Canadian Big Game Tag Deadlines 2026–2027: Every Province’s Application Window, Explained
For the 2026–2027 season, most Canadian big game application windows opened in spring and closed by late June 2026 — Alberta shut its special licence portal on June 25, Saskatchewan closed May 28, Manitoba extended its deadline to June 5, and Ontario wrapped its moose second-chance round on July 7. A handful of windows still matter in late summer, especially for antlerless deer and controlled hunts, so keep this calendar handy because missing a single deadline costs you a full year of priority.
Planning a big game hunt in Canada feels like juggling a dozen different rulebooks, and honestly, it kind of is. Every province and territory runs its own system — some run lottery draws, some use priority pools, and a few don’t hold draws at all. I still remember the spring I let a moose application window slip by while waiting for “the right weekend” to apply. That mistake cost me a season and reminded me why this information needs to live in one place. So I’ve pulled the 2026–2027 deadlines from official agency portals, verified them province by province, and laid them out below in plain, skimmable tables — everything from Alberta’s big game draw to the community tag allocations in Nunavut. No filler, just the dates that matter, with a few smart tips thrown in so you never miss a window again.
How Big Game Applications Work Across Canada
Canada has no national hunting draw. Each province and territory manages its own tag system, and they split into three broad models:
- Lottery draws (random): British Columbia’s Limited Entry Hunting, New Brunswick’s moose and antlerless deer draws, Quebec’s SEPAQ antlerless draws.
- Priority-pool draws: Alberta and Saskatchewan use preference pools where your years without a tag improve your odds.
- No draw at all: Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and most of Nunavut issue licences and tags over the counter or through community organizations.
Knowing which model your province uses is the first step. The second is knowing the exact window — because in almost every case, late applications are simply not accepted, no exceptions.
2026–2027 Big Game Draw Deadlines at a Glance
| Province / Territory | Key draw or allocation | Application window (2026) | Results available | Status (late Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Special big game licence draw | June 2 – June 25 (11:59 p.m.) | July 14, 9 a.m. | Closed |
| British Columbia | Limited Entry Hunting (LEH) | Spring window, typically June (2026 draw already run) | Late July / early Aug | Closed |
| Saskatchewan | Resident Big Game Draw | May 1 – May 28 (4 p.m.) | June (pronghorn: mid-July) | Closed |
| Manitoba | Elk & Moose Draws | May 1 – June 5 (11:59 p.m.) | July 15 | Closed |
| Ontario | Moose allocation, deer & elk draws | April 1 – July 31 depending on draw | May 16 – Sept 1 | Closed / results out |
| Quebec | SEPAQ antlerless moose & deer draws | May 29 – June 15 | Late June | Closed |
| New Brunswick | Resident moose & antlerless deer draws | Moose: May 19 – June 12 | July 6 (moose), Sept 8 (deer) | Moose closed; deer results pending |
| Nova Scotia | Antlerless deer draw | July 6 – July 31 | August 18 | Closed / results out |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Big game licence draw (moose, caribou) | Opened March 5 – May 1 | Summer 2026 | Closed |
| Yukon | Permit Hunt Authorization lottery | April 16 – May 14 (4 p.m.) | Following draw | Closed |
| Prince Edward Island | No draw system | Licences on sale from Aug 25 | N/A | Over the counter |
| Northwest Territories | No draw; over-the-counter tags | N/A | N/A | Over the counter |
| Nunavut | Community tag allocation via HTOs | Varies by community | Varies | Community-based |
Western Provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
Alberta — Big Game (BG) Draw
Alberta allocates special licences for moose, elk, sheep, goat, bear, antelope and mule deer through the BG Draw on the AlbertaRELM portal. The 2026 window ran from June 2 at 9 a.m. to June 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m., with results posted July 14 at 9 a.m. Fall licences went on sale August 4, 2026.
| Step | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| BG draw applications open | June 2, 9 a.m. |
| BG draw applications close | June 25, 11:59 p.m. |
| Results online | July 14, 9 a.m. |
| Undersubscribed info released | July 14 |
| Fall hunting licences on sale | August 4 |
Alberta uses a priority system, so every consecutive year you apply without drawing improves your standing. Apply even for hunts you might not take — declining a drawn licence keeps your priority in most cases.
British Columbia — Limited Entry Hunting (LEH)
BC manages pressure-sensitive species like moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goat and some caribou zones through the Limited Entry Hunting draw. The 2026 fall LEH draw has already been run, and results are available in your WILD profile or through FrontCounter BC. For the 2027 season, expect the application window to open in June 2027 and run for roughly two weeks, matching past cycles — the exact dates are published by the Wildlife Branch each spring.
- Applications are online only through WILD; paper forms are not accepted.
- LEH entries are non-refundable and non-transferable — double-check your hunt codes before paying.
- Shared LEH hunts require a paper Record of Harvest form while hunting.
