2026-2027 hunting seasons for white-tailed deer

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.

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 3 to 16 in 2026, and from October 2 to 15 in 2027.

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: 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.

These dates are for participants to the deer hunting initiation weekend.

Gear: Crossbow and bow

Gear: Firearms, crossbow and bow