Summary of the Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations: Newfoundland and Labrador, August 2026 to July 2027
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Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must possess:
- a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) Permit
- a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation (CWHC) Stamp on the permit
The MGBH Permit is valid anywhere in Canada where and when there is an open season to hunt migratory game birds.
Waterfowl and Snipe hunting zones
Long description
A map of Newfoundland and Labrador divided into waterfowl and snipe hunting zones. Newfoundland is divided into Northwestern Coastal, Northern Coastal, Northeastern Coastal, Avalon-Burin Coastal, Southern Coastal, Southwestern Coastal and Inland zones. Labrador is divided into Northern Labrador, Western Labrador, Southern Labrador and Central Labrador zones.
Northwestern Coastal Newfoundland Zone: bounded by a line drawn due west from Cape St. Gregory, and from there northward and eastward along the coast, ending in a boundary line drawn due northeast through Cape Bauld.
Northern Coastal Newfoundland Zone: bounded by a line drawn due northeast from Cape Bauld, and from there southward along the east coast, ending in a boundary line drawn due northeast through Cape St. John.
Northeastern Coastal Newfoundland Zone: bounded by a line drawn due northeast through Cape Bonavista, and from there in a generally westerly direction along the coast, ending at a boundary line drawn due northeast through Cape St. John.
Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone: bounded by a straight line drawn due south from Cape Rosey, and from there in a generally easterly and northerly direction along the coast, ending at a boundary line drawn due northeast from Cape Bonavista.
Southern Coastal Newfoundland Zone: bounded by a line drawn due west through Cape Ray, and from there southward and eastward along the coast, ending at a line drawn due south through Cape Rosey.
Southwestern Coastal Newfoundland Zone: bounded by a line drawn due west from Cape St. Gregory, and from there southward along the coast, ending in a boundary line drawn due west through Cape Ray.
“Coastal” refers to the portion of the coast of the Island of Newfoundland, and of the adjacent offshore islands, lying less than 100 m from the mean ordinary high‑water mark and the adjacent marine coastal waters.
Inland Newfoundland Zone: the portion of the Island of Newfoundland, and of the adjacent offshore islands, that is not within the zones described above.
Northern Labrador Zone: the portion of Labrador lying north of latitude 54°24’N and east of longitude 65°W.
Western Labrador Zone: the portion of Labrador lying west of longitude 65°W.
Southern Labrador Zone: the portion of Labrador lying south of latitude 53°06’N (Boulter Rock) and east of longitude 57°06’40”W.
Central Labrador Zone: the portion of Labrador that is not within the portions described above.
Murre/Turr hunting zones
Long description
A map of Newfoundland and Labrador divided into Murre/Turr hunting zones.
Murre Zone No. 1: the coastal waters in the Northern Labrador Zone and the Central Labrador Zone.
On the map, Boutler’s Rock at latitude 53°06’ N is located in this zone.
Murre Zone No. 2: the coastal waters in the Southern Labrador Zone and the portions of the Northwestern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, the Northern Coastal Newfoundland Zone and the Northeastern Coastal Newfoundland Zone bounded by a line drawn due northeast from Deadman’s Point (49°21′N, 53°41′W) and a line drawn due west from Cape St. Gregory (49°24′N, 58°14′W).
On the map, Deadman’s Point and the northeast bounding direction line are shown.
Murre Zone No. 3: the portions of the Southwestern Coastal Newfoundland Zone and the Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone bounded by a line drawn due west from Cape St. Gregory (49°24′N, 58°14′W) and a line drawn due east from Western Bay Head (47°53′N, 53°03′ W), excluding the portion of the Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone bounded by a line drawn due east from Cape Race (46°39′N, 53°04′W) and a line drawn due east from Cape Spear (47°31′20″N, 52°37′40″W).
On the map, Cape St. Gregory and its latitude of 49°24′N along with the westward bounding line is shown. On the map, Western Bay Head and the eastward bounding line are also shown. On the map the bounding lines bounding from Cape Race and Cape Spear are showing.
