Hunting seasons
2024-2025 hunting seasons for white-tailed deer
Notice
Hunting rules for 2024 are subject to change.
Hunting dates are established based on the zone where hunting is permitted, the type of weapon used, the sex of the animal and its maturity.
Changes to the authorized periods and segments may be made at any time as required. It is your responsibility to abide by the terms and conditions in effect before you practice your activity. You can contact the Ministère’s customer service department for confirmation.
Specifications on white-tailed deer hunting zones
In wildlife reserves, some ZECs, and some outfitters with exclusive rights, the hunting rules for white-tailed deer may differ from those in the hunting zone in which they are located. Consult the specific rules for these territories and contact the person or group responsible for the territory in question to find out which rules apply.
In the Macpès territory (zone 2), white-tailed deer hunting with crossbow and bow only is permitted from October 5 to 18 in 2024, and from October 4 to 17 in 2025.
If you hunt in zones 6 North and 6 South, you must comply with the antler restriction (AR) standard for deer with antlers (7 cm or more).
Zone 13 Southwest is defined as the portion of zone 13 located south of the following boundary: route 101, chemin Kipawa and the R0819 forest road. The harvesting rules for white-tailed deer in zone 13 Southwest apply to the Dumoine, Maganasipi and Restigo ZECs.
For hunting white-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more), hunting zones do not include islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in these zones.
Hunting of deer with or without antlers is permitted on the islands in the following zones:
- Zone 2 East: île du Bic, île Saint‑Barnabé;
- Zone 2 West: île aux Lièvres, île Verte;
- Zone 3 East: Grosse‑Île, île aux Grues, île aux Oies, île Patience, île de la Sottise, île Brothers, île Longue, île du Cheval, île Ronde, île au Canot, île à Deux Têtes, île Sainte-Marguerite, battures aux Loups Marins;
- Zone 27 East: île aux Coudres;
- Zone 27 West: île d’Orléans, île au Ruau, île Madame.
To find out what to do before, during and after hunting white-tailed deer, refer to the rules for this species.
Crossbow and bow hunting seasons
Zone where hunting is permitted | Age and sex | 2024 hunting season | 2025 hunting season |
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1 North, 1 South, 2 East, 2 West, 3 East (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in theses zones), 9 East, 9 West, 10 East, 11 East, 11 West, 15 West | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | October 5 to October 18 | October 4 to October 17 |
15 East, 26 East, 26 West, 27 East, 27 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in these zones), 28 | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 9 to November 14 | November 8 to November 13 |
3 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in this zone), 4, 5 East, 5 West, 7 North, 7 South, 8 East, 8 North, 8 South, 10 West, 12, 13 Southwest | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | October 5 to October 18 | October 4 to October 17 |
6 North, 6 South | White-tailed deer with antlers (antler restriction standard) or without antlers | October 5 to October 18 | October 4 to October 17 |
All islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in zones 2 East, 2 West, 3 East, 3 West, 27 West, 27 West | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | November 9 to November 14 | November 8 to November 13 |
Territory of the montagne de Rigaud in zone 8 North | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | October 19 to October 23 | October 18 to October 22 |
Territory of the montagne de Rigaud in zone 8 North | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 9 to November 24 | November 8 to November 23 |
Shotgun, muzzle loading firearm, crossbow and bow hunting seasons
Zone where hunting is permitted | Age and sex | 2024 hunting season | 2025hunting season |
---|---|---|---|
3 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in this zone), 4, 5 East, 7 North, 7 South, 10 East, 10 West | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | October 19 to October 23 | October 18 to October 22 |
15 East, 26 East, 26 West, 27 East, 27 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in this zone), 28 | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 15 to November 17 | November 14 to November 16 |
8 East, 8 North excluding the territory of the montagne de Rigaud | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | October 19 to October 23 | October 18 to October 22 |
6 North, 6 South | White-tailed deer with antlers (antler restriction standard) or without antlers | October 19 to October 23 | October 18 to October 22 |
All islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in zones 2 East, 2 West, 3 East, 3 West, 27 East, 27 West | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | November 15 to November 17 | November 14 to November 16 |
5 West, 8 South | Antlerless white-tailed deer or with antlers of 7 cm or less | October 19 to October 23 | October 18 to October 22 |
Firearms (rifle, shotgun, muzzle loading firearm), crossbow and bow hunting seasons
Zone where hunting is permitted | Age and sex | 2024 hunting season | 2025 hunting season |
---|---|---|---|
1 North, 1 South, 2 East (except the townships of Macpès and Duquesne and all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in this zone) | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 9 to November 17 | November 8 to November 16 |
2 West, 3 East, 3 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of pont Pierre-Laporte included in this zone), 4, 5 East, 5 West, 7 North, 7 South, 8 East, 8 North excluding the territory of the montagne de Rigaud, 8 South, 9 East, 9 West, 10 East, 10 West, 11 East, 11 West, 12, 13 Southwest, 15 West | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 9 to November 24 | November 8 to November 23 |
6 North, 6 South | White-tailed deer with antlers (antler restriction standard) | November 9 to November 24 | November 8 to November 23 |
20 (except western part of zone 20) | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | August 1 to August 31 | August 1 to August 31 |
20 (except western part of zone 20) | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | September 1 to December 24 | September 1 to December 24 |
Hunting periods for novice hunters only
These dates are for participants to the deer hunting initiation weekend.
Gear: Crossbow and bow
Zone where hunting is permitted | Age and sex | 2024 hunting season | 2025 hunting season |
---|---|---|---|
All islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in zones 2 East, 2 West, 3 East, 3 West, 27 East, 27 West | White-tailed deer with or without antlers | November 2 to November 3 | November 1 to November 2 |
Territory of the montagne de Rigaud in zone 8 North, 15 East, 26 East, 26 West, 27 East, 27 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in these zones), 28 | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 2 to November 3 | November 1 to November 2 |
Gear: Firearms, crossbow and bow
Zone where hunting is permitted | Age and sex | 2024 hunting season | 2025 hunting season |
---|---|---|---|
1 North, 1 South, 2 East (except the townships of Macpès and Duquesne), 2 West, 3 East, 3 West (except all islands and islets of the St. Lawrence River downstream of the pont Pierre-Laporte included in these areas), 4, 5 East, 5 West, 7 North, 7 South, 8 East, 8 North excluding the montagne de Rigaud, 8 South, 9 East, 9 West, 10 East, 10 West, 11 East, 11 West, 12, 13 Southwest, 15 West | White-tailed deer with antlers (7 cm or more) | November 2 to November 3 | November 1 to November 2 |
6 North, 6 South | White-tailed deer with antlers (antler restriction standard) | November 2 to November 3 | November 1 to November 2 |
All hunting dates for white-tailed deer
Printable version.
Regulatory Information
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -
Free phone line: 1-844-523-6738
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Last update: February 21, 2024