Saskatchewan — Resident Big Game Draw
The 2026 Saskatchewan draw closed May 28, 2026 at 4 p.m., with results in HAL accounts during June (pronghorn followed in mid-July). Drawn hunters can buy licences from August 1 onward through the portal or any licence issuer.
| Detail | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| Application window | May 1 – May 28, 4 p.m. |
| How to apply | HAL online account only |
| Results | June (pronghorn mid-July) |
| Licence purchase starts | August 1 |
| Non-residents | Must use a licensed outfitter |
Saskatchewan’s pool system deserves attention: you auto-advance through D, C and B pools, but once you reach A pool you must apply every year to keep Super A status — and if you don’t want to hunt a year, apply for Zone 99 to hold your place. The official portal explains the full pool mechanics, including declining licences if you’re drawn for three or more species.
Manitoba — Elk and Moose Draws
Manitoba originally set its 2026 deadline for May 31, then extended it to June 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. — a reminder that checking for deadline extensions pays off. Resident elk landowner and big game elk/moose applications opened May 1, results were posted July 15, and successful hunters had until August 24 to pay for awarded licences.
| Date (2026) | Event |
|---|---|
| May 1 | Applications available |
| June 4, 8:30 a.m. | Resident caribou licences on sale |
| June 5, 11:59 p.m. | Application deadline |
| July 15 | Results announced |
| August 24 | Payment deadline for awarded licences |
Manitoba also runs a migratory bird draw for non-Canadian residents (applications July 15, deadline July 31), which matters if you’re pairing a big game trip with a waterfowl hunt.
Central Canada: Ontario and Quebec
Ontario — Moose, Deer and Elk Allocations
Ontario’s moose tag allocation runs in two stages, and you can apply to both with a single $15 (plus HST) fee. The antlerless deer draw, controlled deer hunt draw and elk draw each have separate windows, all handled through the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service.
| Draw | Application period | Results | Tags/claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moose — primary allocation | April 1 – April 30 | May 16 | Claim tag by June 8 |
| Moose — second chance | June 15 – July 7 | August 1 | Claim by end of season |
| Antlerless deer draw | March 1 – June 30 | August 1 | Print after August 18 |
| Controlled deer hunt draw | July 1 – July 31 | September 1 | Buy licence first |
| Elk draw | April 15 – June 10 | August 1 | Print after August 18 |
The key Ontario rule: a moose tag allocation does not let you hunt. You must hold a moose licence and a claimed tag, or hunt as part of a party with a tag holder. Apprentice hunters aged 12–14 cannot apply.
Quebec — SEPAQ Antlerless Draws
Quebec runs random draws for moose without antlers (orignal sans bois) and deer without antlers (cerf sans bois) through SEPAQ. The 2026 entry period ran May 29 to June 15, at $9.27 per entry code (taxes included), with results emailed in late June.
| Draw | Entry period (2026) | Fee | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless moose | May 29 – June 15 | $9.27 | Late June |
| Antlerless deer | May 29 – June 15 | $9.27 | Late June (email) |
Note that Quebec’s moose management shifts by zone each year — some units had reduced or closed antlerless-moose hunting in 2026 — so confirm your zone’s status in the official hunting seasons guide before planning around a drawn tag.
Atlantic Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador
New Brunswick — Resident Moose and Antlerless Deer Draws
New Brunswick’s resident moose draw accepted applications May 19 to June 12, 2026, with 4,727 licences up for grabs and results posted July 6. The antlerless deer draw typically opens in late summer with results on September 8, and the Crown Reserve draw results came out March 23, 2026.
| New Brunswick draw | Application window | Results (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Resident moose | May 19 – June 12 | July 6 |
| Antlerless deer | Late summer (typically) | September 8 |
| Crown Reserve | Winter/spring | March 23 |
One New Brunswick quirk: a majority of moose licences are tied to Wildlife Management Zones, and pair applications (a hunter plus a partner with a valid licence) are common — make sure both applicants’ Outdoors Card numbers are correct before hitting submit.
Nova Scotia — Antlerless Deer Draw
Nova Scotia opened its antlerless deer draw July 6, 2026, offering 6,025 stamps at $8.04 each. Hunters could apply online, by phone (1-833-302-0750) or by mail until July 31, with results released August 18. The province also lowered the eligible age to 12 for 2026, so youth hunters with valid licences can enter.
Prince Edward Island — No Draw System
PEI is the exception every hunter should know about: there are no draws, no deer tag lotteries, no moose allocations. You need only a hunting licence and the right stamps, with licence applications opening August 25 each year through Access PEI. It keeps things simple — arrive early for the season and the tag is yours.
Newfoundland and Labrador — Big Game Licence Draw
Newfoundland and Labrador opened its big game licence draw for the 2026–27 season March 5, 2026, with resident hunters able to apply for moose and caribou licences until May 1. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by August 31, 2026, hold a Hunter Certificate Number, and apply through the Wildlife Information Management System. The 2026–27 results have been posted online through the Wildlife Division.
| Requirement | 2026–27 value |
|---|---|
| Application open | March 5, 2026 |
| Deadline | May 1, 2026 |
| Minimum age | 16 by August 31, 2026 |
| Application system | Wildlife Information (WIMS) |
The Territories: Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Yukon — Permit Hunt Authorization Lottery
Yukon sells most big game seals over the counter (for species except wolf), but restricted areas need a Permit Hunt Authorization (PHA) for moose, caribou, sheep, goat, deer or elk. The 2026–27 PHA lottery opened April 16 and closed May 14, 2026 at 4 p.m., at $10 + GST per application ($20 + GST for a joint entry). Each species and area requires a separate application and fee. Since April 1, 2026, Yukon has also moved to an updated online licence application process — big game seals now require an electronic licence printout at purchase.
