Seasons and Bag Limits
The 2021-22 license year begins July 1, 2021 and ends June 30, 2022.
SUNDAY HUNTING: It is unlawful to hunt on Sundays except foxes, crows and coyotes. Other exceptions are included with species seasons below.
Remaining 2020-21 Seasons
Below are the hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits remaining, through June 30, 2021.
Small Game
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.
STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.
Big Game
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 24, 2021. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 1-May 31, 2021. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From May 1-15, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 17-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Additional information in the Digest
LIGHT GEESE (Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese):
Atlantic Population Zone:
- Conservation Hunt: Jan. 25 – April 23; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Southern James Bay Population Zone:
- Conservation Hunt: Feb. 15 – April 23; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Resident Population Zone:
- Conservation Hunt: Feb. 22 – April 23; 25 daily, no possession limit.
Furbearer Hunting
COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.
No open season on other wild birds or mammals.
Seasons and bag limits for next license year (July 1-June 30) are preliminarily approved by the Board of Commissioner's at their January meeting and finally adopted at the April meeting.