Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary:

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Last Updated: September 24 2026

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Question:How do I check Ontario’s migratory game bird hunting seasons, bag limits, and hunting districts for 2026–2027?

Answer:You can use Environment and Climate Change Canada’s “Summary of the Migratory Game Birds Hunting Regulations: Ontario, August 2026 to July 2027” to quickly find the federal hunting district, species-specific open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, and any special measures for your Ontario location  then confirm the exact federal district and, where rules reference them, the specific Ontario WMU on Ontario’s WMU maps before you hunt  because the summary is a helpful summary and the governing rules remain the law under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022, including Schedule 3  if you need help interpreting a regulation, responding to a hunt-related charge, or preparing next steps in Ontario, DefendCharges.ca™ can assist; call (647) 559-3377.

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Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary

Environment and Climate Change Canada publishes an annual Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary containing current federal information about hunting migratory game birds in Ontario.  The current summary covers August 2026 through July 2027 and includes hunting districts, open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, permit information, special measures, and important regulatory updates.

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

The summary is a practical federal government resource for hunters, but it is not the complete law.  Environment and Climate Change Canada states that the information presented in the summary is a summary of the law and that, if there is a discrepancy, the law prevails.

This resource explains what the Ontario migratory game bird hunting summary contains, how the federal hunting districts work, what changed for 2026–2027, and where to access the official current online summary, PDF, regulations, and permit information.

What Is the Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary?

The Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary is an annual Environment and Climate Change Canada resource that organizes the federal migratory game bird hunting rules that apply in Ontario.

Its official current title is Summary of the Migratory Game Birds Hunting Regulations: Ontario, August 2026 to July 2027.

The summary provides a convenient way to find current federal hunting information without beginning with the full Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022.  It is particularly useful for checking the applicable hunting district, species, open season, daily bag limit, possession limit, and special measures.

Is the Summary the Law?

No.  The summary explains and organizes the federal rules, but the legislation and regulations remain the controlling law.

Environment and Climate Change Canada specifically states that the information presented in the summary is a summary of the law and that the law prevails if there is a discrepancy.

The principal federal legal sources are the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022.  Schedule 3 of the Regulations contains many of the legally prescribed open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, and special measures that appear in the annual Ontario summary.

What Information Does the Summary Provide?

The Ontario summary brings together many of the current federal requirements that migratory game bird hunters need to locate quickly.  These include:

• Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit requirements;
• Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp information;
• Ontario federal hunting districts;
• Open seasons by species and hunting district;
• Daily bag limits;
• Possession limits;
• Special measures for overabundant species;
• Federal hunting hours;
• Non-toxic shot requirements;
• Species at risk information;
• Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit information;
• Federal enforcement information;
• Current regulatory changes affecting Ontario; and
• Links to additional federal and Ontario hunting resources.

The summary should be checked for the particular species, location, and hunting period involved because seasons and limits can differ across Ontario.

What Are Ontario's Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Districts?

For migratory game bird hunting, the federal summary divides Ontario into four hunting districts.  These districts use Ontario Wildlife Management Units, commonly called WMUs, to define many of their boundaries.

• Hudson–James Bay District: WMUs 1A and 1B and specified portions of WMUs 1D, 25, and 26;
• Northern District: WMU 1C, specified portions of WMUs 1D, 25, and 26, and WMUs 2 to 24, 27 to 41, and 45;
• Central District: WMUs 42 to 44, 46 to 50, and 53 to 59; and
• Southern District: WMUs 60 to 95.

The applicable federal hunting district matters because open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, and special measures can differ from one district to another.

Some federal rules also refer to individual Ontario WMUs within a federal hunting district.  A hunter may therefore need to identify both the federal district and the specific Ontario WMU.

Where Can You Find Ontario WMU Boundaries?

Ontario provides a separate official Wildlife Management Unit mapping resource.

Find an Ontario Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) map.

The federal migratory bird summary also describes the WMUs included in each federal hunting district.  Where a rule applies only to specified WMUs, the exact location should be checked against the official mapping information.

What Migratory Game Birds Are Included?

The current Ontario summary provides seasons and limits for several species or groups of migratory game birds.  Depending on the hunting district, these include:

• Ducks;
• Canada Geese and Cackling Geese;
• Snow Geese and Ross's Geese;
• Other geese;
• Rails;
• Coots;
• Gallinules;
• American Woodcock;
• Snipe;
• Mourning Doves; and
• Sandhill Cranes in the areas where a season is authorized.

Not every species has an open season in every district.  The current table for the applicable district should always be checked rather than assuming that a season available in one part of Ontario applies throughout the province.

