Regulation Summaries

Regulation Summary

This section contains a summary of regulations you must know when hunting in Newfoundland and Labrador. This summary is neither a legal document nor a complete collection of current hunting regulations or firearm laws. It is an abbreviated guide issued for the convenience of hunters. The Wild Life Act and Regulations, www.assembly.nl.ca/legislation/sr/consolidation/ should be consulted for interpreting and applying the law. Contact a Fisheries and Land Resources Office if you have any questions.

Definitions

  • “Hunting” means chasing, pursuing, worrying, following after or on the trail of or searching for, or lying in wait for wildlife whether or not the wildlife is then or later captured, injured or killed. “Hunt” and “hunter” have corresponding meanings.
  • “Open Season” means any period during which it is lawful to hunt, take, or kill, or attempt to hunt, take, or kill wildlife under the provision of the Wild Life Act and Regulations.
  • “Closed Season” means any period during which hunting, taking, or killing of wildlife is prohibited.
  • “Firearm” means a device by which a missile is discharged by means of an explosive propellant or by compressed air or by a spring and includes sporting guns of all calibres, automatic or autoloading guns, repeating guns, pump guns, set guns, swivel guns, punt guns, rifles, pistols and revolvers of every description, crossbows, longbows and compound bows.

General

It is unlawful:

  • to hunt, take or kill any wildlife except during open seasons;
  • to hunt, take, or kill any wildlife without a valid licence;
  • 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;
  • to make a false statement or supply false information when applying for a licence;
  • to complete an application form for a big game licence on behalf of another person, without the permission of that person;
  • to apply for a licence/pool advancement if you have been prohibited, by a court, from possessing a firearm;
  • to apply for a licence/pool advancement if you have been prohibited, by a court, from holding a licence;
  • for a resident to apply for a licence with a non-resident;
  • to hunt without your licence and/or tags on your person;
  • to hunt on a licence belonging to someone else (unless designated either by a disabled hunter authorized through the Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability or under a NFP licence to do so);
  • to transfer your licence to another person; and
  • to hunt on a licence which has been changed, altered or defaced in any manner.

Licence Returns

  • Big game returns must be submitted within seven days of the season closing date or within seven days of the date of kill.
  • Small game, coyote and trapping returns must be submitted within seven days of the season closing date.

Production of Licences – Checkstations

  • If requested by a conservation officer, a person shall not refuse or neglect to produce or permit the examination of game licences and tags, permissions, consents and other documentation required to be carried under these regulations, or firearms and ammunition and wildlife.

Bag Limit

Firearms, Ammunition

It is unlawful:

  • to discharge or handle a firearm while hunting without exercising reasonable care for the safety of other persons;
  • to carry, transport or possess firearms or ammunition during a closed season in any area frequented by wildlife, unless you have a permit to transport (these are available from Department of Fisheries and Land Resources offices). 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;
  • to 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;
  • to 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 more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined;
  • to hunt with any fully automatic rifle (semi-automatic or autoloading rifles may be used);
  • to possess in any camp, tent or summer cottage, any firearm during closed season, unless you have a permit;
  • to 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;
  • to use or possess, in any area frequented by wildlife, any ammunition that has been cut, ringed or altered in any way;
  • for a licenced hunter to carry or possess more than one firearm unless each extra firearm is cased or securely wrapped and tied;
  • to discharge a firearm within 1000 meters of a school, playground or athletic field or within 300 meters of a dwelling;
  • to discharge a firearm or hunt on most community pastures during the period May 1 to November 30 inclusive (for information on pasture locations http://www.assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/Regulations/rc980056.htm or contact your nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office; and
  • to discharge a firearm within 1000 meters of a commercial woodcutting operation that has been clearly marked by signs stating“No Hunting”.

Bows and Arrows

It is unlawful:

  • to hunt any wildlife with a crossbow and arrows;
  • to hunt any wildlife with an arrow tipped with poison or a drug; and
  • to hunt any wildlife with an arrow equipped with barbed or explosive arrowheads.

Hunting at Night: It is unlawful to hunt any game with night lights of any description.

