Hunting Prohibited Except in Open Seasons

It is unlawful to hunt, take or kill any wildlife except during open seasons.

Licence Required

It is unlawful to hunt, take, or kill any wildlife without a valid licence. (Note: murre (turr) hunters require a migratory game bird permit to hunt that species – only residents of Newfoundland and Labrador may harvest turrs).

It is unlawful for a resident to hunt with a firearm unless you possess an Outdoor Identification Card or jurisdictional equivalent in the case of a non-resident.

Licences

It is unlawful to:

• Make a false statement or supply false information when applying for a licence.
• Complete an application form for a Big Game Licence on behalf of another person without the permission of that person.
• Apply for a licence/pool advancement if you have been prohibited by a court from possessing a firearm.
• Apply for a licence/pool advancement if you have been prohibited by a court from holding a licence.
• Apply for a resident licence with a non-resident.
• Hunt without your licence and/or tags on your person.
• Hunt on a licence belonging to someone else.
• Transfer your licence to another person.
• Hunt on a licence that has been changed, altered or defaced in any manner.

Surrender of Licences – Checks

If requested by a Conservation Officer, you must:

• Produce your licence.
• Produce your Outdoor Identification Card or jurisdictional equivalent in the case of a non-resident.
• Stop at a wildlife check-station and produce licences, tags, firearms, ammunition and wildlife for inspection.

Bag Limit

It is unlawful to exceed the daily and/or seasonal bag limit as stated in the Annual Hunting Orders.

Firearms, Ammunition

It is unlawful to:

• Carry, transport or possess firearms or ammunition during a closed season in any area frequented by wildlife unless you have a permit. A person travelling to a hunting area may, if he/she holds the proper game licence, transport a firearm or ammunition if the firearm is cased or securely wrapped and tied.
• Carry, transport or possess firearms or ammunition during an open season for shooting in any area frequented by wildlife unless you have a valid game licence and/or permit.
• Carry, transport or possess, in any area frequented by wildlife, any pump or autoloading shotgun unless it is plugged or altered so that it cannot carry any more than a total of three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
• Hunt with any fully automatic rifle. Semi-automatic or autoloading rifles may be used.
• Possess in any camp, tent or summer cottage, any firearm during closed season unless you have a permit.
• Carry, transport or possess a loaded firearm in or on, or discharge a firearm from, any aircraft, motor vehicle, snow machine, or all-terrain vehicle. A firearm is considered to be loaded if there is a live shell or cartridge in the chamber or magazine, and the magazine is attached to the firearm in its usual position.
• Discharge a firearm from or across any railway bed, highway, public or private road.
• Use or possess, in any area frequented by wildlife, any ammunition that has been cut, ringed or altered in any way.
• Carry or possess more than one firearm unless each extra firearm is cased or securely wrapped and tied.
• Discharge a firearm within 1,000 meters of a school, playground or athletic field, or within 300 meters of a dwelling.
• Discharge a firearm or hunt on most community pastures during the period May 1 to Nov. 30 inclusive. Check with nearest Resource Enforcement Division  or Wildlife Division office.
• Discharge or handle a firearm while hunting without exercising reasonable care for the safety of other persons.

Hunting Near Wood Cutting Operations

It is illegal to discharge a firearm within 1,000 meters of a commercial wood cutting operation that has been clearly marked by signs stating “No Hunting.”

Bows and Arrows

It is unlawful to hunt any wildlife with:

• A cross bow and arrows.
• An arrow tipped with poison or a drug.
• An arrow equipped with barbed or explosive arrowheads.

Hunting at Night

It is unlawful to hunt any game with night lights of any description.

Sunday Hunting

Sunday hunting is permitted beginning the first Sunday in October and ending the last Sunday in April for all areas of the province that are open to hunting.

Dogs

It is unlawful to take a dog unleashed or to run in any area frequented by wildlife from April 1 to Aug. 31 inclusive.

A Conservation Officer may destroy any dog found to be harassing wildlife.

Wounded Animals

Any person who kills, cripples or wounds any game animal shall make all reasonable efforts to retrieve that animal.

Aircraft and Vehicles

It is unlawful to:

• Chase or harass any wildlife with any aircraft, motor vehicle, boat, snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle of any type.
• Hunt any wildlife with, or possess any loaded firearm on, any aircraft, motor vehicle, snow machine, or all-terrain vehicle of any type. Such vehicles may be used for transportation to and from a hunting area and for transporting any game taken, except where restrictions apply to the use of all-terrain vehicles.
• Use any aircraft to search for or locate any wildlife for hunting on your own behalf, or on behalf of any other person.

Guides

It is unlawful:

• To act as a guide without a valid guide’s licence.
• For a guide, while so employed, to kill or take game.
• For a guide, while so employed, to accept meat in payment or partial payment or services rendered.

Export of Game

If you have a valid hunting licence and an export permit, you may export or take out of the province any game legally taken. Export permits are available free from any Resource Enforcement Division or Wildlife Division office. Federal Department of Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada regulations prohibit the use of used burlap or other used bags. Use new wrapping material only.