Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations, 2012–2013: Manitoba

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

Loon


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
Suite 150
123 Main Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4W2
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Game Bird Hunting Zones

Map: Game Bird Hunting Zones - Manitoba

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.

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.

Non-toxic shot must be used in all areas of Canada 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 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

Open Seasons in Manitoba
Game Bird Hunting ZoneDucks and geese WATERFOWLER HERITAGE DAYSDucks, geese, coots and snipe
RESIDENTS OF CANADA
Ducks, Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, coots and snipe
NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA
Sandhill Cranes
RESIDENTS OF CANADA AND NON-RESIDENTS
OF CANADA
Snow and Ross’s geese
NON-RESIDENTS
OF CANADA
Woodcock
RESIDENTS OF CANADA AND NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA
Zone No. 1N/ASept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2012(a)Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2012(a)Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2012Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2012(a)N/A
Zone No. 2Sept. 1 to
Sept. 7, 2012
Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2012Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)N/A
Zone No. 3Sept. 1 to
Sept. 7, 2012
Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 24 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2012Sept. 17 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012
Zone No. 4Sept. 1 to
Sept. 7, 2012
Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 24 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, 2012Sept. 17 to Nov. 30, 2012(a)Sept. 8 to Nov. 30, 2012

(a)  Snow Goose call recordings may be used.

Bag and Possession Limits in Manitoba
LimitsDucks RESIDENTS OF CANADADucks
NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA
White geese (Snow and Ross’s geese)Dark geese (Canada, Cackling, and White- fronted Geese, and Brant) RESIDENTS
OF CANADA
Dark geese (Canada, Cackling, and White-fronted Geese, and Brant)
NON-RESIDENTS
OF CANADA
Sandhill CranesCootsSnipeWoodcock RESIDENTS OF CANADAWoodcock NON-RESIDENTS OF CANADA
Daily bag88(a)2085581084
Possession2424(b)8024151524302412

(a)  In Game Bird Hunting Zone 4 for non-residents, a total of not more than 4 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks.
(b)  In Game Bird Hunting Zone 4 for non-residents, a total of not more than 12 may be Redheads or Canvasbacks.

Note
The open season for hunting geese by non-residents of Canada in Game Bird Hunting Zone 4, and the Provincial Game Hunting Areas 13A, 14, 14A, all that portion of Game Hunting Area 16 south of the north limit of township 33, Game Hunting Areas 18, 18A, 18B, 18C, 19, 19A, 19B, 20, 21A, 23A and 25 as described in the Manitoba Hunting Area and Zones Regulation (220/86) as filed on September 25, 1986, includes only that part of each day from one half-hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon, local time, from the opening date (September 24, 2012) up to and including the second Sunday of October 2012, and thereafter geese may be hunted from one half-hour before sunrise until one half-hour after sunset. However, during the first week of the non-resident Snow and Ross’s geese season (beginning on September 17, 2012), these species may be hunted 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.

Measures in Manitoba Concerning Overabundant Species
AreaPeriod during which Snow Geese may be killedAdditional hunting method or equipment
Zone 1Aug. 15 to Aug. 31, 2012,
and Apr. 1 to June 15, 2013
Recorded bird calls(a)
Zones 2, 3 and 4Apr. 1 to May 31, 2013Recorded 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 2012–2013 federal permits.

Report Your Migratory Bird Bands

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