Dogs: It is unlawful to take a dog unleashed or to allow a dog to run in any area frequented by wildlife from April 1 to August 31 inclusive, except in designated field trial/dog training areas and during designated times. A conservation officer may destroy any dog found to be harassing wildlife. For information on field trial/dog training areas, contact your nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office or visit http://www.flr.gov.nl.ca/wildlife/dog_training_areas/index.html

Wounded Animals

  • Any person who kills, cripples or wounds any game animal shall make all reasonable efforts to retrieve that animal.
  • Notwithstanding the requirement under these regulations to hold a valid licence in order to hunt, take or kill wildlife with a firearm, a designated adult may shoot an animal that has been injured by youth hunting under a valid licence for the purpose of assisting the youth. The designated adult shall keep the youth in sight at all times, except when it is necessary to pursue the injured animal.

Aircraft (including drones) and Vehicles

It is unlawful:

  • to chase or harass any wildlife with any aircraft, motor vehicle, boat, snow machine or all-terrain vehicle of any type;
  • to 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; and
  • to 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 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 for services rendered;
  • to hunt/shoot wildlife or to angle while acting as a guide, except to demonstrate casting and hooking of fish.

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 Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Regulations prohibit the use of used burlap or other used bags. Use new wrapping material only.

PROHIBITION OF WASTE

It is an offence to allow harvested wild game that is suitable for food to be destroyed, wasted or spoiled.

Hunting from Roads

It is unlawful:

  • under the Highway Traffic Act to operate a vehicle in a manner that impedes the normal movement of traffic to discharge a firearm from a vehicle; and
  • to discharge a firearm from or across any railway bed, highway, public or private road.

Wilderness Reserve Entry Permits

  • It is unlawful to enter the Avalon Wilderness Reserve or the Bay du Nord Wilderness Reserve without an entry permit. A person who holds a valid big game licence for a moose, caribou or black bear management area that is inside a Wilderness Reserve does not require a Wilderness Reserve Entry Permit. For more information on Wilderness Reserve Entry Permits, contact the Natural Areas Program at 709.637.2081 or visit http://www.flr.gov.nl.ca/natural_areas/

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

It is unlawful for a person to use or operate an ATV vehicle outside an approved area, except:

  • A person who holds a valid big game licence and, as permitted by the licence, has killed a moose, caribou or bear may use or operate an ATV outside an approved area for the purpose of transporting the animal from the place where it was killed. This does not apply to wilderness, ecological or wildlife reserves or National Parks. Hunters are asked to be conscious of this if applying for a licence in management areas which include these areas.
  • A person other than the licence holder may use or operate an ATV for the purpose of transporting an animal from the place where it was killed, but the licence holder shall remain in the immediate area.
  • A moose or caribou shall be properly tagged as required before an ATV is to be used or operated.
  • A person shall not use or operate an ATV more than five times to and from the place where the animal was killed. When traveling from the place where the animal was killed, a portion of the animal shall be on the ATV or on a trailer being towed by the ATV.
  • Where more than one ATV is used or operated in relation to the transporting of a single animal the total number of trips for all the ATVs shall not exceed five.
  • A person shall not carry, transport or have in his or her possession a firearm while using or operating an ATV for the purposes noted above.
  • For more information, please visit http://www.faa.gov.nl.ca/forestry/recreation/atv.html

Small Game

Age Requirements

  • Youth less than 16 years of age may obtain a youth snaring licence to take small game by snaring only.
  • Individuals must be 12 years of age or older and have completed the Canadian Firearms Safety/Hunter Education Course or similar training recognized by the Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources in order to hunt with a firearm or bow.
  • Further conditions apply to Youth Hunting and Trapping Licences.

Firearms, Ammunition

It is unlawful:

  • to hunt small game using a shotgun that can hold more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, or to use a shotgun shell loaded with a single bullet. Small game (excluding ducks, geese and snipe) may be harvested using a .22 rim-fire rifle.

Bow and Arrows

It is unlawful:

  • to hunt small game with a long bow, recurve bow or compound bow unless it has at least 10 kilograms (22 lbs.) pull at full draw; and
  • to hunt small game with a long bow, recurve bow or compound bow unless the arrow is tipped with a blunt small game tip designed to kill by shock. Practise or field tips are not permitted.

