Hunting Migratory Game Birds

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Frequently Asked Questions

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 $8.50 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 Wildlife Enforcement 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find the Migratory Bird Hunting Summary?

A: Each year, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) determines hunting seasons and bag limits for migratory game bird species which are then published as Schedule I of the Migratory Birds Regulations. These hunting regulations are posted on the CWS websites annually in early August, as soon as the Gazetting process is complete. For hunting summaries for all provinces and territories, refer to our national website. Refer to the provincial regulations in the province you plan to hunt for additional restrictions that may be applicable.

If the link to the hunting summary is out of date, then the new hunting regulation dates have not yet been released. Please check frequently for an update.

Q: How do I know if Sunday hunting is allowed in the area that I hunt?

A: For information on Sunday Migratory Game Bird Hunting in Ontario, refer to the following Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources document. *

Q: I'm not a resident of Ontario, but I am planning a trip to Ontario to hunt waterfowl. What information do I need to know?

A: To hunt migratory game birds in Ontario, you require the following:

1. A Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit ($8.50) and a Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp ($8.50). Essentially they are one document and are only available from Canada Post offices and postal outlets (total cost of $17). Once purchased, the permit and stamp are valid anywhere in Canada, however each province stipulates the daily harvest and possession limits of waterfowl species. For Ontario, the daily harvest and possession limits for migratory game birds can be found here.
2. A non-resident Ontario hunting license. Ontario hunting licenses are regulated by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), not Environment Canada. Licenses can be purchased from select retail stores such as Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart in Ontario as well as some large outdoor stores and hunting outfitters for a cost of $87.50. Note that licenses cannot be purchased over the Internet.

Important: To purchase a non-resident Ontario hunting license, non-resident applicants must provide documentation indicating he/she would be authorized to purchase a hunting license in their home jurisdiction. A current hunting license for your jurisdiction is an example of a suitable documentation. For more information, call the OMNR toll-free at 1-800-667-1940 or visit their Publications page. *

Q: Where do I find information on hunting large and small game animals?

A: The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada only regulates migratory game bird hunting. For inquiries regarding large and small game hunting in Ontario, please contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

In general, Ontario manages wildlife harvesting through a permit and tag system. Permits are generally used for the small game and tags are used to regulate the large game - deer, moose and bear. Individuals granted a permit or tag are required to report their harvest to OMNR for statistical purposes. This information is used by the agency to manage the population and set harvest limits.

The Ontario Hunting Regulations can be found here or by calling toll-free at 1-800-667-1940.

Q: What is the difference between the daily bag limits and the possession limits?

A: 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.

Q: Where can I find the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA)?

A: You can find information on the MBCA on the national Canadian Wildlife Service website.