Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022:

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Last Updated: September 24 2026

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Question:How do Ontario hunters confirm they are following the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 when hunting migratory game birds?

Answer:DefendCharges.ca™ can help Ontario hunters interpret the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 for recreational migratory game bird hunting, including when an MGBH permit and Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp are required, how Part 2 rules interact with Schedule 3 (open seasons, hunting hours, daily bag and possession limits), and what’s prohibited regarding migratory birds, eggs, and nests under the general protection rule.   If you’re facing a compliance question or a potential charge, contact DefendCharges.ca™ at (647) 559-3377 to discuss your situation with a paralegal who can help you understand the applicable requirements and next steps under Ontario hunting enforcement realities.

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Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022

The Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 contain many of Canada's detailed federal rules governing migratory birds and migratory game bird hunting.  For hunters in Ontario, the Regulations address matters such as federal hunting permits, open seasons, hunting hours, bag and possession limits, baiting, shotguns, ammunition, vehicles, retrieval, possession, labelling, and transportation.

Note: Please contact DefendCharges.ca™ by phone at: (647) 559-3377 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

The Regulations are made under federal legislation, principally the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.  The Act provides the broader statutory framework, while the Regulations contain many of the practical requirements that apply to migratory game bird hunting.

This resource provides a plain-English overview of the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, identifies the provisions that are particularly relevant to Ontario hunters, explains how Schedule 3 works, and provides direct links to the current official Government of Canada sources.

What Are the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022?

The Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 are federal regulations governing activities involving migratory birds, their eggs, and their nests.  A regulation is a legally binding rule made under authority provided by legislation.

The Regulations came into force in 2022 and replaced the former Migratory Birds Regulations.  They provide detailed rules concerning protection of migratory birds, permits, migratory game bird hunting, possession, overabundant species, birds causing damage or danger, and other authorized activities.

The official Justice Laws website currently identifies the Regulations as current to June 21, 2026 and last amended on June 12, 2026.

How Are the Regulations Organized?

The Regulations are divided into several parts dealing with different activities.

• Part 1 - General: General prohibitions, permits, temporary possession, ministerial powers, and provisions respecting constitutionally protected Indigenous rights;
• Part 2 - Hunting Migratory Game Birds: Recreational hunting, hunting permits, seasons, hunting methods, equipment, vehicles, retrieval, bag limits, possession, labelling, gifting, and related requirements;
• Part 3 - Overabundance, Damage and Danger: Rules concerning overabundant species and migratory birds causing or likely to cause damage or danger;
• Part 4 - Other Activities: Other authorized activities involving migratory birds; and
• Schedule 3: Open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, and special measures organized by province and hunting area.

For ordinary recreational migratory game bird hunting in Ontario, Part 2 and Schedule 3 are particularly important.

What Is the General Rule About Migratory Birds?

Section 5 establishes a broad protection rule for migratory birds, their eggs, and their nests.

Unless a permit or another provision of the Regulations provides authorization, a person generally must not:

• Capture, kill, take, injure, or harass a migratory bird, or attempt to do so;
• Destroy, take, or disturb an egg; or
• Damage, destroy, remove, or disturb a nest, nest shelter, eider duck shelter, or duck box.

The Regulations contain exceptions and different forms of authorization for particular activities.  The exact provision should therefore be checked before assuming that an activity involving a migratory bird, egg, or nest is either prohibited or permitted.

Where Are the Recreational Hunting Rules?

Part 2 of the Regulations applies to hunting and the subsequent possession of migratory game birds.

Section 27 establishes the basic rule that a person must not hunt migratory game birds unless authorized by the Regulations.

Part 2 then contains the more detailed requirements governing subjects such as:

• Open and closed seasons;
• Permitted hunting hours;
• Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits;
• Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamps;
• Youth hunting permits and supervision;
• Baiting;
• Bows, crossbows, and shotguns;
• Shotgun capacity;
• Non-toxic shot;
• Electronic calls and other hunting methods;
• Vehicles and boats;
• Retrieval of killed or wounded birds;
• Daily bag limits;
• Possession limits;
• Labelling and identification of birds;
• Gifting and temporary possession; and
• Transportation and handling of harvested birds.

What Is a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit?

Section 30 provides for the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit, commonly called an MGBH Permit.

The permit authorizes its holder to hunt migratory game birds, primarily for human consumption, and to possess the birds hunted under the permit, subject to the other requirements of the Regulations.

A permit does not override the season, hunting district, bag limit, possession limit, hunting method, equipment, or other rules.  Those requirements continue to apply separately.

Is the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp Required?