Snares

It is unlawful:

  • to set snares for small game until the first day of the open season. Snares must be removed on or before the last day of the open season;
  • for any person to set snares to take or kill wild birds, except the holder of a small game licence for ptarmigan and grouse for an area open to this activity;
  • to use a net of any kind to take or kill any small game;to use a fish hook or snare equipped with a fish hook to take or kill any small game; and on the Island; and
  • to set snares for small game using snare wire other than 22 gauge brass or six-strand braided wire (also known as picture cord).

Dogs

  • It is unlawful, while hunting small game with a dog, to allow the dog to harass any big game animal.

Sale of Small Game

  • Snowshoe hare and grouse legally taken under licence may be sold to anyone during the open season and within seven days thereafter.
  • Ptarmigan may only be sold if you have a selling permit and the buyer has a Wild Meat Service Licence. Selling permits are available free from the Wildlife Division. Please contact 709.637.2025 for more information.

Big Game

  • Age Requirements: To apply for a big game licence you must be 16 years of age or older by August 31 in the year that the licence is valid. For more information see Youth Hunting and Trapping Licences.
  • Licence Limit: A person who holds a big game licence issued through the draw process may hold only one big game licence to shoot a moose or one big game licence to shoot a caribou in a 12-month period ending April 30.

Co-applicant Licence

  • Each member of a co-applicant licence is considered to be the holder of that licence.
  • Members of the co-applicant licence may carry firearms and hunt, provided they are in the immediate area of and within sight of each other while they are hunting.
  • As a member of a co-applicant licence, you may hunt alone provided you possess the licence and tags.
  • Only the persons named on a co-applicant licence are eligible to hunt with that licence.

Firearms, Ammunition

It is unlawful:

  • unless you hold a valid big game license, to possess firearms and ammunition suitable for hunting big game;
  • to hunt big game (moose, caribou or black bear) with any rifle smaller than a .243 caliber or .22 calibre rifle or any rifle (including muzzle loaders) using ammunition with a bullet weight of less than 100 grains or a muzzle energy less than 1500 foot pounds. For this regulation .22 calibre includes .218, .219, .220, .222, .22-250, .223, .224 and .225 calibre rifles;
  • to hunt big game with a slug with any shotgun smaller than 20 gauge;
  • to hunt big game with or carry in any area frequented by wildlife, full metal cased non-expanding bullets commonly known as service ammunition; and
  • to hunt big game with a firearm using any ammunition other than a single bullet or ball.

Bow and Arrows

It is unlawful:

  • to hunt big game with a long bow, recurve bow or compound bow and arrow unless the bow has at least 20 kilograms (44 lbs.) pull at full draw; and
  • to hunt big game unless the hunting arrows are tipped with a metal hunting head with two or more sharpened cutting edges.

Hunting Hours

  • It is unlawful to hunt big game earlier than one-half hour before sunrise or later than one-half hour after sunset on any day (firearms must be cased or securely wrapped and tied outside of legal hunting hours).

Snares

  • It is unlawful to use traps, pitfalls or snares of any description to hunt big game (licensed black bear hunters may snare black bears using Aldrich foot snares or similar devices designed to capture and hold bears by the foot and must be set in a covered “cubby set”. The set must be clearly marked with a warning sign indicating that a bear snaring device is set in the “cubby”).

Dogs

  • It is unlawful to use a dog for hunting (tracking, following or pursuing) big game.

Swimming Animals

  • It is unlawful to hunt or molest any big game animal while it is swimming.

Proof of Sex or Age

  • The holder(s) of a male-only licence must leave the scrotum of the animal attached to one hind quarter as proof of sex. Note: the testicles and penis may be removed, if desired, but the scrotum must remain attached to the carcass until the animal is transported to the hunter’s home. If a calf is harvested on a male-only or calf or female-only or calf licence, hunters must retain the jawbone of their kill as proof of age. The holder(s) of a female-only licence must retain the head of their kill as proof of sex.

