Certificate and licence: answers to my questions

• What are the prerequisites for hunting?
• How does one obtain the hunter's certificate?
• Hunting licence
• Where to obtain a hunting licence?
• When does a licence expire?
• Can I replace my licence that has been lost, stolen or rendered unusable?
• Types of hunting licences and species concerned
• Come hunt with me!
• Moose: zone licence
• Deadlines for obtaining a moose hunting licence
• Licence categories and rates

What are the prerequisites for hunting?

To hunt in Québec, you must be the holder of a hunting licence. To obtain a licence to hunt with a firearm, crossbow and bow, a resident must be the holder of the appropriate hunter's certificate according to the gear used (except for an initiation licence, see page 7).

It should be noted that the information appearing on the back of the certificates was modified in 2007. Code F no longer allows the holder to hunt with a crossbow; a Code A or B is obligatory to hunt with this weapon.

How does one obtain the hunter's certificate?

To obtain a hunter's certificate, every resident of Québec must be at least 12 years of age, have taken the required training course for the hunting weapon that he intends to use, namely for a firearm (code F), a crossbow (code B), a crossbow and a bow (code A), and have passed the examinations of this course .

The training courses required to obtain a certificate can be taken at any time during the year, except from the weekend of the third full week of September until the weekend of the second full week of November. For more information on these courses, contact an office of the Department or the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs (by telephone at 1 888 523-2863, on its Web site www.fedecp.qc.ca, or via one of its affiliated associations).

Hunting licence

To hunt, a person (young person or adult) must hold and carry an appropriate hunting licence. However, a young person or a student may hunt under an adult person's licence (see Notion of family, age required to hunt and initiation licence on page 8). To obtain a hunting licence for resident, a person must be a Québec resident and hold a valid hunter's certificate bearing a code corresponding to the type of hunting weapon they intend to use, namely code F for a firearm, code B for a crossbow, or code A for a crossbow and a bow (see the exception in the section entitled Initiation licence on page 8). No certificate is required to obtain a licence to snare hares or Eastern cottontail, to hunt Northern leopard frogs, green frogs and bullfrogs or to hunt certain species of small game using a bird of prey.

Moreover, to obtain a hunting licence for wild turkey, every person must hold an attestation certifying that he has taken the wild turkey hunting course. For more information about this course, call the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs, which may be reached at 1 888 523-2863 or at www.fedecp.qc.ca.

To obtain a non-resident's hunting licence, a person must be a non-resident and be at least 12 years of age.

A hunting licence is personal. Every hunting licence must be signed by the issuer and the licence holder. The holder of a hunting licence must write his name, address and date of birth on the back of his licence when one of these elements does not appear on the front of the licence or is inaccurate.

Upon request of a wildlife protection officer or a wildlife protection assistant, every person who is hunting must exhibit his hunting licence. Obtaining the same hunting licence twice is prohibited except under the conditions stipulated in "Can I replace my licence..." (see page 3). However, a person may purchase two licences to hunt white-tailed deer per stay in zone 20 (île d'Anticosti).

The holder of a hunting licence for residents must use the firearm that corresponds to the code mentioned on his hunter's certificate, except for the initiation licence (see page 7).

Where to obtain a hunting licence?

Hunting licences are available from agents who sell licences: they generally include sporting goods, hardware or convenience stores. Licences are also sold by certain outfitters, a few zecs as well as wildlife sanctuaries. To find out the name of an agent in your area, contact a regional office of the Department or consult its Web site at www3.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/wildlife/licence/region.asp.

The federal migratory bird hunting licence is sold at post offices.

When does a licence expire?

A hunting licence expires at the end of the hunting season for the animal for which it was issued or when the transportation coupon(s) have been or should have been removed (see the section affixing of transportation coupons and perforation of licences on page 14). An antlerless deer hunting licence or a moose cow hunting licence expires at the end of the hunting season for the animal for which it was issued. It also expires when it is perforated or should have been or when the transportation coupon has been removed from the regular licence. A small game hunting licence and a licence to hunt small game with a bird of prey expire on the expiry date indicated on the licence.

Can I replace my licence that has been lost, stolen or rendered unusable?

In the event that a licence is lost or stolen or becomes unusable, hunters must obtain a replacement licence for a small fee if they wish to continue hunting. These replacement licences are available from the agents who sell licences authorized by the Department. However, in the case of a winter caribou hunting licence for Zone 22 A (awarded by random draw), a new licence may only be issued by the Service de la réglementation, de la tarification et des permis du Ministère (880, chemin Sainte-Foy, bureau RC-100, Québec (Québec) G1S 4X4; telephone: 418 521-3960).

The "Moose, zone correction" hunting licence cannot be used as a replacement for a moose hunting licence. It is issued solely under the conditions and in the cases stipulated on page 4.

Types of hunting licences and species concerned

Big game

The big game species that may be hunted are caribou, white-tailed deer, moose and black bear. A specific hunting licence exists for each of these species. There may be more than one licence for the same species. These licences are:

• Caribou: There are three different caribou hunting licences, according to the season and the zone. A licence for non-residents is available for every non-resident domiciled in Canada. The licence for Zone 22 A is only available to residents.