Yes, for ordinary hunting under an MGBH Permit.  Section 31 prohibits hunting migratory game birds under an MGBH Permit unless an authorized Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp appears on the permit.

The stamp remains valid for the same period as the permit on which it appears.

What Rules Apply to Youth Hunting Permits?

Section 32 contains federal provisions for minors who obtain an MGBH Permit.

A minor may obtain the hunting permit and habitat conservation stamp without paying the prescribed fees.  While hunting, the minor must be accompanied by an individual who:

• Holds an MGBH Permit;
• Held an MGBH Permit in a previous year; and
• Is not a minor.

One accompanying individual may accompany no more than two qualifying minors at the same time.

These are federal migratory bird requirements.  Ontario youth hunting, apprenticeship, and hunter accreditation requirements can also apply independently.

How Long Is an MGBH Permit Valid?

Section 33 provides that an MGBH Permit expires on June 30 following the date it was issued.

Section 34 also requires the permit holder to have the permit on their person while hunting.  The permit must be shown immediately to a game officer when requested.

The permit can also be required when the holder is away from their primary or habitual residence and possesses an unpreserved migratory game bird hunted under the permit.

Can a Hunting Permit Become Invalid After a Conviction?

Yes, in circumstances set out in section 35.

Subject to specified exceptions and any applicable court order or ministerial decision, an MGBH Permit can cease to be valid when its holder is found guilty of an offence under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

Section 35 can also prevent a person from applying for another MGBH Permit for 12 months following certain guilty findings unless permission from the Minister is first obtained.

The section contains exceptions, so the particular offence and applicable provisions need to be checked before determining whether these consequences apply.

Where Are the Open Seasons?

Open seasons for migratory game birds are prescribed through Schedule 3 of the Regulations.

Section 28 generally prohibits hunting a species in an area listed in Schedule 3 outside the open season established for that species and area.

Schedule 3 is organized geographically and contains tables that can identify:

• The hunting area or district;
• The species or group of species;
• Possession limits;
• Open season dates;
• Daily bag limits; and
• Special hunting methods or measures where applicable.

For Ontario, Environment and Climate Change Canada also publishes an annual summary that presents the current Schedule 3 information in a more convenient format.

What Are the Federal Hunting Hours?

Section 28 also contains federal restrictions on nighttime hunting.

South of 60 degrees north latitude, which includes Ontario, the general prohibition runs from one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise, unless Schedule 3 provides otherwise.

Other federal, provincial, or local firearm and hunting restrictions may also apply independently.

What Are the Rules About Hunting Near Bait?

Section 36 generally prohibits hunting migratory game birds within 400 metres of a place where bait has been deposited.

Hunting may occur after the area has been free of bait for at least seven days or where the bait was deposited under an authorization recognized by the Regulations.

The Regulations also clarify that certain normal agricultural situations are not treated as baiting for this purpose, including:

• Standing crops;
• Flooded harvested cropland;
• Crops harvested and placed in upright sheaves for drying where they grew; and
• Grain scattered solely through normal agricultural or harvesting operations.

The distinction between prohibited baiting and normal agricultural activity can depend on the circumstances and the precise wording of the Regulation.

What Weapons Can Be Used?

Section 37 identifies the bows, crossbows, and shotguns that can be used for migratory game bird hunting.

Subject to the Regulation's exceptions, authorized weapons include:

• A qualifying bow with the required minimum draw weight and broadhead;
• A qualifying crossbow with the required minimum draw weight and broadhead; and
• A shotgun no larger than number 10 gauge that meets the federal capacity requirements.

A shotgun must either be designed to hold no more than three cartridges or have its capacity properly reduced so that it cannot hold more than three cartridges in the magazine and chamber combined.

While hunting migratory game birds, a person must also not possess in the hunting area a shotgun holding more than three cartridges or a detachable magazine capable of holding more than two cartridges.

Is Non-Toxic Shot Required?

Section 38 generally prohibits hunting migratory game birds while possessing or using shot other than legally defined non-toxic shot in the hunting area.

The Regulations contain specific species exceptions.  The general non-toxic shot requirement does not apply to hunting American Woodcock, Band-tailed Pigeon, Murres, or Eurasian Collared-Dove.  A separate Mourning Dove exception applies in British Columbia.

Because the exceptions are species and location specific, the applicable provision should be checked before using ammunition other than non-toxic shot.

Are Electronic Bird Calls Allowed?

Generally, electronic bird calls are prohibited for migratory game bird hunting.

Section 39 prohibits hunting using live birds and generally prohibits electronic bird calls.  An electronic call can be used where Schedule 3 specifically authorizes its use for the applicable area and circumstances.

The Regulations also allow the use of raptors in areas where the province has designated hunting with raptors as lawful.

