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Questions on Hunting Licences

Questions Related to Minimum Age Requirements For Using a Firearm For Hunting and Fur Harvesting:

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

16

18

Yes

Nova Scotia

Note: requires provincial minors permit and must be accompanied by adult until 18

12

12

16

Yes

Prince Edward Island

Note: Minors can hunt coyotes with a rifle at age 12

12

12

N/A - PEI does not have Big Game

Yes

New Brunswick

Note: provincial minors permit required for small game and waterfowl hunting between 12 and 15

12

12

16

Yes

Quebec

12

12

12

Yes

Ontario

Note: Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program mandatory between 12 - 15 years of age.

12

12

16

Yes

Manitoba

12

12

12

Yes

Saskatchewan

Note: Provincial regulations require supervision by an adult

12

12

 

12

 

Yes

Alberta

Note: Province requires supervision of an adult until 18

12

12

12

Yes

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

10

10

Yes

Northwest Territories

 

14

Note: Must be accompanied by licenced adult

 

14

Note: Must be accompanied by licenced adult

 

16

No

Yukon

 

n/a

Consent by parent or guardian if under 16

n/a

Consent by parent or guardian if under 16

12-14

Requires  accompanying adult

No

Nunavut

n/a

n/a

n/a

No

 

Questions related to the Program for Hunters and Anglers with a Disability

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. 

Please select your level of agreement with the following statements.

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