Small Game Hunting Made Easy: Tips and Gear to Get You Started

Fall in Quebec and Ontario means one thing for a lot of hunters: small game season. It’s the perfect way to get into the woods, learn to read the land and bring home your first harvest. Maybe you’re picturing yourself hunting ruffed grouse, searching for hares along forest trails, or waiting for waterfowl at the water’s edge. Whatever draws you out there, a little preparation goes a long way toward a good day in the field.

So where do you even start? From the permit you need to the season’s opening dates or what to look for in your first shotgun, there’s a lot to consider, and no time for second-guessing.

SAIL created this guide to help you plan safe, successful outings. Here, you will find expert tips on rules and regulations, camouflage, and the best firearms for the job. Bonus: you will even find a checklist of the essentials you need to pack. Need more info? We will also point you to the articles that dig deeper into whatever topic you’re keen to learn more about.

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Getting started with small game hunting in Quebec and Ontario

For newcomers to the sport, it’s a great lesson in patience. But before you head out, you’ll need to get familiar with the regulations and know exactly what you’re aiming at. In Quebec and Ontario, small game hunters mainly target these three species:

• Ruffed grouse: known for its dark ruff and fan-shaped tail, it favours hardwood forests and young growth.
• Spruce grouse: darker and less skittish than the ruffed grouse, it prefers dense conifer forests.
• Snowshoe hare: a master of camouflage. Its coat turns from brown in summer to pure white in winter to blend into the snow.

Licences, zones and dates: when does small game season open?

Before you can hit the field, you will need a hunter certification. That’s what allows you to buy your small game hunting licence.

In Quebec, that means completing the Introduction to Hunting course (either with a firearm or with bows and crossbows) and getting your hunter’s certificate before you can pick up a licence issued by the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP).

In Ontario, you will need to complete the Ontario Hunter Education Program, plus the Canadian Firearms Safety Course if you’re hunting with a firearm, then get your Outdoors Card before you can buy your small game licence.

Every beginner asks the same question: when does small game hunting season actually start?

Generally, the season runs from mid-September to mid-January (though hare season often stretches into March) in both Quebec and Ontario. That said, exact dates and daily limits vary a lot depending on your specific area, whether that’s a hunting zone in Quebec or a wildlife management unit in Ontario. Always check the official regulations from the relevant authority (MELCCFP in Quebec, Ministry of Natural Resources in Ontario) before heading out.

Need help getting started? Check out Born To Hunt’s intro video for field-tested tips to help you plan your very first outing in the woods.

Where to hunt: Sépaq, a go-to option in Quebec

Finding a place to hunt on your own can be tricky if you don’t have access to private land. That’s where Sépaq’s network comes in. Quebec’s wildlife reserves offer vast public territories that make it easy to get started.

Reserves like Portneuf, Mastigouche and Laurentides are known for their dense populations of ruffed grouse and snowshoe hare. You can hunt for the day or rent a cabin specially equipped for hunting trips.

To learn more: discover our three must-visit Sépaq destinations for small game hunting.

Dressing for the hunt: comfort and camouflage

Small game hunting is a dynamic activity. You will alternate between long walks through dense forest and still periods spent waiting in a blind. Since fall in Quebec and Ontario often brings unpredictable weather, choosing the right hunting gear is key to staying warm and dry all day long. 

Layering: the key to adapting to any terrain

To avoid shivering at dawn or overheating once you’re on the move, layering is a must. Here’s how to get it right:

• The base layer (breathable): a technical merino wool or synthetic fibre garment that wicks moisture away from your skin.
• The mid layer (insulating): a fleece jacket, insulated coat, or light wool sweater that traps body heat while still breathing.
• The outer layer (protective): a shell or transition jacket that blocks wind and light rain while standing up to branches and rough terrain.

Pro tip: to see the layering system in action, check out FédéCP’s video on hunting clothing.
Video in French with English subtitles.

Want to go further? Check out our tips for picking the best hunting clothing. 

Mastering camouflage and safety in the woods

Camouflage for grouse or hare hunting doesn’t follow the same rules as camouflage for migratory bird hunting. In dense forest, small game has sharp eyesight, but full camo isn’t always the best approach.

In Quebec, a fluorescent orange bib is mandatory for hunting most small game species, to keep you visible to other hunters. The trick is pairing that safety bib with forest-pattern camouflage on your sleeves and pants to break up your human silhouette in the eyes of your game.

Ontario‘s rules are different: orange is not mandatory for small game hunting (grouse, hare, etc.), unless your outing falls during gun season for deer, moose or elk. In that case, you’re required to wear hunter orange clothing and a hunter orange head covering. These have to be solid-coloured, not feature any camouflage patterns or open mesh. So for small game hunting specifically, you can go with full forest camouflage, as long as you confirm the rules for your Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) before heading out.

Camouflage tips: watch Born To Hunt’s video to learn how to outsmart your quarry.

Picking the right hunting boots

Comfortable feet matter more than you’d think out in the woods. The wrong pair of boots can wreck your outing within a few kilometres. To make the right choice, make sure you consider these three key factors:

• Waterproofing: look for waterproof-breathable membranes (like Gore-Tex) or waterproof rubber boots so you can cross marshes and morning dew without ending up with wet, soggy socks.
• Insulation: for early season hunts in September, a lightweight boot is enough. Once the ground starts freezing in November, opt for a model with 400 to 800 grams of Thinsulate insulation.
• Soles: you will need solid traction to keep you from slipping on wet leaves, rocks or mud.

Want to go further? Read our expert guide on choosing the right hunting boots.

Small game hunting: shotgun, rifle or crossbow?

Your choice of hunting weapon comes down to the type of game you’re after and your personal style. Across Quebec and Ontario’s forests and hunting grounds, you’ve got three main options: the shotgun, the rifle and the crossbow.