Murre Zone No. 4: the portions of the Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone and the Northeastern Coastal Newfoundland Zone bounded by a line drawn due east from Cape Race (46°39′N, 53°04′W) and a line drawn due northeast from Deadman’s Point (49°21′N, 53°41′W), excluding the portion of the Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone bounded by a line drawn due east from Cape Spear (47°31′20″N, 52°37′40″W) and by a line drawn due east from Western Bay Head (47°53′N, 53°03′W).
On the map, a bounding line from Cape Race and Deadman’s Point and the northeast bounding direction line are shown. On the map, the eastward bounding lines from Cape Spear and Western Bay Head are shown.
Note:To obtain the geospatial data of the hunting zone boundaries, consult Boundaries of migratory bird hunting districts in Atlantic Canada.
Species at risk
- Barrow’s Goldeneye is listed in the Species at Risk Act as a species of special concern. The daily bag and possession limit is 1 bird
- Harlequin Duck is listed in the Species at Risk Act as species of special concern. There is no open season for this species
Open season and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds in Newfoundland and Labrador
Northwestern Coastal Newfoundland Zone
Northwestern Coastal Newfoundland Zone
Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- November 1 to February 15
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- October 10 to January 24
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
Harlequin Ducks
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone, Northeastern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, Northern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, Southern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, and Southwestern Newfoundland Coastal Zone
Avalon-Burin Coastal Newfoundland Zone, Northeastern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, Northern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, Southern Coastal Newfoundland Zone, and Southwestern Newfoundland Coastal Zone
Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- November 24 to March 10
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- October 10 to January 24
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
Harlequin Ducks
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Inland Newfoundland Zone
Inland Newfoundland Zone
Long-tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- October 10 to January 24
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 16 to December 31
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Northern Labrador Zone
Northern Labrador Zone
All Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to September 25, for Scoters only
- September 26 to December 16
- December 17 to January 10, for Eiders only
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
Harlequin Ducks
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Western Labrador Zone
Western Labrador Zone
All Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
Harlequin Ducks
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Southern Labrador Zone
Southern Labrador Zone
All Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to October 31, for Scoters only
- November 1 to December 16
- December 17 to February 15, for Eiders only
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
Harlequin Ducks
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Central Labrador Zone
Central Labrador Zone
All Eiders and Scoters, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to October 24, for Scoters only
- October 25 to November 30
- December 1 to December 16, for Scoters only
- December 21 to February 28, for Eiders only
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Common and Red-breasted Mergansers, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6
- Possession limit:
- 12
Ducks (other than Harlequin Ducks, Common and Red‑breasted Mergansers, Long‑tailed Ducks, Eiders and Scoters), combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 6 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
- Possession limit:
- 18 (not more than 1 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye)
Harlequin Ducks
- Open season:
- No open season
- Daily bag limit:
- Not applicable
- Possession limit:
- Not applicable
All geese, combined
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 5
- Possession limit:
- 10
Snipe
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 10
- Possession limit:
- 20
Murre Zone No. 1
Murre Zone No. 1
Murres
- Open season:
- September 1 to December 16
- Daily bag limit:
- 20
- Possession limit:
- 40
Murre Zone No. 2
Murre Zone No. 2
Murres
- Open season:
- October 6 to January 20
- Daily bag limit:
- 20
- Possession limit:
- 40
Murre Zone No. 3
Murre Zone No. 3
Murres
- Open season:
- November 25 to March 10
- Daily bag limit:
- 20
- Possession limit:
- 40
Murre Zone No. 4
Murre Zone No. 4
Murres
- Open season:
- November 3 to January 10
- February 2 to March 10
- Daily bag limit:
- 20
- Possession limit:
- 40
Murre (turr) hunters
This hunt is only open to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. Murres are the only migratory bird that can be legally hunted from a boat that is moving because of motion as a result of its motor or its sails. Any occupant of a boat who shoots or retrieves Murres, or anyone who operates a boat to pursue Murres, is hunting as defined in the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 and is required to hold a valid MGBH Permit and must be a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Hunting hours
South of the 60th parallel, no person shall hunt earlier than half an hour before sunrise or later than half an hour after sunset. North of the 60th parallel, no person shall hunt earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sunset.
