Migratory Bird Hunting: Basic Tips for Planning Your Next Hunting Trip

Migratory bird hunting is well regulated in order to allow for the conservation of different species and their habitats. Read these tips to learn more about the regulations and the gear you’ll need to hunt.

Article written in collaboration with FedeCP.

In this article, we’ll cover the following information that will come in handy if you are taking your first steps towards migratory bird hunting.

1. Basic information to know
2. The essential accessories to bring
3. Types of blinds

To gear yourself up, visit our section specific to migratory bird hunting and waterfowl hunting gear.

Shop – Waterfowl Hunting

Migratory bird hunting: Basic information to know

What is the difference between waterfowl hunting and migratory bird hunting?

In fact, it’s the same type of hunt, but with two different names. Migratory birds include snipe birds, woodcocks, mourning doves, and waterfowl (such as ducks and geese).

What license do you need for migratory bird hunting?

To hunt migratory birds, you must have a provincial small game licence as well as a federal migratory bird hunting permit. You must carry both licences when hunting.

The Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit can be purchased online or at Canada Post’s branches.

You can find more information on the provincial small game hunting licence by visiting the Government of Quebec website or the Government of Ontario website.

What migratory birds can you hunt in Quebec and when is the hunting season?

The main species:

• Ducks
• Geese and Snow Geese
• Cackling Geese and Canada Geese
• Woodcocks
• Snipe birds
• Coots
• Gallinules
• Mourning doves

Hunting dates:

• The dates vary by district, but in general, migratory bird hunting takes place during the fall between September and December in Quebec. For snow goose, considered to be an overabundant species, a conservation harvest is also planned during spring. Dates vary by district, but hunting usually takes place between March and June.

For more information, visit the section on migratory bird hunting in Quebec on the Government of Canada website.

What migratory birds can you hunt in Ontario and what is the hunting season?

The main species:

• Ducks
• Rails
• Geese and Snow Geese
• Cackling Geese and Canada Geese
• Woodcocks
• Snipe birds
• Coots
• Gallinules
• Mourning doves

Hunting dates:

• The dates vary by district, but in general, migratory bird hunting also takes place during the fall between September and December in Ontario. For snow goose and Ross’ goose, considered to be overabundant species, a conservation hunt is also planned in the spring between March 1 and May 31.

For more information, visit the section on migratory bird hunting in Ontario on the Government of Canada website.

What are the possession limits?

Information on dates, species, possession limits, districts (hunting zones) are detailed on the Zone de chasse mobile application (for Quebec only, in french only).

You can also visit the Migratory Bird Hunting section on the Government of Canada website. Possession limits differ between Quebec and Ontario.

The musts to bring when hunting migratory birds

• One or more game calls that allow you to mimic the sound of the species you wish to harvest.
• Easy-to-install decoys that will help you attract birds near you and build trust with them.
• A blind or a tree stands that will allow you to remain incognito.
• A warm and waterproof hunting jacket that will allow you to camouflage yourself and spend several hours on the lookout without feeling cold. 
• Hunting pants or waders so that you can roam the fields and walk without difficulty.

Types of blinds for migratory bird hunting or waterfowl hunting

There are three types of blinds to effectively hunt migratory birds. Adapt your installation according to the zone where you are going to hunt, because geese have very good eyesight.

1. A-Frame type: a bunker-shaped blind to set up on the outskirts of a field or ditch
2. Bed-type: a seat-shaped blind to be used to hunt snow geese and hide the hunter at ground level at the height of the decoys.
3. Laydown-type: A blind to be used when the vegetation of the field is low or on the edge of a grass border.