Northwest Territories — Over-the-Counter Tags, No Lottery
The NWT keeps it straightforward: no big game lottery exists. Residents buy hunting licences and species-specific wildlife tags directly, with tag fees ranging from roughly $24 to $119 and harvest fees from $238 to $2,376 depending on species. Non-residents must hire a licensed outfitter. Tags attach to the animal immediately after the kill, and mandatory harvest reporting applies.
Nunavut — Community Tag Allocation
Nunavut manages big game through 25 community Hunters and Trappers Organizations (HTOs) rather than a provincial draw. Caribou totals, for example, are set by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board and allocated as tags among communities and HTOs, which distribute them locally. If you’re a non-resident, you hunt through an outfitter licensed under the Nunavut system, and your outfitter arranges tags. There is no single application deadline — timing follows each community’s allocation calendar.
What Happens After You Apply
Getting your application in on time is only half the battle. Here’s what follows in most provinces:
- Results windows: Most results post 4–8 weeks after the deadline — Ontario’s moose primary results arrive May 16, Alberta’s July 14, Manitoba’s July 15, NB’s moose July 6.
- Tag claiming: Ontario requires you to claim a moose tag by June 8 after primary results; miss it and the tag goes to the second-chance pool.
- Payment deadlines: Manitoba awarded licences must be paid by August 24; Saskatchewan licences go on sale August 1.
- Declining licences: Saskatchewan lets hunters drawn for three or more species decline a licence and keep pool status, but you must keep at least two, and you must notify the ministry by July 31.
- Undersubscribed hunts: Alberta lists leftover opportunities the same day results post — worth checking for high-demand zones that didn’t fill.
Priority Points and Pool Systems, Explained
- Alberta: Your consecutive years of applying (without drawing) build priority; apply every year even if you can’t hunt.
- Saskatchewan: Pools D → C → B advance automatically; A pool requires an annual application to reach and hold Super A.
- BC (LEH): Successful applicants have their chances reduced in later draws, giving unsuccessful hunters better odds — the opposite of a points system.
- Ontario moose: The points-based allocation weighs your years of applying; party applications share the group’s combined points.
- Yukon PHA: Uses a weighted lottery where repeated unsuccessful applications increase weight.
Common Mistakes That Cost Hunters Their Tags
- Assuming the deadline is the “same date every year.” Manitoba’s 2026 extension (May 31 → June 5) proves windows shift. Always verify the current year’s dates on the official portal.
- Applying in the wrong zone. Hunt codes change annually — Saskatchewan publishes a fresh supplement each spring, Alberta lists codes in the hunting draws booklet.
- Ignoring eligibility prerequisites. Hunter education certification, minimum ages (NL: 16 by Aug 31) and residency rules are checked against every application; false info means fines and lost hunting rights.
- Forgetting the follow-up steps. A drawn tag you never claim (Ontario) or never pay for (Manitoba) is a wasted priority year.
- Missed group details. Saskatchewan requires each group member’s HAL number and date of birth; get one digit wrong and the whole group application fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do most Canadian big game draws open for the 2026–2027 season?
Most opened between March and June 2026, with May and June being busiest; as of August 28, 2026, these windows have closed, so check provincial sites for 2027 dates.
Can non-residents apply to Canadian big game draws?
Rarely—most resident draws are restricted to provincial residents; non-residents typically must use outfitters, guided hunts, or special non-resident allocations instead.
What is the difference between a draw, a lottery and a tag allocation?
A draw is a formal licence-distribution process; a lottery is purely random; a tag allocation uses rules like priority points or hunting history—though often used interchangeably, they differ in selection method.
Do I lose priority points if I skip a year of applying?
Not always, but you lose that year’s advancement; some provinces may drop your status or reset you after multiple skipped years, so check local rules.
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
You’re excluded from that year’s draw, but may still access second-chance allocations, leftover tags, general licences, or outfitter hunts—late applications are generally not accepted.
Which provinces do not use draw systems for big game tags?
None are entirely draw-free; all use a mix of draws and general licences, though Yukon and Northwest Territories rely more on licence/outfitter systems but still have some draw exceptions.
Ready to dig deeper? If you’re zeroing in on one province, the Manitoba hunting seasons guide covers that province’s full season calendar in detail (bold anchor), and once tags are secured, the Canada moose hunting season dates guide is the right companion for planning around the rut. For authoritative confirmation of anything here, always cross-check the Ontario big-game draw page or the Saskatchewan Big Game Draw portal directly.
