New Brunswick

Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations, 20112012

Summary
The information presented here is a summary of the law. For complete information regarding fines, general prohibitions, permitted methods of hunting and equipment, the requirement to have adequate means to retrieve birds immediately, restrictions on the use of bait, description of hunting zones, and other regulations, you may contact: Environment Canada Wildlife Enforcement Division 17 Waterfowl Lane P.O. Box 6227 Sackville, New Brunswick E4L 1G6 Tel.: 506-364-5044 Fax: 506-364-5062 Hunting Zones Zone No. 1 Saint John County south of No. 1 Highway and west of Saint John Harbour, that part of Charlotte County lying south of No. 1 Highway, and the Grand Manan Islands and Campobello Island, except the following area, which is closed to hunting: the area in the Bay of Fundy known as The Wolves, including the surrounding waters. Zone No. 2 The remainder of the Province of New Brunswick, except the following, which are closed to hunting: the estuary of the Tabusintac River, Bathurst Basin and most of Bathurst Harbour (two islands remain open and signs have been posted to indicate their locations), and the Dalhousie shoreline from the eastern tip of Dalhousie Island to the mouth of the Miller Brook and extending one kilometre offshore.

You are required to possess a valid federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit with a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to hunt migratory birds in Canada. This permit and stamp are valid in all provinces and territories. Most provinces and territories have additional licence requirements for hunting migratory birds and/or to carry firearms. To know what you require, and if there are further restrictions for hunting migratory birds, please verify the applicable regulations for the province/territory where you will be hunting. Note that all required permits and licences must be in your possession while you are hunting.

Check your permit and provincial hunting regulations for additional restrictions, such as Sunday closures, minimum required distances from residences and businesses, the 1:00 p . m . closure for Tabusintac and Tracadie lagoons, and the requirement to use a dog while hunting woodcock during September. For conservation purposes, the maximum daily bag of one Barrows Goldeneye and maximum possession limit of two Barrows Goldeneye was instituted in New Brunswick in 2007. The maximum daily bag limit of one bird would not make unintentional shooting illegal; however, it would ensure that legitimate hunters who did shoot one Barrows Goldeneye would cease hunting for the day, or be aware that they would contravene regulations if they continued hunting and shot additional Barrows Goldeneye. These regulations have been put in place to provide additional protection to this population, currently listed as a species of special concern in Schedule 1 (List of Wildlife Species at Risk) of the federal Species at Risk Act. Farmland, as defined in the Migratory Birds Regulations, means land that is being used for crop production or animal husbandry (terre agricole). In National Wildlife Areas located in New Brunswick, the following regulations apply. Refer to notices posted at entrances for area-specific rules. Vehicles, ATVs and snowmobiles are prohibited unless otherwise posted. Vegetation may not be cut or damaged. Fires are not permitted. Camping is not permitted. The construction and use of tree stands is prohibited. Domestic animals may not be allowed to run at large. Outboard motors greater than 9.9 horsepower are not permitted.

Waterfowler Heritage Day provides young hunters under the age of majority with the opportunity to practice hunting and outdoor skills, learn about wildlife conservation, and reinforce safety training in a structured, supervised environment. Licensed adult hunters who serve as mentors have an opportunity to pass on their considerable skills and knowledge by offering guidance and advice to younger hunters. The following rules are in effect: to participate, young hunters under the age of majority do not require the federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit; young participants must comply with all existing safety and licensing requirements found in the Firearms Act and provincial hunting regulations; participants must be accompanied by a licensed mentor over the age of majority; and mentors may not hunt or carry a firearm, and may accompany no more than two young hunters.

Non-toxic shot must be used in all areas of Canada to hunt migratory game birds, except for woodcock, Band-tailed Pigeons and Mourning Doves. Within National Wildlife Areas, the possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including the hunting of migratory birds and upland game birds. Hunters should consult provincial or territorial regulations for additional restrictions. For those birds still hunted with lead shot, remove the lead shot before cooking whenever possible in order to reduce your exposure to contaminants. As well, remove the skin and fat from fish-eating birds before cooking them. HELPFUL TIP Canadians may be exposed to avian-borne viruses when hunting or handling migratory birds and other wild game. Environment Canada recommends the following website, maintained by the Public Health Agency of Canada, for information about minimizing the risk of exposure: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

CRIME STOPPERS The Canadian Wildlife Service has joined forces with New Brunswick Crime Stoppers to address offences concerning migratory birds. Anyone wishing to report illegal hunting activities, illegal selling of birds or other offences related to migratory birds is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Y call is anonymous, and you may be eligible for a cash reward. our

OPEN SEASONS IN NEW BRUNSWICK (No open season for Harlequin Ducks)
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks) and geese WATERFOWLER HERITAGE DAY Sept. 17, 2011 Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks), geese (other than Canada Geese and Cackling Geese) and snipe Oct. 15, 2011, to Jan. 4, 2012 Additional season for Common and Red-breasted mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, eiders and Woodcock scoters in coastal waters only Feb. 1 to Feb. 24, 2012 Sept. 15 to Nov. 30, 2011

Area Zone No. 1

Canada Geese and Cackling Geese Sept. 6 to Sept. 16, 2011(a), and Oct. 15, 2011, to Jan. 4, 2012 Sept. 6 to Sept. 16, 2011(a), and Oct. 1 to Dec. 18, 2011

Zone No. 2

Sept. 17, 2011

Oct. 1 to Dec. 18, 2011

No additional season

Sept. 15 to Nov. 30, 2011

(a) In Zone No. 1 and Zone No. 2, hunting for Canada Geese and Cackling Geese during the period of September 6 to September 16, 2011, is allowed only on farmland.

BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Ducks (other than Common and Redbreasted mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Harlequin Ducks, eiders and scoters) 6(a) 12(b)

Common and Red-breasted mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, eiders and scoters 6(c) 12(d)

Geese 5(e) 10(e)

Woodcock 8 16

Snipe 10 20

Not more than 3 may be American Black Ducks, and not more than 1 may be Barrows Goldeneye. Not more than 6 may be American Black Ducks, and not more than 2 may be Barrows Goldeneye. Not more than 4 may be scoters; and in Zone No. 1 from February 1 to February 24, 2012, not more than 4 eiders may be taken daily. Not more than 8 may be scoters; and in Zone No. 1 from February 1 to February 24, 2012, not more than 8 eiders may be possessed. Not more than a total of 3 additional Canada Geese or Cackling Geese, or any combination of them, may be taken daily and not more than a total of 6 additional Canada Geese or Cackling Geese, or any combination of them, may be possessed from September 6 to September 16, 2011, inclusive.

REPORT YOUR MIGRATORY BIRD BANDS: CALL 1-800-327-BAND (2263) OR GO TO: WWW.REPORTBAND.GOV
ISSN 1925-6949