Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations, 2012–2013: Northwest Territories

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Watch for this loon on blue signs marking National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.

• Summary
• Helpful Tip
• Open Seasons in the Northwest Territories
• Bag and Possession Limits in the Northwest Territories
• Report Your Migratory Bird Bands

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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
5019, 52 Street
P.O. Box 2310
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories  X1A 2P7
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

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.

Non-toxic shot must be used to hunt migratory birds in all areas of Canada. Within National Wildlife Areas, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds. For those birds still hunted with lead shot, remove the lead shot before cooking whenever possible in order to reduce your exposure to contaminants. As well, remove the skin and fat from fish-eating birds before cooking them.

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

Open Seasons in the Northwest Territories

Area	Ducks, geese, coots and snipe
Throughout the Northwest Territories	Sept. 1 to Dec. 10, 2012

 

Bag and Possession Limits in the Northwest Territories

Limits	Ducks RESIDENTS OF CANADA	Ducks NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA	Geese RESIDENTS OF CANADA	Geese NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA	Coots RESIDENTS OF CANADA AND NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA	Snipe RESIDENTS OF CANADA	Snipe NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA
Daily bag	25	8	15	5(a)	25	10	10
Possession	No limit	16	No limit	10(a)	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.

Note
No person shall hunt earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sunset.

Report Your Migratory Bird Bands

Call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or go to: www.reportband.gov