Quick Reference for Migratory Game Bird Hunters in Ontario

Understanding Management for Migratory Birds

The Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA) is administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) of Environment Canada and enforced in co-operation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). Under the MBCA, CWS is responsible for managing migratory bird populations, protecting nationally significant nesting habitat, and regulating the hunting of migratory game birds such as ducks and geese. Each year, CWS determines hunting seasons and bag limits for migratory game bird species which are then published as Schedule I of the Migratory Birds Regulations.

For more information on migratory birds (including hunting summaries) and wildlife in general, refer to:

www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife

Migratory Game Bird Species

The following are migratory game bird species that may be hunted in Ontario during the open season:

• Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks)
• Geese, Snow Geese, and Brant
• Rails (other than Yellow and King Rails), American Coots, Common Snipe, Common Moorhens
• Woodcock

Please check the Regulations for the most recent list.

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Hunting Seasons

It is important to understand that there are specific seasons for hunting ducks, geese and Woodcock in Ontario. The dates for hunting these migratory game birds often vary across the province so it is very important to check the dates of the open seasons in the area(s) you will be hunting.

In many parts of Ontario, there are special early and late hunting opportunities for Canada Geese. These special seasons provide a means to increase harvest levels of the rapidly increasing Canada Goose population which breeds in southern Ontario.

Hunting Permit Requirements

To hunt migratory game birds in Ontario, a person, other than an Indian or Inuk, must have a Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and a Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, as well as an Ontario license to hunt small game. Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamps are available from any main Canada Post Office.

In accordance with the MBCA, every person required to hold a migratory game bird hunting permit shall:

1. have the permit on his/her person at all times,
1. while hunting, or
2. while in possession of a migratory game bird in a place other than his residence; and
2. show the permit to any game officer forthwith upon request.

Daily Bag Limits and Possession Limits

The difference between the daily bag limit and the possession limit is that the daily bag limit is the maximum number of birds you may kill during any single day of hunting. The possession limit is the maximum number of birds that you may have in your possession, including the number of birds you have at your residence or any other place, and those in the field.

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Transporting Carcasses

You may transport a hunting partner's birds as well as your own; you may do so, even if your hunting partner is not traveling with you. However, the following conditions must be met:

1. the birds must have been taken legally;
2. a tag is attached to each carcass with the following information:
1. the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit number;
2. the date the birds were taken;
3. the name and full mailing address of the permit holder; and
4. the signature of the permit holder.

If the birds are being transported or shipped in a container, the following must be clearly marked on the outside:

1. name and address of the shipper;
2. the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit number; and
3. an accurate statement of the contents of the container.

Important: If the birds are cleaned prior to transport, one fully feathered wing must be left attached to the bird for identification purposes.

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Reporting Leg Bands

You may keep the bird band but please call to report the band number:

1-800-327-BAND

Bird bands help to determine hunting regulations from year to year. The Canadian Wildlife Service sets hunting seasons and bag limits for migratory game birds based on the latest scientific information on the numbers and health of each species. Band information collected from hunters assists wildlife biologists in monitoring bird populations. Proposed regulations, developed jointly with the provincial and territorial governments, are made available for public comment by interested stakeholders, whose comments are used to amend the final proposals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have misplaced my Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit. Do I have to purchase a new permit before I go out hunting migratory game birds?

Answer: Yes. If you misplace your current Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit, you must purchase a new permit at your expense.

2. Can I give my Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit to a hunting partner if, for some reason, I cannot go hunting?

Answer: No, your Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit is not transferable and it must be completed and signed by the person it was issued to.

3. Why must all hunters leave one fully feathered wing attached to each migratory game bird? When can this feathered wing be removed?

Answer: In many areas of Canada, daily bag limits and possession limits are species specific. For example, one province may only allow a daily bag limit of two (2) Canvasback ducks, while the total daily bag limit in that area may be six (6) ducks. If the fully feathered wing, which readily identifies the species of waterfowl, were not left on the bird, it would be difficult for enforcement officers to accurately inspect and identify the hunter's daily bag or possession limits. The wing may be removed once the bird is prepared for immediate cooking or after the bird is taken to the owner's residence for preservation.

4. I enjoy waterfowl hunting but I am not fond of the taste of some ducks. Can I trade some of my legally harvested ducks for goods such as shot gun shells?

Answer: No. It is illegal to sell, trade, barter or buy migratory birds, or the carcasses of them. If you enjoy a specific type of duck, focus on hunting that particular duck.

5. Is it legal to hunt in areas where bait, such as grain or corn, has been deposited in order to attract waterfowl?

Answer: No. In Ontario, it is illegal to hunt migratory birds within 400 metres (437 yards) of a place where bait has been deposited, unless that place has been free of bait for at least seven (7) days. Also, the depositing of bait must cease 14 days before the first day of the open season for that place

6. I like to hunt ducks with a .12 gauge shotgun and geese with a .10 gauge shotgun. Is it okay to have both shotguns in a hunting blind while hunting ducks and geese?

Answer: Yes. However, the extra shotgun you have with you must be unloaded and disassembled or unloaded and cased.

7. When hunting migratory game birds, what is the maximum number of shells that can be loaded into my firearm?

Answer: The capacity of the firearm must be modified so that the maximum number of shells it is capable of holding does not exceed three (3) in the magazine and chamber combined.

8. While hunting out of a boat, can I start shooting at waterfowl as soon as the engine has been turned off?

Answer: No. Hunting may only commence once the motor has been turned off and the boat has stopped its forward progress.

9. Is it permissible to use recorded bird calls to attract birds?

Answer: Check the current Migratory Birds Regulations for information on permissible hunting equipment and mechanical devices.

10. Bird retrieval is sometimes difficult when hunting in a marshy area. I do not own a boat or a dog to assist in retrieving the birds I shoot down. What are the regulations around retrieving birds?

Answer: You must have adequate means for retrieving any bird you may kill, cripple, or injure. Once the bird has been shot, you must immediately make every reasonable effort to retrieve the bird and, if it is still alive, immediately kill it and include it in your daily limit.

A Game Officer checks a hunter's catch / Canadian Wildlife Service

11. What are the legal hours for hunting waterfowl in Ontario?

Answer: Legal hunting hours for migratory game birds are as follows:

1. South of the 60th parallel, you may hunt from half (½) hour before sunrise to half (½) hour after sunset.
2. North of the 60th parallel, you may hunt from one (1) hour before sunrise to one (1) hour after sunset.

12. Is it true that I must use non-toxic shot when hunting migratory game birds?

Answer: Yes. Effective September 1, 1999, the possession or use of lead shot for hunting most migratory game birds was banned. Lead shot is still permitted for hunting Woodcock, except when hunting within National Wildlife Areas.

13. Does the non-toxic shot regulation apply to everyone?

Answer: Yes, it applies to everyone including international visitors.

14. What will happen to me if I break any of the hunting laws?

Answer: There are various enforcement actions that can be taken against an individual who does not comply with the law. Depending on the offence, enforcement actions may include but are not limited to: fines, suspension of Migratory Game Bird hunting privileges, forfeiture of equipment, and imprisonment.

15. Do the harvest limits apply to professional outfitters and guides?

Answer: Yes, the harvest limits apply to everyone and as a hunter, even one visiting from another province or country, you must know the harvest limits for each species you choose to hunt. Professional outfitters and guides should be familiar with the limits, but it is always advisable to be familiar with regulations yourself. If you are in violation of the law, it will be you, not the guide, who is held responsible.

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Contacts

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