Can Migratory Game Birds Be Hunted From a Vehicle?

Section 40 generally prohibits hunting a migratory game bird from or using an aircraft or motorized land vehicle.

A specific exception exists for qualifying mobility impaired persons who hunt while the aircraft or motorized land vehicle is stationary and who satisfy the requirements of the section.

Ontario hunting and firearm rules can impose additional requirements independently of this federal provision.

Can Migratory Game Birds Be Hunted From a Boat?

Section 41 generally prohibits hunting migratory game birds from or using a moving boat equipped with a motor or sail.

A boat continues to be considered moving where it is still moving because of motion previously imparted by its motor or sails.

The restriction does not prevent the use of a boat to retrieve a migratory game bird after the bird has been legally killed or wounded.

What Are the Retrieval Requirements?

Section 42 requires hunters to have adequate means immediately available to retrieve migratory game birds that they kill or injure.

A bird that is killed must be retrieved as soon as circumstances permit.  A bird that is wounded must be killed and retrieved as soon as circumstances permit.

These duties apply separately from the rules concerning permits, bag limits, hunting methods, and possession.

What Is a Daily Bag Limit?

A daily bag limit is the maximum number of migratory game birds of a particular species or group that may be killed or taken in one day.

Section 43 connects the applicable daily bag limit to the limits prescribed in Schedule 3.

Section 44 also prohibits continuing to hunt a species or group of species after the applicable daily bag limit has been reached.

The actual number depends on the species, hunting area, and current Schedule 3 rules.

What Is a Possession Limit?

A possession limit controls the number of unpreserved migratory game birds of a species or group of species that may be possessed at one time.

Section 46 connects possession limits to Schedule 3 and contains additional rules where birds were hunted in different areas or provinces.

A bird that is given to another person can begin counting toward the recipient's possession limit once the gift is accepted.

Why Must a Wing or Head Sometimes Remain Attached?

The Regulations contain identification requirements for harvested migratory game birds.

Section 45 requires a migratory game bird that has been eviscerated and plucked in the prescribed manner to retain a fully feathered wing or fully feathered head until the point specified by the Regulation.

Section 52 also generally requires an unpreserved migratory game bird hunted under an MGBH Permit to have at least one fully feathered wing or the fully feathered head attached while it is possessed or transported so that the species can be identified.

Birds must also be stored so that each bird can be counted and its species identified.

What Are the Labelling Rules?

Section 50 contains labelling requirements when harvested birds are transferred to another person's possession.

A person who kills or takes a migratory game bird generally must not allow the bird to enter another person's possession unless it is preserved or properly labelled.

Where a label is required, it generally identifies:

• The full name and contact information of the individual who took the bird;
• The date the bird was taken;
• The number of the MGBH Permit under which it was taken; and
• The signature of the individual who took the bird.

The Regulations also permit qualifying birds to be labelled together as a group where the group labelling requirements are satisfied.

Can Someone Else Temporarily Possess a Harvested Bird?

Yes.  Section 48 permits another person to temporarily possess a migratory game bird on behalf of its owner.

However, performing taxidermy for profit requires the applicable federal taxidermist permit.

Additional labelling and possession rules can apply when a bird is transferred to another person.

Can Migratory Game Birds Be Given to Someone Else?

Yes, in circumstances authorized by the Regulations.

Section 54 permits an individual who lawfully hunts a migratory game bird under an MGBH Permit to give the bird to another person for:

• Taxidermy;
• Human consumption, including charitable purposes; or
• Training dogs as retrievers.

The applicable possession, preservation, and labelling requirements must still be followed.

Can Edible Migratory Game Bird Meat Be Abandoned?

Section 55 generally prohibits allowing edible migratory game bird meat to be abandoned or become unfit for human consumption.

Specific exceptions apply to birds used for taxidermy or for training dogs as retrievers.

This requirement is separate from the federal rules dealing with retrieval immediately after a bird is killed or wounded.

What Is Schedule 3?

Schedule 3 is the part of the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 that contains the open seasons, limits, and special measures for migratory game bird hunting.

Rather than using one national season for every species, Schedule 3 organizes the rules by province and hunting area.

For Ontario, the Schedule works with federal hunting districts and, in some circumstances, Ontario Wildlife Management Units.  The species, district, dates, daily bag limit, possession limit, and any special measures should therefore be checked together.

Can the Federal Minister Change a Season or Limit?

Yes, in circumstances authorized by the Regulations.

Section 19 permits the Minister to vary open seasons, daily bag limits, or possession limits in a Schedule 3 area when considered necessary for the conservation of migratory game birds or murres.  The Minister can also prohibit hunting a species in an area.