Hunting restrictions and requirements
For more information on restrictions and requirements to hunt migratory game birds, please refer to the Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 and/or consult the Migratory game bird hunting web page, which includes a frequently asked questions page.
The Canadian Firearms Act outlines the requirements for the licensing, possession, storage and transportation of firearms. Learn more at RCMP page on Firearms.
Most provinces and territories have additional requirements to hunt and/or carry firearms. Check the provincial/territorial and municipal regulations where you will be hunting. Restrictions such as minimum required distances from residences and businesses for the discharge of firearms may apply.
Buy your MGBH Permit online
You can purchase an electronic MGBH Permit through the Regulatory Services Platform.
Hunters must carry their MGBH Permit with them at all times when hunting or when in possession of unpreserved migratory game birds. Permits obtained online may be presented as an electronic PDF or as a printed copy. A provincial or territorial licence may also be required. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be able to show all required permits to a game officer immediately upon request.
As of the 2027–2028 hunting season, Environment and Climate Change Canada will no longer print physical (paper) copies of the hunting regulation summaries. They will continue to be available online at Hunting regulations for migratory birds: provincial and territorial summaries.
The physical MGBH Permits may be phased out as early as the 2027-2028 hunting season. Hunters will be invited to obtain their MGBH Permit through the Regulatory Services Platform.
Youth Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
The Youth MGBH Permit is an option available to hunters who are minors (under 18 years old on the day the permit is issued). The Youth MGBH Permit and electronic CWHC Stamp are free of charge and can only be obtained through the Regulatory Services Platform.
The Youth MGBH Permit provides young hunters with the opportunity to practice their skills under the supervision of an adult hunter (known as a mentor) and allows them to have their own daily bag and possession limits.
Mentors must possess their own MGBH Permit, must have held a MGBH Permit in a previous year, and may accompany no more than two Youth MGBH Permit holders at a time. Mentors may carry a firearm and may hunt.
Many provinces and territories, have additional requirements and restrictions for hunters who are minors and/or for their mentors.
Enforcement
Federal game officers enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and its associated regulations. This law regulates human activities, such as hunting, that could adversely affect the conservation of migratory birds. Game officers may use warnings, administrative monetary penalties, tickets or prosecutions. Fines and penalties vary depending on the severity of the offence. Individuals found guilty of a summary conviction for a first offence are liable to a fine between $5,000 and $300,000, a maximum imprisonment term of six months, or both.
Crime Stoppers
Report illegal hunting activities, illegal selling of birds or other offences related to migratory birds to Crime Stoppers online or at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Your tip is anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.
Shot
- Lead shot is toxic to wildlife and the environment
- In Newfoundland and Labdraor, the use and possession of shot other than non-toxic shot is prohibited while hunting migratory game birds, except for murres (turrs)
- If a multi-species hunt occurs where murres are being hunted in addition to other migratory game birds (e.g. waterfowl), it is prohibited to possess toxic shot. Hunters can have mixed bird hunts as long as they possess and use only non-toxic shot.
To reduce your exposure to contaminants in meat, make sure, before cooking it, to:
- remove the shot from birds hunted with lead shot
- remove the skin and fat from fish-eating birds
Consultation process and migratory birds regulatory reports
There is a national consultation process which includes a report on the population status of migratory game birds and a proposal report that provides an opportunity to participate in developing the hunting regulations. To learn more, visit Migratory birds regulatory report series.
Report your migratory bird bands
Report a bird with a federal band or color marker online or call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) to leave a message.
Contact us
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Canadian Wildlife Service
Regional office
6 Bruce Street
Mount Pearl NL A1N 4T3
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767
enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
The information presented here is a summary of the law. If there is a discrepancy between the law and this summary, the law prevails.