Use of Tags – Transport of Big Game

  • The tags issued with a big game licence must be attached and locked on the animal before it is removed from the place of kill, defined as, the area included in a 10-meter (33 ft.) radius from where the animal is dispatched by the hunter.
  • It is unlawful to possess or transport big game unless the tags are attached and locked to the quarters between the tendon and the leg bone.In rare cases a tag may be faulty, and fail to lock. If this occurs, contact the nearest wildlife officer immediately.
  • It is an offence to transport meat with an unlocked tag, a replacement tag will be issued and must be affixed before the meat is moved from the actual site of the kill.
  • Big game tags that have been damaged, lost or stolen must immediately be reported to a wildlife officer. It is an offence to transport or move a big game animal from the place of kill unless the tag has been properly affixed to the animal. Replacement tags may be acquired by contacting your nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources or Wildlife Division office.
  • A big game animal must be removed from the place of kill on or before the closing date of the season. If you cannot remove the animal by that date, you must get a permit to transport game in closed season from your nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office.
  • You must fill in and forward your licence return to the Wildlife Division within seven days of the date of kill or within seven days after the close of the season if no kill is made. If you do not take an animal, you must also return the unused tags issued with the licence.

Gifts of Game

  • If you wish to give game meat to friends or family, you must provide a signed note indicating the licence number, quantity of game meat, date and the names of the people involved. The individual receiving the game meat must possess the note until the meat is used or consumed.

Possession or Sale of Big Game

  • You may possess big game meat only if you hold a valid licence or if you have been freely given the meat by a valid licence holder. If you are not the licence holder, you must get written proof that you acquired the meat from a licence holder and you must show this proof if requested by a wildlife officer. You can only sell big game meat if you have a valid selling permit (available free from the Wildlife Division) and the buyer has a valid Wild Meat Service Licence. Permits may only be acquired during the open season or within seven days after the season closes.

Cold Storage

  • A person may not accept or store any untagged big game or big game parts in a commercial, company or private cold storage, bait depot or other freezer unless the person requesting storage provides a signed document containing the licence number the game was harvested under, date of harvest, names of those involved and the quantity of game being stored.

Coyotes and Wolves

Coyote Shooting Licence

The coyote shooting licence is combined with the small game licence. During the open shooting season for coyotes, hunters may use centre-fire rifle calibres up to and including a.225 (e.g. 17 Rem., .22 Hornet, .204 Ruger, .218 Bee, .222 and .223 Rem., .223 WSSM, .22-250 Rem., .220 Swift, .224 Weatherby Mag. and .225 Win.) or shotguns using shot size (#2 or larger). There are no bag limits for coyotes.

Rim-fire rifles (.22 S&L, .22 LR or 22 Magnum) used for small game hunting may be used to shoot coyotes during the period that small game seasons are open.

Additional Opportunities to Harvest Coyotes

Holders of a valid big game licence (moose, caribou or black bear) may harvest coyotes during the open season for those species and in the management area for which their licence is valid (licences become invalid when tags have been filled). Hunters must use firearms and ammunition that the big game licence authorizes them to possess.

Licenced trappers may possess and use small calibre, centre-fire rifles up to a .225 to harvest coyotes during the coyote trapping season.

Wolf Shooting Licence (Province-Wide)

The wolf shooting licence is combined with the small game and coyote shooting licence. A person who holds a Small Game/Wolf/Coyote Shooting Licence may take one wolf by shooting during open season October 15 to March 31. A person shall only shoot a wolf under this licence using a centre-fire rifle not greater than .225 calibre; or a shotgun using shot size 2 or larger.

Hunters are asked to not shoot wolves that have been marked with radio collars and/or ear tags.

The lower jawbone or complete skull of all harvested wolves must be submitted to a Department of Fisheries and Land Resources or Wildlife Division office by May 8, 2020.

Wolf and Coyote-Wolf Hybrid Carcass Collection Program

The occurrence of the gray wolf (from Labrador) and wolf-coyote hybrid has been documented by Department of Fisheries and Land Resources on the Island of Newfoundland. To assist with further monitoring of the occurrence and distribution of coyotes, wolves or wolf-coyote hybrids within the province (including Labrador), hunters and trappers are being asked to submit the entire canid carcass to the nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources or Wildlife Division office. A $25 fee will be paid to each hunter or trapper for submitting carcasses. Each carcass will be tagged with a unique registration number that is used to identify where and when the animal was harvested and to assist the Department with further genetic analysis work. Harvesters will be required to provide their full name and address for payment and administrative purposes. For more information please contact your nearest Department of Fisheries and Land Resources office.