Section 20 provides additional authority to vary or suspend the application of the Regulations in a location where urgent action is needed for migratory bird conservation.

When these powers are used, the Minister must publish a notice on a Government of Canada website.  This is one reason current federal hunting information should be checked in addition to the consolidated Regulation.

Do the Regulations Address Indigenous Harvesting Rights?

Yes.  Section 21 specifically addresses hunting and harvesting carried out in the exercise of Aboriginal and treaty rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Individuals exercising qualifying section 35 rights may hunt migratory birds and harvest eggs without an MGBH Permit and without being subject to ordinary open season, daily bag limit, or possession limit requirements, subject to the provisions and conservation powers contained in the Regulations.

Whether a section 35 right exists and how it applies is a separate legal question that depends on the particular right and circumstances.

Do the Regulations Cover More Than Recreational Hunting?

Yes.  The Regulations extend well beyond ordinary recreational hunting.

They contain provisions concerning matters such as:

• General permits;
• Scientific and educational activities;
• Aviculture;
• Taxidermy;
• Overabundant species;
• Birds causing agricultural or other damage;
• Birds creating danger to human health or public safety;
• Aircraft safety;
• Scaring and killing permits; and
• Other authorized activities involving migratory birds, eggs, and nests.

Those specialized provisions should be consulted directly where the activity is not ordinary recreational migratory game bird hunting.

How Do the Regulations Work With Ontario Hunting Law?

The federal Regulations do not replace Ontario hunting requirements.

A person hunting migratory game birds in Ontario generally needs to satisfy both systems.  Federal law governs matters such as the MGBH Permit, conservation stamp, federal seasons and limits, and many migratory bird hunting methods.

Ontario separately regulates matters such as the Outdoors Card, Small Game Licence, hunter accreditation, some firearm and hunting restrictions, property access, and other provincial requirements.

Compliance with one system does not automatically establish compliance with the other.

Where Can You Read the Current Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022?

The official consolidated Regulations are available through the Government of Canada's Justice Laws website.  Justice Laws is the federal government's official online source for consolidated statutes and regulations.

Read the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 on the Justice Laws website.

The Justice Laws page provides the complete Regulations, Schedule 3, amendment information, previous versions, and downloadable HTML, XML, and PDF formats.

Where Can You Find Ontario's Current Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Limits?

Environment and Climate Change Canada publishes an annual Ontario hunting summary based on the federal Regulations.

View the Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary, 2026–2027.

The current Ontario summary covers August 2026 through July 2027 and provides federal hunting districts, open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, and special measures in a practical format.

Where Can You Read the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994?

The federal statute that provides the principal legal authority for the Regulations is also available through Justice Laws.

Read the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 on the Justice Laws website.

The Act and Regulations should be read together where the statutory authority, offence framework, enforcement provisions, or penalties are relevant.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can help explain how the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 and related Ontario hunting requirements apply to a particular legal issue.  This can include identifying the applicable federal provision, permit requirement, hunting district, season, bag or possession limit, hunting method rule, or other regulatory requirement.

Where a hunting ticket, summons, investigation, seizure, or court proceeding is involved, DefendCharges.ca™ can review the applicable federal and provincial legislation, explain the legal issues and potential consequences, and help the person understand their options.

Key Takeaways

• The Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 contain many of Canada's detailed federal rules governing migratory birds and migratory game bird hunting;
• Part 2 contains the principal recreational migratory game bird hunting rules;
• Schedule 3 contains open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, and special measures organized by province and hunting area;
• An MGBH Permit and Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp form part of the federal recreational hunting authorization;
• The Regulations contain detailed rules concerning baiting, weapons, shotgun capacity, non-toxic shot, vehicles, boats, retrieval, daily bag limits, possession, labelling, gifting, and transportation;
• The federal Minister has limited authority to vary seasons, limits, or the application of the Regulations and must publish notice when those powers are used;
• Federal migratory bird requirements can apply alongside separate Ontario hunting requirements;
• The Regulations are currently identified by Justice Laws as current to June 21, 2026 and last amended June 12, 2026; and
• The official Justice Laws version and current Environment and Climate Change Canada hunting information should be used when confirming current requirements.

Conclusion

The Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 provide the detailed federal regulatory framework governing migratory birds and recreational migratory game bird hunting across Canada.  For Ontario hunters, Part 2 and Schedule 3 are particularly important because they establish or support rules involving permits, seasons, hunting districts, limits, hunting methods, ammunition, retrieval, possession, and transportation.  The current Justice Laws consolidation should be read together with the current Ontario migratory game bird hunting summary and any applicable Ontario hunting requirements.