Migratory Game Bird Permit 2026–2027: How to Apply in Canada, Province by Province
To hunt ducks, geese, and other migratory game birds anywhere in Canada, you need a federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit — it costs $17.00 plus tax, includes the $8.50 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, and is sold online through the ECCC Regulatory Services Platform, at select Canada Post outlets, and via independent vendors. The permit is valid from August 1 to June 30, applies to residents and non-residents alike, and most provinces layer their own hunting license on top of it. Here is exactly how to apply, what each province and territory adds to the stack, what it costs, and the mistakes that get hunters fined.
If you are researching this the night before opening day, you are not alone — plenty of waterfowlers figure out the paperwork last minute every August. The good news? The application itself takes under ten minutes when you know which portal to use and what documents to have ready. The confusion usually starts after the federal permit is in hand, because the rules change the moment you cross a provincial border. That is what this guide clears up. By the end, you will know precisely what to buy, where to buy it, and what to carry in your pocket before the first flock works your decoys.
What Exactly Is the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit?
The Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) Permit is a federal authorization issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), not by any province. It is your legal ticket to harvest migratory game birds — think ducks, geese, brant, coots, snipe, rails, and woodcock — under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022. No province issues this permit, and no province can exempt you from it.
The permit works nation-wide: whatever province or territory you buy it in, it is valid anywhere in Canada where a season is open. It is personal and non-transferable — the daily bag and possession limits apply only to the person whose name is printed on it. You can purchase one on someone else’s behalf, but only that named hunter can hunt under it.
Migratory Game Bird Permit: Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | Environment and Climate Change Canada (federal) |
| Permit fee | $17.00 plus applicable taxes |
| Conservation Stamp included | $8.50 Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation (CWHC) Stamp |
| Validity period | August 1 to June 30 each year |
| Formats | Electronic (e-permit) or physical paper permit |
| Minimum age for a standard permit | 18 (Youth Permit available under 18) |
| Youth permit cost | Free (e-permit only, includes e-stamp) |
| Valid everywhere | Any province or territory with an open season |
| Carry rule | Must carry it (printed or on your phone) while hunting |
| Purchase channels | ECCC Regulatory Services Platform, Canada Post outlets, independent vendors |
| Helpline | 1-855-869-8670 |
Who Must Hold This Permit?
The list is short, and there are few exemptions:
- Every hunter aged 18 and over hunting migratory game birds, resident or non-resident.
- Youth under 18, who qualify for the free Youth MGBH Permit — there is no lower cut-off for the federal document.
- Non-Canadian visitors, including U.S. hunters, who must hold the permit plus meet any provincial non-resident licence rules.
- Hunters targeting murres (turrs) — in Newfoundland and Labrador, the federal permit is mandatory even for this species.
- Hunters returning home with birds for export to the U.S., who should also review U.S. import rules (50 CFR Part 20) and current avian influenza restrictions before crossing the border.
Nobody is exempt from the federal permit on the basis of age, and there is no “free weekend” loophole for adults — so treat the permit like your hunting licence: non-negotiable.
Three Ways to Apply for the Permit
Method 1: Online (e-Permit) — Fastest and Recommended
- Go to the ECCC Regulatory Services Platform (permis-permits.ec.gc.ca re-directs there).
- Create an account or sign in with your existing credentials.
- Enter your personal information — legal name, birth date, address, and contact details.
- Pay the $17.00 fee plus tax with any major credit card, Visa Debit, or Debit Mastercard.
- Download your e-permit instantly, including the printed image of the CWHC Stamp.
- Save a copy on your phone or print it — either format is legally valid when a game officer asks for it.
- Optional: request the physical collector’s stamp by mail, free of charge with an adult e-permit purchase.
The online route runs 24/7, lets you recover a lost permit at no cost, and works from anywhere in the world — handy for non-residents planning a Canadian waterfowl hunting trip.
Method 2: Canada Post Outlets (Paper Permit)
- Find a participating post office using Canada Post’s outlet locator (not every location carries permits).
