Hunting Information and Regulations Highlights

For more information on these and other changes to this year's hunting regulations, pick up your copy of the Hunting Regulations Summary (PDF 5.1 MB) book published by the Department of Environment. It is available where hunting licences are sold. It provides more information and details on a number of voluntary no-hunting requests, a sheep survey and wildlife studies.

Specific info for non-resident hunters

First You Need a Hunting Licence

You must have a valid hunting licence to hunt in the Yukon. The current licence year runs from April 1, 2006 to March 31, 2007.

Hunting Licence Fees:

Big Game and Small Game			Small Game Only
Yukon resident	$10		Yukon resident	$5
Non-resident Canadian	$75		Non-resident	$20
Non-resident alien	$150
Indian or Inuit	Free
Yukon resident 65 or older	Free
Trapping concession holder	$5		GST extra

A Yukon resident is:

(a) a person who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has been in the Yukon for a period of at least 12 months immediately prior to the time the person's residence becomes material under the Wildlife Act; and

(b) who has been physically present in the Yukon for at least 185 days during the 12 month period described in paragraph (a); or

(c) a person who belongs to a class of persons considered to be Yukon residents by the regulations.

Changes to residency provisions

Previously, residents who maintained a home and family here but had to work outside the territory did not qualify for resident hunting licenses. Effective August 1, 2003, Yukon residents who maintain a home and family in the Yukon and who file their taxes in the Yukon, but who must leave the territory for work, to attend school or for medical reasons can apply for a resident hunting licence through the new Residency Exemption form.

Licences are available at:

all Environment Yukon offices

Territorial Agents in other Yukon communities

selected sporting goods stores (if you had a hunting licence the previous year)

the Yukon Fish and Game Association

You must carry your licence

You must sign your licence, carry it with you when hunting, and produce it when asked to do so by a Conservation Officer or RCMP Officer.

Migratory Birds

It is unlawful to hunt migratory birds without a federal migratory game bird permit. The permit is available at post offices along with the regulations describing legal species and bag limits. Open season for ducks, geese, rails, coots and snipe runs from September 1 to October 31. All other migratory birds are protected from hunting.

Big Game Seals

If you wish to hunt big game, you must first obtain a big game seal for each animal you plan to hunt.

Seal Fees:
Moose	$5		Caribou	$5
Black Bear	$5		Mountain Goat	$10
Mountain Sheep	$10		Grizzly Bear	$25
Bison	$50
GST extra

Big game seals are not required for coyote, wolverine or wolves.

Big game seals are provided free of charge to First Nation members and Yukon residents 65 years of age or older.

You must carry your seals and...

You must carry your big game seals with you every time you hunt big game. When you kill a big game animal, you must immediately cancel the seal by cutting out the tabs which indicate the date, the sex of the animal, and the zone in which it was taken. You must then attach the seal to the carcass and leave it attached until you get the carcass home, or until it has been inspected by a Conservation Officer.

Lost Licences and Seals

If your licence or seals are lost or destroyed, you must replace them before you hunt again. To replace them you must fill out a sworn affidavit and pay a $2 fee for each licence or seal. Affidavits can be obtained at your Environment Yukon office, RCMP office or Territorial Agent.

Loan or Transfer of Licences

It is unlawful to use another person's licence, seal or permit or allow another person to use yours.

Young Hunters

Youth 12 years and older are now allowed their own hunting licence. The previous age limit was 14 years. Hunters age 12 and 13 will not be allowed to have their own tags. A licensed adult must accompany all young hunters under the age of 16.

Young hunters born after April 1, 1987 are now required to take a hunter education course before they are issued a Yukon hunting license. This is to ensure they have an acceptable level of knowledge and safety.

If you are under 18, to carry a firearm you must have a valid firearm possession licence for minors, or be under the direct and immediate supervision of the adult who owns the firearm.

You must be at least 12 years of age to be eligible for a firearm possession licence for minors. Exceptions are made for aboriginal youth taking part in traditional hunts, and for sustenance hunters (aboriginal and non-aboriginal).

If you are between 11 and 18 years of age you must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Course before you can obtain a firearm possession licence for minors. Exceptions are made for aboriginal youths taking part in traditional hunts, and for sustenance hunters (aboriginal and non-aboriginal).

Mandatory hunter education

Effective August 1, 2003 hunting licence applicants who were born after April 1, 1987, will be required to show proof that they have successfully completed a recognized hunter education program before they become eligible for a licence. Applicants can show their certificate from a Yukon Hunter Education and Ethics Development (HEED) workshop, or a Hunter Education certificate from any jurisdiction in Canada or the United States.

For More Information

For more detail about firearm laws applying to minors call the Canadian Firearms Centre toll free at 1-800-731-4000, or contact the Chief Firearms Office in Terrace, BC. Phone (250) 638-7475.

Learn your hunting skills the right way. Read about HEED.