Question 1

Can US hunters hunt waterfowl in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes — US residents can legally hunt waterfowl in Canada. You need: (1) a provincial hunting licence from the province you'll hunt in, (2) a Canadian Migratory Birds Hunting Permit issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and (3) compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA). When returning to the US, you must comply with US Fish & Wildlife Service import regulations — ducks must be transported with species identification intact (at least one wing attached). Some species cannot be transported across the border. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 2

What is the Canadian Migratory Birds Hunting Permit?

Accepted Answer

The Canadian Migratory Birds Hunting Permit (MBHP) is a federal permit required in addition to your provincial licence. It is issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada. All migratory bird hunters in Canada must purchase this permit regardless of residency status. The permit is available online through the ECCC web portal or at Canada Post outlets and authorized licence issuers in each province. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 3

How much does a non-resident waterfowl licence cost in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Non-resident (US hunter) licence costs for 2025–26: Alberta CAD $182.77, Saskatchewan CAD $109, Manitoba CAD $120, British Columbia CAD $213+, Ontario CAD $139.96, Quebec CAD $113.51. All provinces also require the Canadian Migratory Birds Hunting Permit (approx. CAD $17). Non-toxic shot is mandatory across all Canadian provinces for waterfowl hunting. Source: Provincial wildlife agencies, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 4

What are the duck bag limits in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Canadian duck bag limits vary by province and management zone, set annually by Environment and Climate Change Canada. General daily limits for the 2025–26 season: Alberta and Saskatchewan 8 ducks/day including no more than 4 mallards, Manitoba 6 ducks/day, British Columbia 6–8 ducks/day depending on zone, Ontario 6 ducks/day, Quebec 6 ducks/day. Pintail limits are typically 1/day across Canada due to population concerns. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada Migratory Birds Regulations, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 5

When does duck season open in the Prairie Provinces?

Accepted Answer

Prairie duck seasons for 2025–26: Alberta and Saskatchewan typically open in late September (around September 27, 2025) and run through late November or December — approximately 60 shooting days. Manitoba opens similarly in late September. The Prairies are the core of the North American breeding duck population (PPR — Prairie Pothole Region) and offer some of the most diverse and productive waterfowl hunting on the continent. Source: Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 6

Do I need non-toxic shot in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes — non-toxic shot is mandatory for all waterfowl hunting throughout Canada. This applies to all species of ducks, geese, and coots. Lead shot is prohibited for waterfowl hunting in every province. Steel, bismuth, tungsten, and other non-toxic alternatives are all legal. Non-toxic shot requirements apply regardless of whether you are a resident or non-resident hunter. Source: Migratory Birds Convention Act regulations, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 7

What is the best province for duck hunting in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Alberta and Saskatchewan are widely regarded as the top provinces for duck hunting in Canada — sitting at the heart of the Prairie Pothole Region, which produces 50–80% of North America's breeding ducks. The PPR in both provinces is especially known for mallards, teal, pintail, widgeon, and diving ducks. Manitoba is close behind and often more accessible for hunters coming from the US Midwest. BC offers excellent coastal and Interior hunting for different species (puddle + diving ducks, sea ducks). Source: Ducks Unlimited Canada, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 8

Can I bring harvested birds back to the US from Canada?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with conditions. US Fish & Wildlife Service regulations require that birds transported across the US-Canada border have species identification — at minimum one fully feathered wing attached per bird throughout transport. Each hunter may import up to the Canadian daily bag limit per day of hunting. Migratory birds protected under both the US and Canadian treaties may be transported if legally harvested under Canadian law. Certain species of concern may have additional restrictions. Source: USFWS and Canada Border Services Agency, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 9

What species can I hunt in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Canadian waterfowl hunters can pursue mallards, teal (blue-winged, green-winged, cinnamon), pintail, widgeon, gadwall, canvasback, redhead, ringneck ducks, scaup, goldeneye, bufflehead, and mergansers within provincial bag limits. Canada Geese, snow geese, and white-fronted geese (specks) are also available with provincial goose licences. The Prairie Provinces are especially renowned for mallard and pintail hunting. BC offers unique sea duck and coastal diving duck hunting. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, verified 2026-05-08.

Question 10

Are there early teal seasons in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Canada does not have a formal early teal season equivalent to the US September teal season. Blue-winged teal can be hunted during the regular waterfowl season, which opens in late September in most provinces. Some provinces have zone-specific early openers that may coincide with early teal migration, but a dedicated early teal framework does not exist in Canadian federal regulations. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, verified 2026-05-08.

Province	Opens	Closes	Daily Bag	NR Licence
Alberta Prairie Pothole Region — premier mallard & pintail hunting	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 16, 2025	8 ducks	CAD $182.77
Saskatchewan Core PPR breeding habitat — exceptional early-season teal	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 16, 2025	8 ducks	CAD $109
Manitoba Southern MB accessible from northern US states	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 7, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $120
British Columbia Pacific coastal zone + Interior valleys — sea ducks available	Oct 11, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6–8 ducks	CAD $213+
Ontario Great Lakes shoreline + interior marshes	Oct 4, 2025	Dec 7, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $139.96
Quebec St. Lawrence River corridor — Atlantic Flyway connection	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 11, 2026	6 ducks	CAD $113.51
New Brunswick Atlantic Flyway — black duck stronghold	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 21, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $80+
Nova Scotia Coastal saltmarsh and freshwater mixed habitat	Oct 4, 2025	Dec 31, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $75+

Province	Opens	Closes	Daily Bag	NR Licence
Alberta Prairie Pothole Region — premier mallard & pintail hunting	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 16, 2025	8 ducks	CAD $182.77
Saskatchewan Core PPR breeding habitat — exceptional early-season teal	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 16, 2025	8 ducks	CAD $109
Manitoba Southern MB accessible from northern US states	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 7, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $120
British Columbia Pacific coastal zone + Interior valleys — sea ducks available	Oct 11, 2025	Jan 25, 2026	6–8 ducks	CAD $213+
Ontario Great Lakes shoreline + interior marshes	Oct 4, 2025	Dec 7, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $139.96
Quebec St. Lawrence River corridor — Atlantic Flyway connection	Oct 4, 2025	Jan 11, 2026	6 ducks	CAD $113.51
New Brunswick Atlantic Flyway — black duck stronghold	Sep 27, 2025	Dec 21, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $80+
Nova Scotia Coastal saltmarsh and freshwater mixed habitat	Oct 4, 2025	Dec 31, 2025	6 ducks	CAD $75+

Canada Waterfowl Hunting Seasons 2025–26

2025–26 Province Comparison

Prairie Provinces — North America's Duck Factory

Official Licence Sources

Canada Waterfowl Hunting — Frequently Asked Questions

US Flyways