Take part in the 2023 white-tailed deer hunting introductory weekend

Registration is not required to participate but you need to make sure that you are eligible. See the eligibility requirements.

The introductory weekend allows novices to hunt white-tailed deer with a guide. The purpose of the event is to encourage hunting and foster transfers of knowledge from seasoned hunters. 

The introductory weekend will take place on November 4^th and 5^th, 2023. These dates have been added to the usual hunting calendar and are reserved for new hunters.

Since 2022, registration is not required to participate in the event. However, all participants must comply with the applicable conditions and hunting rules. 

To take part in the introductory weekend, you must be a resident of Québec.

You must also match one of the following profiles:

• young certified hunter: You must be between 12 and 17 years of age at the time of the activity. You must also have the appropriate hunter’s certificate for the weapon you intend to use.

• holder of an authorization number from anintroductory white-tailed deer hunting licence: this authorization number will allow you to obtain a hunting licence at any sales outlet in Québec. You can only apply once in your life. 
  
  If you have an authorization number issued in 2023 or before and have never purchased a hunting licence, you may use it to purchase, notably, a white-tailed deer hunting licence.
  
  If you have an authorization number issued in 2023 and you have already purchased a licence to hunt a species other than white-tailed deer, you may use the same authorization number to purchase a white-tailed deer hunting licence.
  
  If you have never requested an authorization number and you will be at least 12 years old by November 3^rd, 2023, you can obtain an authorization number by calling the ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs:
  
  Québec (city) and the surrounding area: 418-521-3905
  Elsewhere in Québec (toll-free): 1-866-424-2773

• Newly certified hunter: you are 18 years old and over and you became a newly certified hunter in 2022. You successfully completed the training course to obtain your hunter’s certificate (with an “A”, “B” or “F” code) between January 1 and December 31^st, 2022.

To learn the steps required to participate in the weekend or to verify your eligibility on the basis of your profile, see the flowchart (PDF 193 Kb).

While you are hunting, you must carry with you your regular or additional white-tailed deer hunting licence for the hunting zone where you are hunting. 

If you are between 12 and 24 years of age and have a valid student card, you may hunt under an adult’s white-tailed deer hunting licence.

Anyone who has had their hunter’s certificate revoked in the past and has received a new certificate in 2022 is not eligible for the deer hunting introductory weekend.

Novice hunters must comply with the following rules.

To hunt with a bow or crossbow

A young hunter between 12 and 15 years of age who holds a hunter’s certificate authorizing hunting with these weapons must be with a guide. 

To hunt with a firearm

A young hunter between 12 and 17 years of age who holds a hunter’s certificate authorizing hunting with a firearm must be with a guide. Other obligations must be met under federal Firearms Act.

For someone who has an authorization number from an introductory white-tailed deer hunting licence

You must be accompanied by a person who resides in Québec, at least 25 years of age and who holds a valid hunter’s certificate appropriate to the weapon used. In addition, you must be the sole novice hunter that the guide is accompanying. 

For new certified hunters in 2021

You do not have to be accompanied to hunt with a bow or crossbow if you are at least 16 years old or to hunt with a firearm if you are at least 18 years old. However, it is recommended to hunt with a guide to encourage the transfer of knowledge.

To be a guide, you must be a resident of Québec and be at least 18 years of age (or 25 if you are guiding someone with an authorization number from an introductory white-tailed deer hunting licence). You must also hold a valid hunter’s certificate for the firearm that will be used by the novice hunter you are guiding.

During the introductory weekend, no guide may use a weapon or have one in their possession.

Also, you can guide only one novice hunter if he or she holds an authorization number from an introductory white-tailed deer hunting licence. 

White-tailed deer hunting rules during the introductory weekend for novice hunters are set out by zone. In addition, hunters must comply with the game hunting regulations.

Gear: Crossbow and bow

Gear: Firearms, crossbow and bow

The Sépaq wildlife reserves  do not offer the introductory weekend on their territory, but they do offer several options for hunting enthusiasts to stimulate the next generation throughout the season.

As for outfitters, see with the ones you are interested in to find out if they offer deer hunting packages during the introductory weekend .

Finally, it is possible to go hunting on the territory of a ZEC offering a daily right to hunt white-tailed deer during the introductory weekend. Check with the ZEC you plan to visit to find out how it works before travelling.

We invite novice hunters to follow these tips for a safe, responsible and respectful white-tailed deer hunting (PDF 5.27 Mb).

A number of antlerless deer hunting licences will be issued through a random draw in June 2023. A number of these licences will be issued to novice hunters in the three possible categories: 12- to 17-year-olds with a hunter’s certificate, holders of a hunting introduction authorization number, and new hunters certified in 2022. These new hunters will be able to use their special antlerless deer hunting licence during the introductory weekend.

A random draw licence allows the holder to kill one antlerless deer (female or fawn) in the hunting zone or territory specified on the licence. In addition, it is possible to use an antlerless deer hunting licence belonging to an immediate family member.