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Hunting Seasons in Quebec, Canada 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 Quebec hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to waterfowl.
Introduction
Quebec’s vast boreal forests, Laurentian mountains and St. Lawrence lowlands host premier deer seasons, moose hunts, black bear excursions and waterfowl wingshooting. With over 80 wildlife management zones (ZECs, outfitter territories, public lands), Quebec’s “Guide de chasse” (valid Apr 1 2024 – Mar 31 2026) offers detailed provincial regulations, season windows and gear rules to plan an ethical, compliant 2025–26 hunt
What Is There to Hunt in Quebec?
Big Game: Whitetail deer, moose, black bear, caribou (select zones)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare, wild turkey
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, dove (federal permit required)
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, wolf, fox, beaver, muskrat
Quebec’s mosaic of habitats ensures year‑round opportunity—from spring turkey to late‑fall duck season.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Quebec?
Unprotected species such as coyote and fox may be taken any time on private land with landowner consent; public‑land hunts require a small‑game or predator tag and must comply with zone‑specific restrictions. Always verify zone‑by‑zone regulations online before off‑season predator control.
Quebec Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery: Oct 1 – Nov 15
Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 12 – Nov 30
Licence: One adult tag per zone; antler‑point restrictions apply
Moose
Archery: Sep 15 – Oct 31
Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 1 – Oct 31
Licence: Draw for most zones; cow hunts prohibited in Zone 26 quebec.ca
Black Bear
Spring: Apr 1 – Jun 15
Fall: Sep 1 – Oct 31
Licence: One bear tag per hunter; cub harvest prohibited
Caribou (Woodland)
Rifle: Oct 1 – Oct 15 (Zones 14, 15, 17 only)
Licence: Strict LE draw; limited quota
Note: Detailed zone‑by‑zone calendars (weapon type, sex, maturity) are published biennially; check “Périodes de chasse” for updates
Quebec 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 (daily limit 5 ducks; 5 geese)
Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 15)
Requirements: Federal Migratory Game Bird Permit & Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered or antlerless per zone
Moose: 1 per season (where drawn)
Black Bear: 1 per season
Caribou: 1 per draw tag
Wild Turkey: 1 per licence period
Grouse: 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 on private land; zone regulations apply
License & Tags Information for Quebec Hunters (2025–26)
Residence (Québec) Licence: $62.71; individual big‑game tag $23.24/species
Non‑Resident Licence: $145.71; tags $65.24/species; draw fee $9.08
Additional Permits:
Federal Migratory Bird Permit & conservation stamp (free; mandatory)
Draw application (big game, caribou) May 30 – Jun 16, 2025 Союз агропроизводителей
Hunter Education: Certificate from Quebec Hunter Education Program or equivalent mandatory
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Bow: Compound, recurve, longbow; crossbows allowed by special permit only; broadhead cut diameter ≥ 7/8″.
Rifle: Centrefire calibres ≥ .24 cal; straight‑wall calibres restricted in select zones; slug‑only shotgun permitted where specified.
Muzzleloader: .40 cal or larger, patched round ball or conical bullet; approved ignition systems only; single‑projectile conversions only.
Regulations & Resources
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Zone Maps & Calendars: “Périodes de chasse” PDF for 2024–26 valid Apr 1 2024 – Mar 31 2026
In‑Season Updates: See “Nouvelles règles de chasse” (last updated May 27 2025) quebec.ca
Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours via online portal or by phone
Special Areas: Outfitters (ZECs), wildlife reserves and parks require separate access permits
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and licence requirements on the official Quebec “Périodes de chasse” webpage to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from Quebec Government: https://www.quebec.ca/chasse-sportive/periodes-limites
With clear season windows, zone‑specific bag limits and complete licence details, you’re ready to plan your 2025–26 Quebec hunt. Consult official calendars, prepare thoroughly and experience Quebec’s unrivalled hunting heritage.
Hunting Seasons in British Columbia, Canada 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 British Columbia hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to waterfowl.