Shotgun or rifle: what gauge or calibre for grouse and hare?

The distinction between these two firearms is an important one:

• Shotgun: ideal for moving targets (like a ruffed grouse flushing at your feet), it fires a spray of small lead or steel pellets, which boosts your odds of hitting your mark.
  • • What gauge for grouse? While the powerful 12-gauge is versatile, 20-gauge or .410 shotguns are much more popular for small game. They’re lighter to carry through the woods, better suited to smaller species, and help preserve more of the meat.
• Rifle: perfect for precision shots on a stationary target (like a hare or a perched grouse), it fires a single bullet.
  • • What calibre for small game? The classic choice for beginners is the .22 LR (Long Rifle). Ammo is affordable, and rifles in this calibre are quiet with almost no recoil, both qualities beginners tend to appreciate.

Ready to make your choice? 

• Check out our guide to choosing the right shotgun model for the species you’re after.
• Discover the basics you’ll need to master before buying your hunting rifle.

All about the thrills: the hunting crossbow

If you prefer an immersive, stealthy approach, crossbow hunting is the way to go. That said, it does require getting closer to your prey, since its range is shorter than a firearm’s.

For small game, you’ll want bolts fitted with points made just for this kind of hunting. These typically have a wide, rounded head with small hooks or a snagging surface. This particular design keeps the bolt from burying itself and getting lost under leaves or forest litter after a shot, while also limiting damage to the meat.

Technical tips: to learn everything about this hunting weapon’s specifics and how to handle it in the field, watch our introductory video on crossbow hunting.

Field gear and forest safety

Once you’re geared up and your hunting weapon is chosen, it’s time to pack for the trip. While big game often requires heavy, fixed setups, small game hunting is all about staying light and mobile (what’s known as still hunting). Your hunting backpack becomes your portable base camp.​‌

The perfect hunting backpack checklist

On a typical day tracking grouse or hare through the woods, your pack needs to strike the right balance between staying light and carrying everything you need to stay safe and handle your harvest. Here’s the essential gear to add to your kit before heading out:

• For the game: a sharp hunting knife, disposable nitrile gloves and plastic carrying bags (or a canvas game bag) to protect the meat until you’re back.
• For your safety: a compact first aid kit, a headlamp (with spare batteries for late returns at dusk) and an emergency whistle.
• For your comfort: high energy snacks, an insulated water bottle and a small length of nylon cord (always useful in the woods).

Want to get organized before you head out? Check out our complete checklist of essential gear for building your hunting pack.

GPS: an essential tool for safe hunting

When you’re searching for small game through young growth, dense birch stands or the rugged, wild terrain of Quebec and Ontario, it’s easy to lose your bearings and get turned around.

A hunting GPS (or a dedicated offline mapping app) isn’t a luxury: it’s essential safety gear. This tool allows you to:

• mark your starting point: save the location of your vehicle or camp before you take your first step into the woods.
• spot promising hunting areas: study the terrain, find hidden waterways, and identify the types of forest stands preferred by grouse.
• track your route in real time: retrace your own steps, even if fog or nightfall sets in.

Want to go further? Discover why GPS has become an essential tool for hunting today.

In focus: waterfowl and migratory bird hunting

Migratory bird hunting, including waterfowl like Canada geese, snow geese and various duck species, technically falls under small game hunting, but it’s really a discipline all its own. Where forest hunting means staying on the move to flush or spot game, migratory bird hunting is the opposite: you set up, stay still and wait, usually out in farm fields, marshes or along the water’s edge.

Planning your first blind hunt

Migratory bird hunting takes careful preparation. Success comes down to scouting flight paths and feeding areas the day before, then setting out a spread of decoys that closely mimic the appearance of your target species to lure incoming flocks within shooting range.

Want to go further? Check out our basic tips for planning your next migratory bird hunt.

How to dress for hunting in water and mud

Since waterfowl hunting often takes place in wet, marshy conditions on brutally cold October or November mornings, your gear needs to check some strict boxes:

• Total waterproofing: waders (whether neoprene or breathable fabric) are a must, letting you set up your decoys in the water without getting soaked.
• Flawless camouflage: unlike grouse, which tolerate fluorescent orange clothing just fine, migratory birds have sharp eyes and exceptional colour vision. In fact, wearing an orange bib or orange clothing isn’t required for this type of hunting. Your jacket and gear need to blend perfectly into the surrounding vegetation.

Ready to head out? Check out our best tips for dressing right for migratory bird hunting.

What type of blind should you choose to outsmart waterfowl?

To stay completely out of sight from birds flying over your area, hiding in a blind is a must. Depending on your terrain (dry fields, wood edges or bodies of water), you’ve got three main blind types to choose from:

• Layout blind: best suited to lower vegetation, like a cornfield or the grassy edge of a field. It sits extremely low to the ground, letting you lie flat right among your decoys. There are several models, some with an especially low profile. Once birds get close, you simply flip open the spring-loaded doors, sit up and shoot.
• A-frame blind (shaped like a bunker): a vertical blind ideal for ditch banks or field edges. It lets several hunters stand or sit comfortably, sheltered from the wind, while staying hidden behind branches, brush or natural vegetation.
• Layout chair (or bed–type blind): more compact and streamlined, this is a camouflaged, reclined seat that sits right at ground level among your decoys. It’s especially popular with snow goose hunters. Since you’re positioned right in the middle of your decoy spread, birds head straight for you, giving you an outstanding view as they come in.

Comparison in action: to see these setups in the field and learn how to camouflage them with local vegetation, watch our video on the three types of waterfowl blinds.
Video in French with English subtitles.

In short: what gear for what game?