The information presented here is a summary of the law. For complete information regarding fines, general prohibitions, permitted methods of hunting and equipment, the requirement to have adequate means to retrieve birds immediately, restrictions on the use of bait, description of hunting zones, and other regulations, you may contact:
Enforcement Coordinator
Canadian Wildlife Service
17 Waterfowl Lane
P.O. Box 6227
Sackville, New Brunswick E4L 1G6
Tel.: (506) 364-5032
Fax: (506) 364-5062
www.ns.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/index.html
Check your permit and provincial hunting regulations for additional restrictions, such as the 1:00 P.M. closure for Tabusintac and Tracadie lagoons, the requirement to use a dog while hunting woodcock during September, etc.
Waterfowler Heritage Day provides young hunters under the age of majority with the opportunity to practise 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.
Non-toxic shot must be used in all areas of Canada to hunt migratory game birds, except for woodcock, Band-tailed Pigeons, and Mourning Doves. 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. As well, remove the skin and fat from fish-eating birds before cooking them.
Canadians may be exposed to the West Nile virus when bird-watching, hunting, or handling migratory birds and other wild game. Environment Canada recommends that you consult the following Web site, maintained by Health Canada, for information about minimizing the risk of exposure: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/westnile/animals.html.
| Hunting Zones |
Zone No. 1
Saint John County south of No. 1 Highway and west of Saint John Harbour, that part of Charlotte County lying south of No. 1 Highway, and the Grand Manan Islands and Campobello Island, except the following area, which is closed to hunting: the area in the Bay of Fundy known as The Wolves, including the surrounding waters.
Zone No. 2
The remainder of the Province of New Brunswick, except the following, which are closed to hunting: the estuary of the Tabusintac River, Bathurst Basin and most of Bathurst Harbour (two islands remain open and signs have been posted to indicate their locations), and the Dalhousie shoreline from the eastern tip of Dalhousie Island to the mouth of the Miller Brook and extending one kilometre offshore. |
CRIME STOPPERS
The Canadian Wildlife Service has joined forces with New Brunswick Crime
Stoppers to address offences concerning migratory birds. Anyone wishing to
report illegal hunting activities, illegal selling of birds, or other offences related
to migratory birds is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Your call is anonymous, and you may be eligible for a cash reward. |
| OPEN SEASONS IN NEW BRUNSWICK (No open season for Harlequin Ducks) |
| Area |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks) and geese
WATERFOWLER HERITAGE DAY |
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), geese, and snipe |
Additional season for Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Oldsquaw*, eiders and scoters in coastal waters only |
Woodcock |
| Zone No. 1 |
September 17 |
October 15 to January 3 |
February 1 to February 25 |
September 15 to November 30 |
| Zone No. 2 |
September 17 |
October 1 to December 17 |
No additional season |
September 15 to November 30 |
| * Oldsquaw ducks are now referred to as Long-tailed Ducks. |
| BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS IN NEW BRUNSWICK |
| Limits |
Ducks (other than Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Oldsquaw*, Harlequin Ducks, eiders, and scoters) |
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, Oldsquaw,* eiders, and scoters |
Geese |
Woodcock |
Snipe |
| Daily bags |
6(a) |
6(c) |
5 |
8 |
10 |
| Possession |
12(b) |
12(d) |
10 |
16 |
20 |
| (a) |
Not more than three may be American Black Ducks. |
| (b) |
Not more than six may be American Black Ducks. |
| (c) |
Not more than four may be scoters and in Zone No. 1 from February 1 to February 25; not more than four eiders may be taken daily. |
| (d) |
Not more than eight may be scoters and in Zone No. 1 from February 1 to February 25; not more than eight eiders may be possessed. |
| * |
Oldsquaw ducks are now referred to as Long-tailed Ducks. |
|
 |
| Watch for this loon on blue signs marking National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. |
|
REPORT YOUR MIGRATORY BIRD BANDS:
CALL 1-800-327-BAND (2263) |
