13 to December 27
		March 1 to May 31 The season is open only on farmland.			Electronic bird calls of Snow Geese may be used.
District E	Snow Geese	September 1 to September 12 The season is open only on farmland.	20	No limit	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.
		September 13 to December 27
		March 1 to May 31 The season is open only on farmland.			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	September 6 to September 19 The season is open only on farmland.	20	No limit	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.
		September 20 to January 3
		March 1 to May 31, the season is open only on farmland that is not within the following locations: 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) 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; 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			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	September 27 to December 26	20	No limit	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.

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
Regional office
801-1550 D’Estimauville Avenue
Québec QC G1J 0C3

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:: 2025-08-01

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