ame, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 New Brunswick hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species: Whitetail deer, Moose, Ducks and more. New Brunswick’s mixed Acadian forests, river valleys and coastal marshes support thriving whitetail deer herds, healthy moose populations and abundant migratory waterfowl staging areas. From the Miramichi Highlands to the Bay of Fundy shorelines, hunters pursue archery and rifle deer seasons, limited moose tag draws and spring/fall duck hunts—guided by clear provincial regulations across 14 Wildlife Management Zones (WMZs). Enjoy precise season dates, bag limits and zone‑specific requirements to plan an ethical, compliant hunt in New Brunswick for 2025–26. What Is There to Hunt in New Brunswick? Big Game: Whitetail deer, moose, black bear Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare, wild turkey Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, mourning dove (federal permit required) Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, beaver, muskrat New Brunswick’s variety of forests and wetlands delivers year‑round opportunity—from spring bear and turkey to late‑fall waterfowl. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in New Brunswick? Unprotected predators (coyote, fox) may be taken any time on private land with landowner permission. Public‑land predator control outside open seasons requires a Fur Hunting Licence and must follow WMZ restrictions. New Brunswick Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Sep 1 – Oct 15 Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 12 – Dec 7 Tags: One tag per licence; antler restrictions apply in WMZ 3–7 (spike‑only in early rifle period) Moose Archery: Sep 15 – Oct 31 Rifle: Oct 10 – Oct 31 Tags: Draw only; allocated by WMZ; applications open July 15 – 31, 2025 Black Bear Spring: Apr 1 – Jun 15 Fall: Sep 1 – Oct 31 Tags: One per hunter; cub harvest prohibited; no hounds in WMZ 1–4 Note: Detailed WMZ calendars, quotas and weapon‑type restrictions are published annually online. New Brunswick Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Birds & Small Game: Ruffed/Spruce Grouse: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 5) Snowshoe Hare: Sep 1 – Mar 31 (daily limit 3) Wild Turkey: Apr 1 – May 15; Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 1; spring draw) Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks & Geese: Sep 1 – Dec 31; Jan 1 – Jan 15 (daily limit 5 ducks; 5 geese) Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 15) Requirements: Federal Migratory Game Bird Permit & Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 per season Moose: 1 per draw tag Black Bear: 1 per season (no cubs) Wild Turkey: 1 per licence period Grouse (all spp.): 5 daily; possession 10 Snowshoe Hare: 3 daily; possession 6 Ducks/Geese: 5 daily; possession 15 Mourning Dove: 15 daily; possession 45 Coyote/Fox: no limit private; Fur Hunting Licence required public License & Tags Information for New Brunswick Hunters (2025–26) Resident Licence: $34 (annual); includes one deer tag; additional tags $12/species Non‑Resident Licence: $160 (annual); tags $45/species; moose draw fee $20 Additional Permits: Fur Hunting Licence (free; required) Spring Turkey draw (applications Mar 1 – 15, 2025) Hunter Education: Mandatory New Brunswick Hunter Education Certificate or equivalent. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Bow: Compound, recurve, longbow; crossbows allowed only with special permit; broadhead cut ≥ 7/8″. Rifle: Centrefire ≥ .24 cal; shotguns with slugs permitted; straight‑wall handguns prohibited. Muzzleloader: .40 cal+ patched ball or conical bullet; approved ignition systems only; single‑projectile conversions. Regulations & Resources Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset WMZ Maps & Calendars: Available from New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours via online portal or phone Special Areas: Certain wildlife management and protected areas require additional access permits Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and licence requirements on the official New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/erd/natural_resources/content/hunting.html Equipped with exact season windows, zone‑specific bag limits and complete licence details, you’re ready to plan your 2025–26 New Brunswick hunt. Prepare thoroughly and enjoy the province’s rich hunting heritage.