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, checked October 16, 2026.

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 2026–27: Alberta CAD $273 + GST (unguided, including the wildlife certificate), Saskatchewan CAD $245 for one 5-day fall term, Manitoba CAD $229, British Columbia CAD $180 + GST, Ontario CAD $130.09 + HST, Quebec CAD $114.71 including tax, New Brunswick CAD $82 + HST. Every province also requires the federal Canadian Migratory Birds Hunting Permit (CAD $17 plus tax). Non-toxic shot is mandatory across Canada for waterfowl. Source: provincial licence pages, checked October 16, 2026.

Question 4

What are the duck bag limits in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Canadian duck bag limits are set by Environment and Climate Change Canada and vary by province and hunting district — several provinces use districts whose dates and limits differ substantially from one another. We do not publish a single national figure here because ECCC does not set one. Check the ECCC Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations summary for the province and district you are hunting.

Question 5

When does duck season open in the Prairie Provinces?

Accepted Answer

For 2026–27, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba all open duck season September 1, 2026, with some zones opening later: Alberta Zone 2 on September 8, and for non-residents Manitoba Zone 2 on September 8 and Zones 3–4 on September 24. Seasons close December 16–23 in Alberta, December 16 in Saskatchewan, and between October 31 and December 6 across Manitoba's zones. Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations summaries, August 2026 to July 2027, checked October 16, 2026.

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 September 1 in several provinces in 2026. 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 Zone 1 closes Dec 16; Zone 2 opens Sep 8.	Sep 1, 2026	Dec 23, 2026	8 ducks	CAD $273 + GST
Saskatchewan Core PPR breeding habitat — exceptional early-season teal One 5-day fall term (new for 2026); two fall terms CAD $395.	Sep 1, 2026	Dec 16, 2026	8 ducks	CAD $245
Manitoba Southern MB accessible from northern US states Non-residents open Sep 8 (Zone 2) and Sep 24 (Zones 3–4); hunt with an outfitter or through the draw.	Sep 1, 2026	Dec 6, 2026	8 ducks	CAD $229
British Columbia Pacific coastal zone + Interior valleys — sea ducks available Dates vary by district.	Sep 1, 2026	Jan 24, 2027	8 ducks	CAD $180 + GST
Ontario Great Lakes shoreline + interior marshes Dates vary by district; Southern District opens Sep 26.	Sep 1, 2026	Jan 10, 2027	6 ducks	CAD $130.09 + HST
Quebec St. Lawrence River corridor — Atlantic Flyway connection Dates vary by district.	Sep 1, 2026	Jan 2, 2027	6 ducks	CAD $114.71 (tax incl.)
New Brunswick Atlantic Flyway — black duck stronghold Zone 1 opens Oct 15; Zone 2 closes Jan 15.	Oct 1, 2026	Jan 29, 2027	6 ducks	CAD $82 + HST
Nova Scotia Coastal saltmarsh and freshwater mixed habitat Zone 2 opens Oct 8. 2026–27 licence fees not yet posted.	Oct 1, 2026	Jan 22, 2027	6 ducks	See agency

Province	Opens	Closes	Daily Bag	NR Licence
Alberta Prairie Pothole Region — premier mallard & pintail hunting Zone 1 closes Dec 16; Zone 2 opens Sep 8.	Sep 1, 2026	Dec 23, 2026	8 ducks	CAD $273 + GST
Saskatchewan Core PPR breeding habitat — exceptional early-season teal One 5-day fall term (new for 2026); two fall terms CAD $395.	Sep 1, 2026	Dec 16, 2026	8 ducks	CAD $245
Manitoba Southern MB accessible from northern US states Non-residents open Sep 8 (Zone 2) and Sep 24 (Zones 3–4); hunt with an outfitter or through the draw.	Sep 1, 2026	Dec 6, 2026	8 ducks	CAD $229
British Columbia Pacific coastal zone + Interior valleys — sea ducks available Dates vary by district.	Sep 1, 2026	Jan 24, 2027	8 ducks	CAD $180 + GST
Ontario Great Lakes shoreline + interior marshes Dates vary by district; Southern District opens Sep 26.	Sep 1, 2026	Jan 10, 2027	6 ducks	CAD $130.09 + HST
Quebec St. Lawrence River corridor — Atlantic Flyway connection Dates vary by district.	Sep 1, 2026	Jan 2, 2027	6 ducks	CAD $114.71 (tax incl.)
New Brunswick Atlantic Flyway — black duck stronghold Zone 1 opens Oct 15; Zone 2 closes Jan 15.	Oct 1, 2026	Jan 29, 2027	6 ducks	CAD $82 + HST
Nova Scotia Coastal saltmarsh and freshwater mixed habitat Zone 2 opens Oct 8. 2026–27 licence fees not yet posted.	Oct 1, 2026	Jan 22, 2027	6 ducks	See agency

Canada Waterfowl Hunting Seasons 2026–27

2026–27 Province Comparison

Prairie Provinces — North America's Duck Factory

Official Licence Sources

Canada Waterfowl Hunting — Frequently Asked Questions

US Flyways