- Bring government-issued photo ID.
- Pay the permit fee plus applicable taxes at the counter.
- Take the paper permit, then affix the CWHC Stamp to it in the designated space once you receive the stamp.
- Ask the clerk for the seasonal regulation summary while you are there.
Call Canada Post customer service at 1-866-607-6301 to confirm which outlets stock permits — availability is concentrated in city centres.
Method 3: Independent Vendors (Paper Permit)
- Locate an authorized vendor on ECCC’s list of permit sellers.
- Complete the application form provided in-store.
- Pay the fee; the vendor hands over the paper permit and stamp.
- Sign the permit and affix the stamp before you hunt.
Paper purchases are cash-and-carry, but remember: lost paper permits cannot be replaced — vendors keep no purchase records, so you would pay full price again.
E-Permit or Paper Permit: Which One Makes Sense?
| Consideration | E-Permit | Paper Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase time | Minutes, 24/7 | Store hours only |
| Instant use | Yes, immediately downloadable | Yes, at the counter |
| Lost-document recovery | Free re-download from the platform | Must re-purchase full price |
| Physical stamp | E-stamp printed on the permit; optional mailed collector’s stamp | Separate stamp you must affix yourself |
| Best for | Non-residents, last-minute planners, anyone who loses things | Traditionalists, hunters already at a post office |
Given the free recovery feature, the e-permit is the sensible default for most hunters — a small piece of digital insurance you will appreciate when your phone falls out of a wader pocket or the truck gets rifled through at a motel.
Youth Permits and Mentor Rules
Canada actively encourages young waterfowlers through the free Youth MGBH Permit for hunters under 18:
- The Youth Permit carries its own daily bag and possession limits — the youth’s harvest does not count against the mentor’s.
- It is valid for the full fall seasons and the spring conservation season.
- The youth must hunt under the supervision of a mentor: a hunter over 18 who holds a valid MGBH permit and has held one in a previous year.
- A mentor can accompany up to two youth permit holders at once (some provinces, like Ontario, cap it at one — check local rules).
- Mentors may carry a firearm and hunt while supervising.
- Youth permits are only issued through the Regulatory Services Platform.
Pro tip: provinces layer their own youth requirements on top — age cut-offs for provincial licences, hunter education rules, and mentoring ratios vary. Verify the local summary before opening morning.
The Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, Explained
You cannot skip the stamp — it is part of the permit’s validity, not an add-on:
- The $8.50 stamp is included in your $17.00 fee; you never buy it separately for hunting purposes.
- On a paper permit, the stamp must be physically affixed to validate the document.
- On an e-permit, the stamp image is printed directly on the downloaded PDF.
- Stamp revenue flows to Wildlife Habitat Canada, a national charity that has directed over $65 million into more than 1,620 habitat projects since 1984 — wetland conservation that directly benefits the ducks you hunt.
- The artwork changes yearly through a national art competition, which makes the stamps collectible on their own.
In plain terms? Your $8.50 is the single most direct conservation contribution most hunters make all year.
Provincial and Territorial Licence Requirements at a Glance
Here is the table that settles every argument at the hunting camp. The federal permit is always required; the second column shows what each jurisdiction adds.
