In Newfoundland and Labrador the minimum age to legally hunt and shoot small game or furbearers with a firearm is sixteen. Small game hunting includes ptarmigan, grouse, snowshoe hare, arctic hare (Labrador), ducks, geese and snipe. Fur harvesters (trappers) may use firearms to humanely dispatch live animals caught in traps such as coyotes, fox and lynx. To hunt big game (moose, caribou and bear) in Newfoundland and Labrador a person must be eighteen years of age. In Canada, the majority of provinces and territories allow individuals to participate in hunting or trapping at an earlier age. This is designed to support local interests, allow opportunities to teach safe practices at an early age and foster responsible, ethical hunting and trapping behavior.
The following table presents an overview of minimum age requirements for using a firearm for hunting and fur harvesting across Canada
Province/Territory
Small Game
Waterfowl
Big Game
Hunter Education Required
Newfoundland and Labrador
16
18
Yes
Nova Scotia
Note: requires provincial minors permit and must be accompanied by adult until 18
12
Prince Edward Island
Note: Minors can hunt coyotes with a rifle at age 12
N/A - PEI does not have Big Game
New Brunswick
Note: provincial minors permit required for small game and waterfowl hunting between 12 and 15
Quebec
Ontario
Note: Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program mandatory between 12 - 15 years of age.
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Note: Provincial regulations require supervision by an adult
Alberta
Note: Province requires supervision of an adult until 18
British Columbia
Note: Age 10 -13, licence held by parent or guardian (no hunter ed. requirement). At age 14 must complete hunter education course and purchase own licence. Minor must be accompanied until 19 years of age.
10
Northwest Territories
14
Note: Must be accompanied by licenced adult
No
Yukon
n/a
Consent by parent or guardian if under 16
12-14
Requires accompanying adult
Nunavut
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador first introduced legislation related to the Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability in 1998. The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources manages the application/eligibility process for this program. Once an application is approved it allows the person with a disability who holds a big game licence to designate a qualified hunter to shoot the big game animal on behalf of the licence holder provided that the person with a disability remains in sight of the designated shooter. Similarly a person who holds a salmon angling licence may designate a licensed angler to catch and retain wild salmon on behalf a person with a disability provided that the person with the disability remains within 100 meters of the designated angler. Amendments to the regulations occurred in 2015 and resulted in an expansion to eligibility criteria under provincial wildlife legislation which greatly increased opportunities for persons with disabilities.
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