Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations, 2012–2013: Newfoundland and Labrador
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Watch for this loon on blue signs marking National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.
- Summary
- Waterfowl and Snipe Hunting Zones
- Helpful Tip
- Regulation of Migratory Bird Hunting
- Open Seasons on the Island of Newfoundland (No open season for Harlequin Ducks**)
- Bag and Possession Limits on the Island of Newfoundland
- Open Seasons in Labrador (No open season for Harlequin Ducks**)
- Bag and Possession Limits in Labrador
- Open Seasons in Newfoundland and Labrador (Murres/Turrs)
- Bag and Possession Limits in Newfoundland and Labrador (Murres/Turrs)
- Report Your Migratory Bird Bands
Summary
The information presented here is a summary of the law. For complete information on fines, general prohibitions, permitted hunting methods and equipment, the requirement to have adequate means to retrieve birds immediately, restrictions on the use of bait, the description of hunting zones and other restrictions on hunting, please refer to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and Migratory Birds Regulations. These, along with other useful information for hunters, can be found on the Environment Canada website (www.ec.gc.ca) on the Migratory Birds page in the Nature section, or you may contact:
Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
6 Bruce Street
Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador A1N 4T3
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
Waterfowl and Snipe Hunting Zones
“Coastal” refers to that portion of the coast lying within 100 metres of the mean ordinary high-water mark, including the coastal portions of offshore islands and the adjacent marine coastal waters.
Migratory bird hunters hunting within Nunatsiavut should contact the Nunatsiavut Government (709-896-8582) for additional information on access to Labrador Inuit Lands and additional hunting regulations. A map of the Labrador Inuit Land Claim can be found at: www.laa.gov.nl.ca/laa
You are required to possess a valid federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit with a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to hunt migratory birds in Canada. This permit and stamp are valid in all provinces and territories. 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. Note that all required permits and licences must be in your possession while you are hunting.
Barrow’s Goldeneye is listed in Schedule I of the federal Species at Risk Act as a species of special concern. For conservation purposes, as well as to account for the possible unintentional shooting of a Barrow’s Goldeneye, the daily bag and possession limit for this species has been set at one. Hunters who take more than one Barrow’s Goldeneye are in contravention of the law.
Murre (turr) hunters: All hunters must purchase and be in possession of a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and a Habitat Conservation Stamp while hunting murres. This hunt is only open to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Murres are the only migratory bird that can be legally hunted from a power boat. 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 and is required to hold a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit.
We would also like to note that murres are now included in the National Harvest Survey. Every year a sample of hunters is asked to participate in the Wing and Tail Survey, and in 2012–2013 we are asking survey participants that hunt murres to include their murre wings in the Wing and Tail Survey. If you have been selected for the survey, you will receive a kit with wing envelopes; please follow the instructions for murres. This information will be used to determine the species and age of birds taken in the hunt.
Sunday hunting: The Migratory Birds Regulations allow hunting for migratory birds (ducks, geese, snipe and murres) on Sundays; however, Sunday hunting has been prohibited by the province. In 2006, the province brought in new regulations that allow Sunday hunting during specific periods of the year. Please contact the Provincial Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025 for further information on Sunday hunting.
Waterfowler Heritage Days provide young hunters under the age of majority with the opportunity to practice hunting and outdoor skills, learn about wildlife conservation, and reinforce safety training in a structured, supervised environment before the season opens for other hunters. Licensed adult hunters who serve as mentors have an opportunity to pass on their considerable skills and knowledge by offering guidance and advice to younger hunters. The following rules are in effect:
- to participate, young hunters under the age of majority do not require the federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit;
- young participants must comply with all existing safety and licensing requirements found in the Firearms Act and provincial hunting regulations;
- participants must be accompanied by a licensed mentor over the age of majority; and
- mentors may not hunt or carry a firearm, and may accompany no more than two young hunters.
For information on the safety and licensing requirements for young hunters please contact the Provincial Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025, or for questions on the Firearms Act, contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000.
Non-toxic shot must be used in all areas of Canada to hunt migratory game birds, except for woodcock, Band-tailed Pigeons, murres (turrs) and Mourning Doves. For those birds still hunted with lead shot, remove the lead shot before cooking whenever possible in order to reduce your exposure to contaminants.
Helpful Tip
Canadians may be exposed to avian-borne viruses when hunting or handling migratory birds and other wild game. Environment Canada recommends the following website, maintained by the Public Health Agency of Canada, for information about minimizing the risk of exposure: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
Regulation of Migratory Bird Hunting
The Canadian hunting regulations for migratory game birds are reviewed annually by Environment Canada, with input from the provinces and territories, and a range of other interested stakeholders. As part of this process, the Canadian Wildlife Service produces three reports each year. Information on the status of migratory game birds in Canada or proposals to amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations can be found on Environment Canada's Nature Website.
CRIME STOPPERS
Hunting violations may be reported to Environment Canada Wildlife Enforcement at 709-772-7040, your local RCMP detachment, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
| Area | Ducks, including mergansers (other than Long-tailed Ducks,* Harlequin Ducks,** eiders and scoters), geese and snipe | Long-tailed Ducks,* eiders and scoters |
|---|---|---|
| All coastal zones | Sept. 15 to Dec. 29, 2012 Waterfowler Heritage Day: Sept. 8, 2012 | Nov. 24, 2012, to Feb. 28, 2013 |
| All inland zones | Sept. 15 to Dec. 29, 2012 Waterfowler Heritage Day: Sept. 8, 2012 | No open season |
* Long-tailed Duck is the current name for Oldsquaw.
** Harlequin Ducks are also known locally as Lords and Ladies, White-eyed Divers, or Squeakers.
| Limits | Ducks (other than mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks,* Harlequin Ducks,** eiders and scoters) | Mergansers | Long-tailed Ducks,*eiders and scoters | Geese | Snipe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily bag | 6(a) | 6 | 6 | 5 | 10 |
| Possession | 12(b) | 12 | 12 | 10 | 20 |
* Long-tailed Duck is the current name for Oldsquaw.
** Harlequin Ducks are also known locally as Lords and Ladies, White-eyed Divers, or Squeakers.
(a) Not more than 4 may be American Black Ducks, and not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye.
(b) Not more than 8 may be American Black Ducks, and not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye.
Area | Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks** and eiders), geese and snipe | Eiders |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Labrador Zone | Sept. 1 to Dec. 8, 2012 | Sept. 29, 2012, to Jan. 12, 2013 |
| Western Labrador Zone | Sept. 1 to Dec.8, 2012 | No open season |
| Southern Labrador Zone | Sept. 8 to Dec. 15, 2012 Waterfowler Heritage Day: Sept. 1, 2012 | Nov. 24, 2012, to Feb. 28, 2013 |
| Central Labrador Zone | Sept. 1 to Dec. 8, 2012 | Oct. 27 to Nov. 24, 2012, and Jan. 5 to Feb. 28, 2013 |
** Harlequin Ducks are also known locally as Lords and Ladies, White-eyed Divers, or Squeakers.
| Limits | Ducks (other than mergansers, Harlequin Ducks,** eiders and scoters) | Mergansers, scoters and eiders | Geese | Snipe |
| Daily bag | 6(a) | 6 | 5 | 10 |
| Possession | 12(b) | 12 | 10 | 20 |
** Harlequin Ducks are also known locally as Lords and Ladies, White-eyed Divers, or Squeakers.
(a) Not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye.
(b) Not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye.
| Limits | Murres |
|---|---|
| Daily bag | 20 |
| Possession | 40 |
Report Your Migratory Bird Bands
Call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or go to: www.reportband.gov
- Date Modified: