Hunting Seasons in Canada 2026
| Species / Season | Open Season | Night Hunting | Methods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitetail Deer Season Canada | 09/15 – 12/31 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Bow season from September, rifle from November · Province-specific tags required |
| Moose Season Canada | 09/15 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Rut in September/October · Limited tags, lottery draw in many provinces |
| Elk Season Canada | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Rut in September, prime time · Limited tags, pre-application required |
| Black Bear Season Canada | 04/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Spring and fall, province-dependent · Provincial permits |
| Caribou Season Canada | 08/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Barren-ground and woodland · Strictly limited, draw system |
| Snow Goose Season Canada | 09/01 – 03/31 | no | rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Conservation harvest, high bag limits · Migratory Bird Stamp |
| Mule Deer (Buck) | 09/01 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Western provinces: BC, AB, SK |
| White-tailed Deer (Doe) | 10/15 – 12/31 | no | rifle, bow, shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Population management tags |
| Grizzly Bear | 09/01 – 11/15 | no | rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Only BC, AB, YT, NT, NU; limited tags |
| Cougar | 09/01 – 03/31 | no | rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — BC and Alberta, dogs allowed |
| Wolf | 08/15 – 03/31 | no | rifle, trap | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — In most western provinces and territories |
| Coyote | year-round | no | rifle, shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Year-round in most provinces |
| Black-tailed Deer (Buck) | 09/01 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — British Columbia coastal region |
| Mountain Goat | 08/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — BC, AB, YT; limited tags |
| Bighorn Sheep (Ram) | 09/01 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — BC and Alberta, very limited |
| Dall/Stone Sheep (Ram) | 08/01 – 10/15 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — BC, YT, NT; legendary mountain hunting |
| Pronghorn | 09/15 – 10/31 | no | rifle, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Alberta and Saskatchewan, limited |
| Bison | 08/15 – 03/31 | no | rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — NT, NU; Indigenous and limited licenses |
| Wild Boar | year-round | no | rifle, shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Invasive species, year-round in AB, SK |
| Red Fox | 10/01 – 02/28 | no | rifle, trap | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Furbearer in all provinces |
| Bobcat | 11/01 – 02/28 | no | rifle, trap | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — BC, AB, ON; trapping and rifle hunting |
| Canadian Lynx | 11/01 – 02/28 | no | trap | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Primarily trapping |
| Raccoon | 10/01 – 02/28 | yes | rifle, trap | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. |
| Cottontail Rabbit | 09/01 – 03/31 | no | shotgun, rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Ontario and eastern provinces |
| Snowshoe Hare | 09/01 – 03/31 | no | shotgun, rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — In all provinces and territories |
| Ruffed Grouse | 09/01 – 01/15 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Canada's most popular upland bird |
| Spruce Grouse | 09/01 – 12/31 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Boreal forest, all provinces |
| Sharp-tailed Grouse | 09/01 – 12/31 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Prairie provinces: AB, SK, MB |
| Ptarmigan | 09/01 – 04/30 | no | shotgun, rifle | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Northern territories and alpine zones |
| Wild Turkey (Spring) | 04/25 – 05/31 | no | shotgun, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Ontario and eastern provinces |
| Wild Turkey (Fall) | 10/01 – 11/30 | no | shotgun, bow | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Ontario only |
| Mallard | 09/15 – 01/15 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Most common hunted duck |
| Canada Goose | 09/01 – 01/15 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. |
| American Woodcock | 09/15 – 12/15 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — QC, ON, NB, NS, PE |
| Mourning Dove | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | shotgun | Seasons and regulations set by each province/territory. — Only in a few provinces (BC, ON) |
| Moose Season Alberta (AB) | 09/10 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Bow season from September, rifle from October. WMU-dependent. · Draw tag required in many WMUs. |
| Elk Season Alberta (AB) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Rut hunting in September popular. Rocky Mountain foothills. · Limited tags, draw system. |
| Mule Deer Season Alberta (AB) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Prairie and foothills. Bow season from September. · General tag or draw tag depending on WMU. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Alberta (AB) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Parkland and boreal forest. Most common big game. · General tag available in most WMUs. |
| Black Bear Season Alberta (AB) | 04/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall hunt Sep-Nov. Baiting allowed. · Two tags per season possible. |
| Moose Season British Columbia (BC) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Northern and central regions. Bow season from September. · LEH (Limited Entry Hunting) in many areas. |
| Elk Season British Columbia (BC) | 09/01 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Kootenays and Vancouver Island. Rut hunting in September. · LEH in most regions. |
| Mule Deer Season British Columbia (BC) | 09/01 – 12/10 | no | rifle, bow | Interior and Okanagan. Most common big game in the south. · General open season in most MUs. |
| Grizzly Bear Season British Columbia (BC) | 04/01 – 11/15 | no | rifle | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. No trophy hunt since 2017. · LEH. Meat hunt only, no trophy hunt. |
| Black Bear Season British Columbia (BC) | 04/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. High population. · Two tags per year possible in some MUs. |
| Moose Season Ontario (ON) | 09/15 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow | Bow season from September, rifle from October. Northern Ontario. · Draw tag required. Calf tag or bull tag. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Ontario (ON) | 10/01 – 12/31 | no | rifle, bow, shotgun | Bow from October, rifle November. Most common big game. · WMU-dependent. Shotgun-only zones in southern Ontario. |
| Black Bear Season Ontario (ON) | 04/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt May-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. Baiting allowed. · Two seasons. Tourist baiting regulations apply. |
| Moose Season Québec (QC) | 09/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Bow from September, rifle from October. Northern Québec to Laurentians. · Zone-dependent. Draw in some zones. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Québec (QC) | 09/15 – 12/01 | no | rifle, bow, shotgun | Bow from September. Rifle from November. Southern Québec. · Zone-dependent. Crossbow season separate. |
| Black Bear Season Québec (QC) | 05/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt May-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. Baiting allowed. · Two seasons. Bait site registration required. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Manitoba (MB) | 09/01 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow | Bow from September, rifle from October. Parkland and prairie fringe. · GHA-dependent. General and draw tags. |
| Moose Season Manitoba (MB) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Boreal forest and Interlake region. Rut in September. · Draw tag required in most GHAs. |
| Elk Season Manitoba (MB) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Riding Mountain and Duck Mountain. Rut hunting in September. · Limited tags. Draw system. |
| Black Bear Season Manitoba (MB) | 04/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. Baiting allowed. · General season. No draw required. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Saskatchewan (SK) | 09/15 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow | Bow from September, rifle from November. Parkland and prairie. · WMZ-dependent. Antlerless tags in some zones. |
| Moose Season Saskatchewan (SK) | 09/15 – 12/01 | no | rifle, bow | Boreal forest in the north. Rut in September/October. · Draw tag required in most WMZs. |
| Elk Season Saskatchewan (SK) | 09/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Northern parkland and forest fringe. Rut hunting in September. · Draw tag required. |
| Black Bear Season Saskatchewan (SK) | 04/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. Boreal forest. · General season in most WMZs. |
| Moose Season Yukon (YT) | 08/01 – 11/30 | no | rifle | Wilderness hunting. Rut Sep-Oct. Alaska-Yukon moose. · Area-specific. Guided hunt required for non-residents. |
| Elk Season Yukon (YT) | 08/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle | Small population in Takhini Valley. Rut in September. · Very limited. Draw tag. |
| Grizzly Bear Season Yukon (YT) | 04/01 – 11/15 | no | rifle | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall Aug-Nov. Wilderness hunting. · Limited tags. Guided hunt for non-residents. |
| Caribou Season Northwest Territories (NT) | 08/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle | Barren-ground caribou. Tundra and transitional forest. · Strictly limited. Area-specific quotas. |
| Moose Season Northwest Territories (NT) | 08/15 – 11/30 | no | rifle | Boreal forest and Mackenzie Valley. Wilderness hunting. · General tag for residents. Guided hunt for non-residents. |
| Muskox Season Northwest Territories (NT) | 08/15 – 04/30 | no | rifle | Arctic tundra. Rare trophy hunting. · Very limited tags. Guided hunt mandatory. |
| Caribou Season Nunavut (NU) | 08/01 – 10/31 | no | rifle | Barren-ground and Peary caribou. Tundra. · Quotas by Nunavut Wildlife Management Board. Inuit priority. |
| Muskox Season Nunavut (NU) | 08/15 – 04/30 | no | rifle | Arctic islands and tundra. World's largest population. · Inuit quotas. Guided hunt for non-residents, very limited. |
| Moose Season Nunavut (NU) | 08/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle | Southwestern Nunavut, Thelon area. · Very limited. Area-specific. |
| Moose Season New Brunswick (NB) | 09/24 – 10/29 | no | rifle | Short season late September/October. Acadian forests. · Draw tag required. High demand. |
| White-tailed Deer Season New Brunswick (NB) | 10/15 – 12/01 | no | rifle, bow | Rifle from November. Bow from October. · General tag. Antler restrictions in some zones. |
| Black Bear Season New Brunswick (NB) | 04/15 – 11/15 | no | rifle, bow | Spring hunt Apr-Jun, fall Sep-Nov. Baiting common. · General tag. |
| Moose Season Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) | 09/15 – 12/31 | no | rifle | High moose density in Newfoundland. Introduced population since 1904. · Draw tag required. Very popular hunt. |
| Caribou Season Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) | 09/01 – 10/15 | no | rifle | Woodland caribou in Labrador. George River and Mealy Mountains. · Strictly limited. Draw system. |
| Black Bear Season Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) | 04/15 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Spring and fall hunt. Baiting allowed. · General tag. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Nova Scotia (NS) | 10/01 – 12/01 | no | rifle, bow, shotgun | Bow from October, rifle November. Acadian forests. · General tag. Sex restrictions in some zones. |
| Moose Season Nova Scotia (NS) | 10/01 – 10/07 | no | rifle | Very short season (one week). Cape Breton Island. · Draw tag. Cape Breton only. Strictly limited. |
| Black Bear Season Nova Scotia (NS) | 09/15 – 11/30 | no | rifle, bow | Fall hunt. Baiting allowed. · General tag. |
| White-tailed Deer Season Prince Edward Island (PE) | 10/01 – 12/15 | no | rifle, bow, shotgun | Bow from October, firearms November. Small island. · Shotgun-only in some areas. General tag. |
Note: Summary from the HuntKit hunting seasons database (as of 2026-08-02). Seasons may vary regionally and change at short notice — the official regulations of the respective country/state prevail. Not legal advice.
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