Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations, 2013–2014: Manitoba
Download the PDF version – 283 KB
- Summary
- Game Bird Hunting Zones
- Consultation Process and Migratory Birds Regulatory Reports
- Important Updates to the Hunting Regulations for Manitoba
- Helpful Tip
- Open Seasons in Manitoba
- Bag and Possession Limits in Manitoba
- Overabundant Species
- Measures in Manitoba Concerning Overabundant Species
- Report Your Migratory Bird Bands
Summary
ERRATUM: Please note that there is an error in the French printed Manitoba 2013-14 hunting summary. This is the paper summary that is distributed with the sale of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit.
The error is in the Overabundant Species table, Zones 2,3 and 4. The open season dates are printed as April 1 to May 31, 2014, and should instead be March 15 to May 31, 2014.
Please be aware that if there is a discrepancy between the hunting regulation summary and the Migratory Birds Regulations, the regulations prevail.
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), or you may contact:
Environment Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
Suite 150
123 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4W2
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.
Consultation Process and Migratory Birds Regulatory Reports
The hunting provisions of the Migratory Birds Regulations are reviewed annually by Environment Canada, with input from the provinces and territories, as well as a range of other interested stakeholders. Environment Canada has developed a consultation process for establishing hunting regulations for migratory birds, and annually publishes the Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Series that can be found on the Environment Canada website (www.ec.gc.ca).
Important Updates to the Hunting Regulations for Manitoba
Introduction of Waterfowler Heritage Days across Manitoba – Waterfowler Heritage Days are now in Zone 1.
Increase in season length for ducks, geese, coots and snipe, for residents of Canada, in Game Bird Hunting Zones 2, 3 and 4, and an extension of the spring special conservation season length in Game Bird Hunting Zones 2, 3 and 4.
Increase in the daily bag limit for Canada and Cackling Geese from 8 to 12, in Game Bird Hunting Area 38, for residents of Canada only, from September 1 to 23.
Lifting the afternoon restriction in some areas for non-residents of Canada, who can now hunt Snow and Ross’s Geese from one half-hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset for the entire season in some areas of the province.
Recorded Snow Goose calls may be used while hunting Snow Geese. Any species for which there is an open season may be taken while hunting Snow Geese using these recorded calls.
For complete details regarding the 2013–2014 hunting season, please refer to the Open Season and Bag and Possession Limit tables below.
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. 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.
In Manitoba, non-toxic shot must be used to hunt migratory game birds, except for woodcock. Within National Wildlife Areas, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds. Hunters should consult provincial or territorial regulations for additional restrictions. For those birds still hunted with lead shot, remove the lead shot before cooking 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
| Game Bird Hunting Zone | Ducks, geese, coots, snipe and Sandhill Cranes (Waterfowler Heritage Days) | Ducks, geese, coots and snipe (Residents of Canada) | Ducks, Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese, Brant, coots and snipe (Non-residents of Canada) | Sandhill Cranes | Snow and Ross’s Geese (Non-residents of Canada) | American Woodcock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone No. 1 | Sept. 1 to Sept. 7, 2013(a) | Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2013(a) | Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2013 | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2013(a) | N/A |
| Zone No. 2 | Sept. 1 to Sept. 7, 2013(a) | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013(a) | Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2013(a) | N/A |
| Zone No. 3 | Sept. 1 to Sept. 7, 2013(a) | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013(a) | Sept. 24 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 17 to Nov. 30, 2013(a) | Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2013 |
| Zone No. 4 | Sept. 1 to Sept. 7, 2013(a) | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013(a) | Sept. 24 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013 | Sept. 17 to Nov. 30, 2013(a) | Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2013 |
(a) Recorded Snow Goose calls may be used when hunting Snow Geese; any species of migratory bird for which it is open season may be taken while hunting Snow Geese with those calls.
| Limits | Ducks (Residents of Canada) | Ducks (Non-residents of Canada) | Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese | 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) | Sandhill Cranes | Coots | Snipe | Woodcock (Residents of Canada) | Woodcock (Non-residents of Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily bag | 8 | 8(a) | 20 | 8(c) | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Possession | 24 | 24(b) | 80 | 24 | 15 | 15 | 24 | 30 | 24 | 12 |
(a) In Game Bird Hunting Zone 4, not more than 4 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks or any combination of them.
(b) In Game Bird Hunting Zone 4, not more than 12 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks or any combination of them.
(c) In provincial Game Hunting Area 38, as described in regulations of the Province of Manitoba, made under the Wildlife Act (C.C.S.M., c. W130), up to 4 additional Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese or Brant, or any combination of them, may be taken daily during the period beginning on September 1 and ending on September 23, 2013, inclusive.
Note
The open season for non-residents of Canada in Game Bird Hunting Zone 4 and in provincial Game Hunting Areas 13A, 14, 14A, that portion of Game Hunting Area 16 south of the north limit of Township 33 and Areas 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 19, 19A, 19B, 20, 21A, 23A and 25 as described in Manitoba’s Hunting Area and Zones Regulation 220/86, of the Province of Manitoba, made under the Wildlife Act (C.C.S.M., c. W130), includes:
- in respect of Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-fronted Geese and Brant, only that part of each day from one half-hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon, local time, from the opening date (September 24, 2013) up to and including October 13, 2013, and, after that period, from one half-hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset; and
- in respect of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, only that part of each day from one half-hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset.
Overabundant Species
The Migratory Birds Regulations also provide for special conservation periods when hunters may take overabundant species. Please note that additional hunting methods or equipment are permitted during the special conservation periods. See the table below for details.
| Area | Period during which Snow Geese may be killed | Additional hunting method or equipment |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Aug. 15 to Aug. 31, 2013, and Apr. 1 to June 15, 2014 | Recorded bird calls(a) |
| Zones 2, 3 and 4 | March 15 to May 31, 2014 | Recorded bird calls(a) |
(a) "Recorded bird calls" refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note
Hunters interested in participating in the spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese should keep their 2013–2014 federal permits.
Report Your Migratory Bird Bands
Call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or go to: www.reportband.gov
- Date Modified: