2026-2028 hunting seasons for small game
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.
Hunting may be prohibited in certain territories within a given zone. If it is permitted, the conditions may differ from those of the hunting zone in which those territories are located. You will need to communicate with the person or group responsible for the territories in question to find out the rules.
In the Macpès territory (zone 2), small game hunting with a crossbow or bow, hare and eastern cottontail snaring, small game hunting with a bird of prey are permitted, but hunting with a firearm is prohibited.
To find out what to do before, during and after hunting small game, refer to the rules for this species.
To find out the rules applicable from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026, consult the regulations (PDF 265 Kb) in force for that period.
Eastern cottontail, Arctic hare and snowshoe hare
In the Îles-de-la-Madeleine (zone 21), hunting for snowshoe hares is prohibited. However, on Île Havre Tobert, a short hunting season takes place from November 14 to December 6, 2026, and from November 20 to December 12, 2027. For more information, please contact the regional office (in French only).
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 (except the Îles-de-la-Madeleine), 26, 27, 28 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zone 17. | From September 19, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From September 18, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 19 South, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow | From September 12, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From September 11, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 22, 23, 24 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow | From September 12, 2026 to April 30, 2027 | From September 11, 2027 to April 30, 2028 |
| Île-du-Havre-Aubert | Firearms, air rifles and bow | From November 14 to December 6, 2026 | From November 20 to December 12, 2027 |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 (except the Îles-de-la-Madeleine), 26, 27 (except Île d’Orléans), 28 | Snare In zone 17, the use of snares to harvest snowshoe hare is permitted only in non-Indigenous establishments and in the vicinity of those establishments. | From September 19, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From September 18, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 19 South, 29 | Snare | From September 12, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From September 11, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
Coyote and wolf
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 26, 27 | Firearms, crossbow and bow | From October 25, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From October 25, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 21, 28 | Firearms, crossbow and bow | From October 18, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From October 18, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 19 South, 29 | Firearms, crossbow and bow | From October 18, 2026 to April 15, 2027 | From October 18, 2027 to April 15, 2028 |
Woodchuck
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19 south, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Firearms, crossbow and bow | All year | All year |
Raccoon
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Firearms, crossbow and bow | From October 25, 2026 to March 1, 2027 | From October 25, 2027 to March 1, 2028 |
| 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | .22 rifle with rimfire cartridges, at night, with dogs | From October 25, 2026 to December 15, 2026 | From October 25, 2027 to December 15, 2027 |
Red foxes, silver foxes, cross foxes
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,8 | Firearms, crossbow and bow | From October 25, 2026 to March 1, 2027 | From October 25, 2027 to March 1, 2028 |
Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse and sharp-tailed grouse
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 (except Île Verte), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zone 17. | From September 19, 2026 to January 15, 2027 | From September 18, 2027 to January 15, 2028 |
| 19 South, 22, 23, 24, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow | From September 12, 2026 to January 15, 2027 | From September 11, 2027 to January 15, 2028 |
Grey partridge
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 South, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24. | From September 19, 2026 to November 15, 2026 | From September 18, 2027 to November 15, 2027 |
Rock ptarmigan and willow ptarmigan
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zone 17. | From September 19, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From September 18, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 19 South, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow | From September 12, 2026 to March 31, 2027 | From September 11, 2027 to March 31, 2028 |
| 22, 23, 24 | Firearms, air rifles and bow | From September 12, 2026 to April 30, 2027 | From September 11, 2027 to April 30, 2028 |
Red-winged blackbird, American crow, European starling, house sparrow, common grackle, brown-headed cowbird
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18,19 South, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24. | July 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 | July 1, 2027 to April 30, 2028 |
Quail, northern bobwhite, pheasant, francolin, rock partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge and guinea fowl
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 South, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24. | August 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 | August 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027 |
Training and competition activities for hunting dogs, using quail, northern bobwhite, pheasant, francolin, rock partridge, chukar partridge, red-legged partridge, rock dove, and guinea fowl
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 South, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24. | All year | All year |
Rock dove
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026-2027 hunting season | 2027-2028 hunting season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 (except île Verte), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 South, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29 | Firearms, air rifles, crossbow and bow The use of a crossbow is prohibited in zones 17, 22, 23 and 24. | All year | All year |
Migratory birds
| Zone where hunting is permitted | Gear | 2026‑2027 hunting season |
|---|---|---|
| In zones, ZECs and wildlife reserves | Firearms, crossbow and bow | Refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations brochure from Environment and Climate Change Canada. |
All hunting dates for small game
Printable version.
Biodiversity, Wildlife and Parks – Client Services
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Regulatory information: 1-877-346-6763
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Last update: January 16, 2026