Hunting Migratory Game Birds

For many of Ontario's hunters, migratory bird hunting is a valued tradition. To ensure that healthy waterfowl populations are conserved, the Canadian Wildlife Service sets hunting season dates and harvest limits each year, province by province.

The following are migratory birds that may be hunted in Ontario during the open season:

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

Waterfowl hunters – print these handy reference booklets and keep them with you in the field:

 
Ducks at a Distance: A Waterfowl Identification Guide
 

 
Quick Reference for Migratory Game Bird Hunters in Ontario

Permits for Hunters

Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits are available for purchase by 1 August of each year at Canada Post sales counters and retail outlets. The current price is $17.00 for the Hunting Permit plus $8.50 for the Habitat Stamp. The Habitat Stamp must be affixed to the Hunting Permit in order to make the Permit valid.

The Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations brochure - which provides summary details on season dates, bag and possession limits, as well as other notes of importance - is available at no charge from the same Canada Post outlets.

Hunters are advised that additional information about Wildlife Regulations including general prohibitions, offenses, penalties, use of bait and other restrictions on hunting may be obtained by contacting the CWS Wildlife Enforcement Division at: 905-336-6410.

Hybrid Ducks

The hybridization (cross-breeding) of ducks, such as a Mallard Duck with a Black Duck, occurs naturally in the wild and is increasingly common. As a waterfowl hunter, you must know how to identify this specific hybrid in order to be compliant with the harvest and possession limits.

A Black Duck X Mallard Duck hybrid is included in your harvest limits for ducks. If regulations allow, therefore, you can continue hunting to harvest a Black Duck.

Identification of hybrid ducks can be tricky, especially in poor light conditions and at a distance. Certain characteristics described in the chart below will help you to distinguish a cross-bred (Black Duck X Mallard Duck) from a pure Black Duck or pure Mallard Duck.

HYBRID – Black Duck X Mallard Duck
mainly white covert feathers (small feathers) on the leading edge of the wing less than 11 dark underwing feathers near the leading edge of the wing partial white band on the leading edge of the secondary feathers head colouring may include some green
BLACK DUCK
dark overall (darker than the Mallard) with a dark-blue to purple speculum (no white colour band) 11 or more dark covert feathers (small feathers) on the leading edge of the wing dark brown head (cap) pale, grey-brown face with greenish-yellow bill
MALLARD DUCK
a blue colouring on the speculum (wing) with a white colour band along the leading and trailing edge of the wing

Baiting (Depositing Bait)

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.

Opening dates for migratory game bird hunting vary across the province and these dates affect baiting activities. Depositing of bait must cease 14 days before the first day of the open season for that place.

For example, if the open season for duck hunting in your area commences on September 1, bait cannot be not deposited in your area August 17, which is 14 days before September 1. Similarly, in areas of Ontario where goose hunting commences earlier than the dates for ducks and woodcock, depositing bait must cease 14 days before the opening date of the goose hunting season.

Hunting From a Boat

Hunters are permitted to hunt from a power boat as long as the motor is turned off (not in operation) and the boat has stopped its forward progress before firing commences.

Hunt Lead-free

Effective September 1, 1999, the use of lead shot was banned nationally for migratory game bird hunting except when hunting Woodcock. In Ontario you can not hunt Band-tailed Pigeons or Mourning Doves.

For more information on using lead shot: Lead poisoning of water birds.