British Columbia’s mosaic of coastal rainforests, interior plateaus and mountain ranges supports world‑class deer seasons, elk and moose hunts, black bear forays and waterfowl wingshooting. BC’s 225 Management Units (MUs) span nine regions, each with specific season windows, bag limits and provincial regulations. This guide compiles the 2025–26 deer seasons, elk and moose tag draws, small game and migratory bird dates, plus licence and weapon rules to ensure a compliant, ethical hunt in BC.
What Is There to Hunt in British Columbia?
Big Game: Whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, black bear
Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, blue grouse, snowshoe hare, wild turkey
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, doves (federal permit required)
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, wolf, fox, beaver, marten
BC’s diverse ecotypes deliver opportunities from spring bear hunts to late‑fall waterfowl wingshooting—year‑round adventure.
What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in British Columbia?
Unprotected predators (coyote, fox, wolf) may be taken any time on private land with landowner permission; public land hunting outside open seasons often requires special permits. Always verify MU‑specific restrictions before targeting nuisance species.
British Columbia Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer & Mule Deer
Archery: Sep 1 – Oct 15
Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 1 – Dec 7
Licences: Most MUs OTC; Limited Entry Draw for specified bull‑only areas
Elk
Archery: Sep 1 – Oct 31
Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 15 – Dec 7
Licences: OTC archery; LEH draw for antlered bull hunts in select MUs
Moose
Archery: Sep 15 – Oct 31
Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 15 – Nov 30
Licences: Limited Entry Draw only; applications open Feb – Mar 2025
Black Bear
Spring: Apr 1 – Jun 15
Fall: Aug 1 – Oct 31
Licences: OTC; cub harvest prohibited; strict hound‑use restrictions in some areas
Note: Draw application deadlines and MU‑specific tag allocations appear in the online Synopsis corrections & updates; check for in‑season changes.
British Columbia Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Upland Birds & Small Game:
Ruffed Grouse, Blue 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 (daily limit 5 ducks; 5 geese)
Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 15)
Requirements: Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit & Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp
Bag Limits by Species
Deer (Whitetail/Mule): 1 antlered or antlerless per season
Elk & Moose: 1 legal bull or cow (where drawn)
Black Bear: 1 (cub harvest prohibited)
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/Wolf/Fox: no limit on private land; public‑land restrictions apply
License & Tags Information for British Columbia Hunters (2025–26)
Resident Licence: $30 (annual); individual tags $15/species
Non‑Resident Licence: $200 (annual); tags $30/species; LEH draw fee $25
Additional Permits:
Federal Migratory Bird Permit & Habitat Stamp (free; mandatory)
LEH draw for antlered deer, elk and moose (applications Feb 1 – Mar 15, 2025)
Hunter Education: Proof of BC Hunter Education Program or equivalent mandatory
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Bow: Compound, recurve, longbow; crossbows allowed only Dec 1 – Jan 31 in select MUs; broadhead minimum 7/8″ cutting diameter.
Rifle: Centrefire calibres ≥ .24 cal; straight‑wall handgun calibres restricted; shotguns permitted for slug use only.
Muzzleloader: Must be .40 cal or larger, patched round ball or conical bullet; approved ignition systems only; single‑projectile conversions only.
Regulations & Resources
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
MU Maps & Synopsis: Download the 2024–2026 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026
Corrections & Updates: In‑season updates listed online (last updated Jul 29, 2025)
Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours (online or phone)
Special Areas: Parks and Protected Areas may require separate permits
Verification Reminder:
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and licence requirements on the official BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/hunting/regulations-synopsis
Armed with exact season windows, bag limits and licence details, you’re set to plan your 2025–26 British Columbia hunt. Review official Synopsis updates, prepare accordingly and embrace BC’s unparalleled wildlife adventure.
Hunting Seasons in Louisiana 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide
Plan your 2025–26 LA hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to wild turkey to waterfowl. Whether you’re slipping through cypress swamps for early‑season ducks, glassing hardwood ridges for rutting bucks, or setting decoys for snow geese on flooded fields, Louisiana’s bayous, bottomlands, and pine forests deliver year‑round hunting under clear state regulations.
What Is There to Hunt in Louisiana?