| Province / Territory | Provincial / Territorial Licence Required (in addition to the federal permit) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | WiN card + wildlife certificate ($35) + game bird licence ($20) | All bought through ALBERTA RELM |
| British Columbia | Provincial hunting licence | Valid BC hunting licence required; regional rules apply |
| Manitoba | Provincial hunting licence; non-residents need an FRMGB licence | 7-day non-Canadian licence via outfitter or draw (June 15–July 15) |
| New Brunswick | Provincial hunting licence | Get it from GNB Fish and Wildlife or an authorized issuer |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Provincial hunting licence; federal permit required even for murres | Youth can buy a licence at 12 |
| Nova Scotia | Provincial licence with Wildlife Habitat Stamp as the base | Purchase through the NS online licensing system |
| Ontario | Outdoors Card + small game licence | Three-part stack: federal permit, stamp, provincial licence |
| Prince Edward Island | Provincial hunting licence | Sold online; federal permit still mandatory |
| Quebec | Provincial small game hunting licence | Non-residents need a Quebec non-resident small game licence |
| Saskatchewan | Game bird licence + Wildlife Habitat Certificate ($20) | Federal permit, provincial licence, and certificate all required |
| Northwest Territories | Check territorial hunting rules | Federal permit (or e-permit) with stamp image affixed |
| Nunavut | Territorial licensing may apply; verify with the territory | Federal permit is the core document; age rules differ |
| Yukon | Yukon hunting licence (small game licence) | $5 residents / $20 non-residents; valid April 1–March 31 |
Province-by-Province Notes
- Alberta: Buy your WiN and wildlife certificate first in ALBERTA RELM, then add the game bird licence. A federal permit is the final layer — many prairie hunters keep a printed e-permit in the truck glovebox all season.
- British Columbia: Your BC hunting licence plus the federal permit covers most waterfowling; the Lower Mainland has extra zone-specific rules, so skim the BC summary before you pick a marsh.
- Manitoba: Famous for prairie pothole hunting. Non-Canadian residents must either hire an outfitter for a 7-day FRMGB license or enter the annual draw between June 15 and July 15 — mark the calendar, because missing it costs you the season. Spring conservation goose hunters need a free provincial license from manitobaelicensing.ca plus the previous year’s federal permit.
- New Brunswick: Keep it simple: one provincial hunting licence, one federal permit. The Maritimes’ autumn duck flights are worth the two minutes of paperwork.
- Newfoundland & Labrador: The province runs its own strict rules — non-toxic shot is mandatory, shotguns are capped at three shells, baiting is banned within 14 days of the season, and murre (turr) hunting requires the federal permit.
- Nova Scotia: The provincial Wildlife Habitat Stamp is the base licence for all hunting; the federal permit sits on top for migratory birds.
- Ontario: The classic three-part stack: federal MGBH permit, Conservation Stamp, and an Outdoors Card with a small game license. See our Ontario hunting seasons guide for zone dates before you book a blind.
- Prince Edward Island: Provincial licences are sold online; the federal permit is still non-negotiable for Canada geese and black ducks along the Island’s shoreline farms.
- Quebec: You need the federal migratory bird licence and the provincial small game licence — non-residents buy the non-resident version. French-language regulation summaries exist, but the federal one is bilingual.
- Saskatchewan: The game bird licence plus the $20 Wildlife Habitat Certificate — the certificate is a one-time purchase each licence year and is auto-included with your first licence transaction.
- Northwest Territories: The federal e-permit with the stamp image is the primary document; confirm territorial rules for the area you plan to float.
- Nunavut: Expect the federal permit plus territorial conditions — minimum-age rules and licensing can differ from southern Canada, so confirm with the territory’s wildlife department before flying in.
- Yukon: A Yukon hunting licence (the $5 resident small game licence or $20 non-resident version) plus the federal permit. Licences run April 1 to March 31, unlike the federal permit’s August-to-June cycle — two dates to track, not one.
Before You Head Out: Firearms, Shot, and Carry Rules
- Carry the permit at all times while hunting or transporting unpreserved birds, and present it immediately when asked by a game officer.
- Non-toxic shot only for migratory game birds — lead is prohibited in most provinces (BC makes narrow exceptions for doves and pigeons).
- Respect federal hunting hours: no shooting before half an hour before sunrise or after half an hour after sunset.
- Use no more than three shells in shotgun magazine and chamber combined in most provinces, and never hunt from a powerboat, aircraft, or motorized vehicle.
- Live decoys, electronic calls, and recorded bird sounds are prohibited.
- Know your daily bag and possession limits from the provincial summary — they change every two years.