What Are Open Seasons?

An open season is the period during which federal law permits hunting of the identified migratory game bird in the applicable area, subject to the other legal requirements.

The Ontario summary provides separate open season dates for each federal hunting district and species or group of species.  Some species have more than one season within the same district, and some seasons apply only in specified Ontario WMUs.

The official summary should therefore be used to check the exact species, district, WMU where applicable, and dates before relying on a season.

What Is a Daily Bag Limit?

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

The Ontario summary lists the applicable daily bag limit beside each open season.  Some limits contain additional restrictions on particular species within a combined limit.

For example, the general duck limit can include a separate restriction on the number of Barrow's Goldeneye that may be taken, and additional restrictions can apply to American Black Ducks in parts of southern Ontario.

The exact limit should be checked in the current federal table because it can depend on the species, district, WMU, and dates.

What Is a Possession Limit?

A possession limit is the maximum number of specified unpreserved migratory game birds that may be possessed where a federal possession limit applies.

The possession limit can be different from the daily bag limit.  Some species have a numerical possession limit while others have no possession limit under the current summary.

The applicable species and district table should be checked directly when determining a possession limit.

What Changed in Ontario for 2026–2027?

The 2026–2027 Ontario summary identifies several important changes to migratory game bird hunting rules.

One of the most significant changes is a new open season for Sandhill Cranes.

The new Sandhill Crane hunting opportunity applies:

• Throughout the Hudson–James Bay District;
• On farmland only in specified WMUs in the Northern and Central Districts;
• Only to residents of Canada; and
• With a daily bag limit and possession limit of one bird.

In the Northern District, the farmland season applies in WMUs 23, 24, 27 to 30, 36, 37, 39 to 41, and 45.  In the Central District, it applies in WMUs 42, 43, 47, and 48.

There is no Sandhill Crane open season in the Southern District.

What Other 2026–2027 Changes Apply?

The current federal summary also identifies changes involving geese in southern Ontario.

For Canada Geese and Cackling Geese, the previous daily bag limit restriction in WMU 65 has been removed for part of the 2026–2027 season.  The summary identifies a daily bag limit of five from September 26 to December 30 for that period.

For Snow Geese and Ross's Geese in WMUs 65, 66, 67, and 69B, the spring season has been shortened and now runs from April 1 to April 30 on farmland.  The daily bag limit during that spring period has been reduced to 12.

In specified southern Ontario WMUs, the regular Canada and Cackling Goose and Snow and Ross's Goose season opens on October 3 for 2026–2027, and a seven day winter season runs from February 27 to March 5.

Because these rules depend on specific WMUs and dates, the official table should be consulted directly before relying on a general description.

What Are the Special Measures for Overabundant Species?

The summary includes special conservation measures for Snow Geese and Ross's Geese in parts of southern Ontario.

For 2026–2027, special measures apply in specified Southern District WMUs, including a spring season on farmland from April 1 through April 30.

The summary also permits electronic bird calls of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese during the applicable special measures.  While hunting those species using those calls, another migratory bird species for which there is an open season may also be hunted as permitted by the federal rules.

The precise WMUs, season dates, limits, and special hunting methods should be checked in the current official summary.

What Are the Federal Hunting Hours?

The Ontario summary states that migratory game birds must not be hunted earlier than one half hour before sunrise or later than one half hour after sunset.

Other Ontario or municipal requirements can also affect hunting or firearm discharge.  The federal summary specifically notes that provincial and municipal restrictions can apply independently.

Is Non-Toxic Shot Required?

Yes, for most migratory game bird hunting in Ontario.

The current federal summary states that the use and possession of shot other than non-toxic shot is prohibited while hunting migratory game birds in Ontario, except when hunting woodcock.

Within National Wildlife Areas where hunting is permitted, possession of lead shot is prohibited for all hunting, including migratory and upland game bird hunting.  Additional restrictions can therefore apply based on the land where the hunt occurs.

What Species at Risk Information Appears in the Summary?

The current Ontario summary identifies several migratory birds with federal species at risk status.

• Barrow's Goldeneye: Listed as a species of special concern, with a daily bag and possession limit of one bird;
• Harlequin Duck: Listed as a species of special concern, with no open season;
• Yellow Rail: Listed as a species of special concern, with no open season; and
• King Rail: Listed as endangered, with no open season.

A species being included in a broader bird category does not necessarily mean that it may legally be hunted.  Species specific restrictions in the current summary must also be checked.

What Permit Is Required?

The federal summary states that a person hunting migratory game birds in Canada must possess a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp on the permit.

The Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit, commonly called an MGBH Permit, is valid anywhere in Canada where and when there is an open season to hunt migratory game birds, subject to the applicable legal requirements.

Hunters must carry their MGBH Permit while hunting or when possessing unpreserved migratory game birds in circumstances where the federal rules require it.  An electronic permit can be shown as an electronic PDF or carried as a printed copy.

Ontario licensing requirements also apply separately.

What Is the Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit?

The federal summary includes information about the Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit for hunters who are under 18 years old on the date the permit is issued.

The Youth MGBH Permit and electronic Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp are available without charge through the federal Regulatory Services Platform.

The youth permit provides the young hunter with their own daily bag and possession limits.  Federal supervision requirements apply, and Ontario has additional requirements for young hunters and mentors that must also be followed.

Will Printed Hunting Summaries Continue?

The 2026–2027 season is the last season for which Environment and Climate Change Canada plans to provide printed physical copies of the migratory game bird hunting regulation summaries.

Beginning with the 2027–2028 hunting season, paper copies of the hunting regulation summaries will no longer be printed by Environment and Climate Change Canada.  Electronic versions will continue to be available online and can be printed by users.

The federal government also states that physical MGBH Permits may be phased out as early as the 2027–2028 season, with hunters directed toward the electronic Regulatory Services Platform.

Does the Summary Include Enforcement Information?

Yes.  The summary explains that federal game officers enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and its associated regulations.

Federal enforcement responses can include warnings, administrative monetary penalties, tickets, or prosecutions depending on the circumstances and applicable law.

The summary also provides information for reporting illegal hunting, illegal bird sales, and other migratory bird offences through Crime Stoppers.

Where Can You Read the Current Ontario Summary?

The official current Ontario migratory game bird hunting summary is published by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Canada.ca.

View the Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary, August 2026 to July 2027.

The online version provides the current Ontario hunting districts, open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, special measures, permit information, and regulatory updates.

Can You Download the Official 2026–2027 Ontario Summary?

Yes.  Environment and Climate Change Canada provides an official downloadable PDF of the current Ontario summary.

Download the official Ontario 2026–2027 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary PDF.

The PDF provides the Ontario district descriptions, current federal hunting tables, permit information, regulatory changes, species at risk information, and other current federal hunting guidance in a printable format.

Where Can You Read the Controlling Federal Regulations?

The detailed legally binding rules are contained in the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022.

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

The Regulations should be consulted when the exact wording of a permit requirement, hunting restriction, season provision, hunting method, possession rule, or other federal requirement needs to be confirmed.

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

The federal statute underlying the migratory bird regulatory system is available through the Government of Canada's Justice Laws website.

Read the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

The Act provides the broader federal statutory framework for migratory bird protection, enforcement, offences, penalties, and regulation making authority.

Where Can You Find Migratory Game Bird Permit Information?

Environment and Climate Change Canada maintains a separate official resource for MGBH Permit and Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp information.

View Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit information.

The federal permit resource explains how to obtain an electronic or physical permit, current permit validity, conservation stamp requirements, and Youth MGBH Permit information.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can help explain how information in the Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary relates to the underlying federal legislation and applicable Ontario hunting requirements.  This can include identifying the relevant federal hunting district, species, season, limit, permit requirement, or special measure.

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

Key Takeaways

• The current Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary covers August 2026 through July 2027;
• The summary is published by Environment and Climate Change Canada;
• Ontario is divided into four federal migratory game bird hunting districts: Hudson–James Bay, Northern, Central, and Southern;
• The summary provides current open seasons, daily bag limits, possession limits, permit information, and special measures;
• The 2026–2027 rules include a new limited Sandhill Crane season for Canadian residents in specified areas;
• Changes also affect Canada and Cackling Geese and Snow and Ross's Geese in parts of southern Ontario;
• An MGBH Permit and Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp are required for ordinary migratory game bird hunting;
• Non-toxic shot is generally required while hunting migratory game birds in Ontario, with the federal woodcock exception;
• Beginning in 2027–2028, Environment and Climate Change Canada will no longer provide printed physical copies of the annual hunting regulation summaries;
• The summary is not the complete law, and the underlying federal legislation prevails if there is a discrepancy; and
• The official current online summary and PDF are available directly from Canada.ca.

Conclusion

The Ontario Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations Summary provides a practical annual reference for federal migratory game bird hunting requirements in Ontario.  The 2026–2027 summary organizes current hunting districts, seasons, limits, permit information, special measures, and regulatory updates in an accessible format.  Because it is a summary rather than the complete law, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 should be consulted when the exact legal requirement needs to be confirmed.