Migratory Game Birds

The following is a summary of the Migratory Birds Regulations as they apply in Newfoundland and Labrador. Migratory game birds (ducks, geese, snipe) and murres are managed by the federal government under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. For complete information on the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Migratory Birds Regulations, contact the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) or visit www.ec.gc.ca/rcom-mbhr

Licence Requirements

To hunt migratory game birds and murres you must possess a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit.

Age Requirements

To hunt migratory game birds in Newfoundland and Labrador, you must be 12 years of age or older. Please refer to Youth Hunting and Trapping Licence for more information.

Firearms, Ammunition

It is unlawful:

  • to hunt migratory game birds using a shotgun that can hold more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined;
  • to hunt migratory game birds with a rifle or shotgun shell loaded with a single bullet;
  • to hunt migratory game birds with any shotgun larger than a 10 gauge;
  • while hunting migratory game birds, to possess more than one shotgun unless each shotgun in excess of one is unloaded and cased or securely wrapped and tied; and
  • to hunt migratory game birds using any shot other than non-toxic shot (except murres).

Aircraft, Vehicles, Boats

It is unlawful:

  • to shoot migratory game birds from any aircraft, sailboat, power boat, aircraft or motorized vehicle, or any vehicle to which a draught animal is attached; and
  • to use a boat, aircraft or motor vehicle to disturb migratory game birds in order to drive them toward a hunter. It is permitted to retrieve dead or injured birds by the use of a power boat.

Decoys: It is unlawful to use live birds as decoys or to use recorded bird calls when hunting migratory game birds.

Bag Limits: Information concerning seasons and bag limits is available at the time of purchase of your Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit at a Canada Post Outlet or by visiting www.ec.gc.ca/rcom-mbhr/

Wounded Birds: It is unlawful to kill, cripple or wound a migratory game bird without immediately making all reasonable efforts to retrieve it.

HUNTING HOURS

It is unlawful to hunt migratory game birds earlier than one-half hour before sunrise or later than one-half hour after sunset on any day.

Bait Restrictions

It is unlawful in this province:

  • to deposit bait in any place during the period beginning 14 days before the first day of the open season and ending on the day immediately following the last day of the open season; and
  • to hunt migratory game birds within 400 meters of any place where bait has been deposited unless the place has been free of bait for at least seven days.

Possession and Transport

It is unlawful:

  • to possess or transport a migratory game bird unless at least one wing with its feathers remains attached to the bird. The wing and feathers may be removed when the bird is prepared for immediate cooking or after the bird is stored at the owner’s residence;
  • to ship or transport a package containing migratory birds unless the package or container is clearly marked with the name and address of the shipper, the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit number under which the birds were taken, and the exact contents of the package;
  • to possess a carcass of a migratory game bird belonging to or taken by another person unless the carcass has attached to it a tag or note that is signed by the holder of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit under which the bird was taken that indicates the name and address of the permit holder, the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit number and the date the bird was taken; and
  • to possess any shot other than non-toxic shot for the purpose of hunting migratory game birds (this does not apply to murre hunting).

Egg and Nests: It is unlawful to take, injure or destroy the eggs or nests of migratory birds at any time.

Sale of Migratory Game Birds: It is unlawful to buy or sell any migratory game bird. This includes the buying or selling of murres.

Provincial Regulations: While hunting migratory game birds, you must also abide by all provincial hunting regulations.

Waterfowler Heritage Days (WHD)

Waterfowler Heritage Days provide young hunters who are minors (individuals under 18 years of age) with the opportunity to practice hunting skills, learn about wildlife conservation, and reinforce safety training in a structured, supervised environment. Licensed adult hunters who serve as mentors have the opportunity to pass on their skills and knowledge by offering guidance and advice to younger hunters. The following rules apply:

  • To participate, young hunters who are minors do not require the federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit;
  • Young participants must comply with all existing safety and licensing requirements found in the Firearms Act and provincial hunting regulations;
  • Participants must be accompanied by a mentor who is not a minor and who has a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit;
  • Mentors may not hunt or carry a firearm. In Ontario a mentor may accompany no more than one young hunter. In all of the other provinces a mentor may accompany no more than two young hunters; and
  • Waterfowler Heritage Days apply in all provinces of Canada. There are no waterfowl heritage days in any of the Canadian Territories.
  • Only young hunters may hunt when Waterfowler Heritage Days fall outside of the regular open seasons.

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