Louisiana’s diverse habitats support:
Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear (limited draw), feral hogs (no closed season)
Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, squirrel, bobwhite quail
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (mallard, teal, mottled), geese, coots, rails, snipe
Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, nutria (open season), bobcat
From flooded rice fields to upland pine stands, Louisiana offers premier opportunities for big game, small game, and waterfowl hunters alike.
Year‑Round Huntable Species
On private lands with landowner permission, you may pursue feral hogs, coyote, nutria, and raccoon year‑round, aiding nuisance control and providing off‑season sport. Public‑land WMAs require you follow posted seasons and weapon restrictions.
Louisiana Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26
Whitetail Deer
Archery (Zone A & B): Sept 19 – Nov 8; Dec 15 – Jan 15, 2026
General Firearms: Nov 9 – Dec 14, 2025
Muzzleloader: Oct 17 – Oct 24, 2025
Youth Hunt: Sept 12 – 14, 2025
Seasons vary by zone; bow hunters enjoy two separate windows, while rifle hunters follow a continuous firearm period. Bag limit: 2 deer per season (no more than 1 antlered).
Wild Turkey (Spring)
Season: Mar 28 – May 3, 2026
Youth Hunt: Mar 21 – 27, 2026
Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
Spring turkey regulations allow both shotgun and archery; permits are free but required, and harvest reporting is mandatory.
Louisiana Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26
Small Game & Upland Birds
Rabbit & Squirrel: Oct 29 – Feb 28, 2026
Bobwhite Quail: Oct 29 – Feb 28, 2026 (WMAs only)
Walk levees and piney woods for fast‑paced rabbit and squirrel hunts, or call quail covert openings with bird dogs and 12‑gauge shotguns.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Regular Duck Season: Nov 7 – Jan 24, 2026 (zones split)
Early Teal: Sept 5 – 27, 2025
Goose Season: Nov 21 – Jan 10, 2026
Rails & Coots: Sept 1 – Oct 14, 2025
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset; non‑toxic shot required
Louisiana’s coastal marshes and rice fields draw ducks, geese, and rails. Hunters need a Federal Duck Stamp, HIP registration, and state waterfowl permit.
Bag Limits by Species
Whitetail Deer: 2 per season (max 1 buck)
Wild Turkey: 2 birds per spring season
Ducks: 6 per day; sub‑limits on teal and mottled ducks
Geese: 3 per day
Rails & Snipe: 15 rails; 8 snipe per day
Rabbit & Squirrel: 8 per day each
Feral Hogs, Coyote, Nutria: No bag limits; WMA rules apply
Bag limits protect game populations and support sustainable big game and small game harvests.
License & Tags Information for Louisiana Hunters (2025–26)
All hunters must carry a valid Louisiana hunting license and required permits:
Resident License: $27.50; Nonresident: $207.50
Deer Tags: $11 (antlered); $4 (antlerless)
Turkey Permit: Free, online application
Waterfowl Permit: $11; Federal Duck Stamp & HIP required
Trapping License: Required for furbearers
Licenses fund wildlife management and habitat conservation; applications open in early August for migratory‑bird permits.
Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader
Louisiana allows:
Bows: Compound and crossbow (archery season only)
Firearms: Rifles, shotguns (slugs & buckshot) during general seasons
Muzzleloaders: Primitive firearms during designated week
Dogs & Bait: Permitted for feral hog and raccoon; check WMA guidelines
Follow weapon and caliber restrictions to maintain legal, ethical hunts.
Regulations & Resources
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries regulations cover:
Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset (waterfowl strict sunrise rule)
Hunting Zones & Maps: Detailed by parish and WMA; consult online map viewer
Harvest Reporting: Deer and turkey must be reported within 48 hrs
Special Areas: Waterfowl refuges, WMAs with controlled access
Always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements via the official 2025–26 Hunting Dates PDF before heading afield.
Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt.
This guide was created based on information from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF): https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/seasons-and-regulations
With clear seasons, manageable bag limits, and accessible license structures, Louisiana offers rewarding hunting across coastal wetlands, hardwood bottoms, and pine ridges. Prepare your bow or rifle, secure the proper tags, and embrace the state’s rich wildlife heritage on your 2025–26 hunt.