- Your federal permit does not replace a PAL or firearm licence — those come from the RCMP under the Firearms Act.
- Report any banded bird you harvest at 1-800-327-BAND (2263) — it feeds the population data that sets future seasons.
What It Costs in Total (Calculator-Style Breakdown)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Federal MGBH Permit (includes CWHC Stamp) | $17.00 + tax |
| Alberta: wildlife certificate + game bird licence | $35 + $20 |
| Saskatchewan: Wildlife Habitat Certificate + game bird licence | $20 + varies by licence |
| Yukon small game licence | $5 (resident) / $20 (non-resident) |
| Youth MGBH Permit | $0 |
| Manitoba FRMGB (non-Canadian, 7-day) | Set by outfitter / draw licence fee |
A resident prairie hunter budgeting for a full season should expect roughly $40–$80 on licences and permits before ammunition and gas. That is a small price for what is arguably the best waterfowl hunting on the continent.
Lost Permits, Replacements, and Renewals
- E-permit lost? Log back into the Regulatory Services Platform and re-download it — free, unlimited, instant.
- Paper permit lost? Buy a new one at full cost. Canada Post and vendors do not keep purchase records.
- Renewal: There is no automatic renewal. Every season is a fresh purchase starting August 1 — same form, same fee.
- Validity overlap: A permit bought August 1, 2026 covers hunting through June 30, 2027, which neatly spans two calendar seasons of some species. Add a reminder in your phone for July.
Enforcement: What Happens If You Hunt Without It
Federal game officers, provincial conservation officers, and the RCMP all enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Consequences range from warnings to tickets, fines, and prosecution — a summary conviction for a first offence can draw a fine between $5,000 and $300,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Hunting without a valid permit also means any birds you take are illegally harvested, which compounds the problem if you are stopped with a limit in the truck. The math is simple: a $17 permit beats a five-figure fine, every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Migratory Game Bird Permit online?
Under ten minutes. Account creation, form, payment, download — the e-permit is valid the second the transaction clears, which is why night-before-season purchases work perfectly.
Do I need a migratory bird permit if I only hunt grouse or rabbits?
No — the federal permit covers migratory game birds only (waterfowl, snipe, rails, woodcock, and similar species under federal jurisdiction). Upland birds like grouse and ptarmigan fall entirely under provincial licensing.
Can a non-Canadian visitor buy the permit?
Yes. Canadian and international hunters alike can purchase it online or at Canada Post outlets. U.S. residents should then review provincial non-resident licence rules — Manitoba’s draw and Saskatchewan’s non-resident limits are the ones that catch people off guard.
Is the Youth Permit really free?
Yes, completely free — including the electronic stamp. But it is only available online through the Regulatory Services Platform, so a parent or guardian completes the purchase.
Can I hunt without the stamp on my permit?
No. An unstamped permit is invalid — the CWHC Stamp is the validation. E-permits print it on the document; paper permits need it physically affixed.
Where can I check my province’s current bag limits?
The Migratory Birds Regulations set the framework, and each province’s summary page on the ECCC site lists daily and possession limits by zone. Always confirm before you hunt — limits reset every two years.
What about hunting seasons — where do I find dates?
Season dates vary wildly by zone and species. Build your plan around a province-specific calendar like our Canada waterfowl hunting seasons calendar for ducks and geese, then verify against the official ECCC provincial summary for exact dates.
Do I need the permit for the spring goose conservation season?
Yes — spring conservation seasons still fall under the federal framework. Bring the same permit and stamp you used in the fall (or buy a fresh one if the season spans the August renewal date).
What identification do I need to buy the permit?
Government-issued photo ID at a counter, or your personal details online. No hunter education proof is required for the federal permit itself — that is a provincial licence requirement instead.
Are there any health restrictions on transporting harvested birds?
Yes, and they change. The U.S. currently enforces temporary avian influenza import restrictions on game bird meat from affected areas. The official ECCC permit overview page links to current guidance — check it before crossing any border with birds.
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