The holder, who won the random draw for caribou hunting licences for Zone 22 A, must be present in Zone 22 A in order for the person who is the holder of the licence obtained from this winner to be able to hunt caribou there. By respecting the rules set out in the "Notion of family" section, a young person from 12 to 17 years of age or a student from 18 to 24 years of age, who is the child of the winner holder or his spouse, can use the caribou hunting licence of this winner in the same capacity as the latter. This young person or student must then have in his possession the licence, hunter's certificate, and, in the case of a student, his valid student's card.
• White-tailed deer (except Zone 20, île d'Anticosti): The holder of this licence may also be the holder of an antlerless deer hunting licence as well as a 1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence.
• Antlerless deer (random draw): to obtain this licence, you must register for a random draw. Only residents may hold this licence. Subject to the family measure (see Hunting big game and young people, page 7), this licence is only valid if its holder also has a valid regular white-tailed deer hunting licence.
  During a season when only hunting deer with antlers is permitted, the holder of an antlerless deer hunting licence can only hunt antlerless deer in the zone, part of a zone or territory that is indicated on the licence.
  In wildlife sanctuaries and outfitter establishments with exclusive rights, special conditions may apply (see Sharing of the antlerless deer hunting licence and Hunting white-tailed deer in a group).
  A person may hold both an antlerless deer hunting licence and a 1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence (see Bag limits page 13).
  For more information, consult the pamphlet that accompanies the registration forms for the random draw held in the spring and that indicates the places where these licences are attributed.
  
• 1^st harvest antlerless deer (random draw): The "1^st harvest antlerless deer licence" includes a transportation coupon. It is issued by random draw in only a few zone parts and is only valid for the zone part indicated on the licence. The winner in the random draw for such a licence will have to obtain it from a hunting licence distributor at the stipulated cost.

This licence may only be used if its holder also possesses a valid regular white-tailed deer hunting licence, i.e. one from which the transportation coupon has not been removed. When the transportation coupon is removed from the regular licence, the "1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence" is considered to have expired.

The holder of this licence may thus harvest an antlerless deer in the part of a zone indicated on the "1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence" and attach the transportation coupon that is part of this licence. Afterwards, he can bag, under his regular hunting licence, a second deer in a zone (with the exception of Zone 20) where hunting is allowed by respecting the applicable regulations and by attaching to the second deer the transportation coupon taken from the regular licence.

If the holder of this "1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence" first kills a deer with antlers in the zone indicated on his 1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence or a deer (with or without antlers) in another zone, he will have to affix the transportation coupon from this regular licence to this animal and, consequently, will lose his privilege to harvest a second white-tailed deer.

A young person from 12 to 17 years of age or a student from 18 to 24 years of age who has in his possession his valid student's card can hunt under a "1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence" according to the terms and conditions mentioned in the section "Hunting big game and young people" on page 7.
To find out the parts of zones where the "1^st harvest antlerless deer hunting licence" will be issued, please consult the pamphlet that accompanies the registration forms for Sépaq's random draw, which is held every spring (see page 18) and which indicates the places where these licences will be attributed.

The "Antlerless deer hunting licence" which, in past years, was normally issued in certain zones will continue to be issued in the zones indicated in the random draw pamphlet. There is no change to this licence which, accompanied with the regular white-tailed deer hunting licence, authorizes the bagging of only one white-tailed deer with or without antlers during a season when ordinarily only the bagging of deer with antlers is permitted. The "Antlerless deer hunting licence" does not entitle the holder to bag two white-tailed deer.
The same person may be the holder of an "Antlerless deer hunting licence" and a "1^st  harvest antlerless deer hunting licence" (see Bag limits on page 13).
For more information, consult the pamphlet accompanying the registration forms for the random draw held in the spring (see Random draw, page 18) and which indicates the places where these licences are granted.
• White-tailed deer zone 20 (île d'Anticosti) and white-tailed deer antlerless zone 20 (île d'Anticosti): these licences are valid for zone 20 only.
  
• Moose: this licence is valid for only one zone, as well as in all wildlife sanctuaries, outfitter establishments with exclusive rights and zecs where this hunting is on a limited-access basis (see section Moose: zone licence, page 4).
  
• Moose, zone correction: Is only intended for hunters whose zone number listed on the licence is incorrect (see section Moose: zone licence, page 4). Using this licence to change hunting zones is prohibited.
  
• Moose cow (random draw): to obtain this licence, you must register for the random draw. Only residents may hold this licence. Subject to the family measure, (see Big game hunting and young people), this licence is only valid if its holder also has a valid regular licence.
  This licence only exists for zone 1 or for certain wildlife territories (wildlife sanctuary or zec). It should be noted that the licences for hunting moose cows of zone 1 cannot be used in a wildlife sanctuary; however, they can be used in a zec (except zec Casault) or outfitter of this zone. Consequently, a licence identified for a wildlife sanctuary or a zec must be used on the territory for which it was issued; it is not valid throughout the hunting zone. In zone 1, and in the territories where this licence is required, the holder of this licence may hunt moose cow. New conditions of use have been implemented in wildlife sanctuaries.
  For more information, consult the pamphlet (available in May) that accompanies the registration forms for the random draw held in the spring and that indicates the places where these licences are attributed.
  
• Black bear: this licence is valid for hunting black bear in spring and, in a few zones, in the fall .

Wild turkey

Hunting for wild turkey is only permitted in spring. Hunting is permitted from half an hour before sunrise until noon. To be able to hunt for this species , a person must hold a wild turkey hunting licence and an attestation that the person took the wild turkey hunting course, and must have this licence and this attestation in his possession (see initiation licence on page 7). To obtain information on this course, please contact the Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs at 418 878-8999 or at 1 888 523-2863. Only residents, holders of this attestation, may obtain this licence.

Only turkeys with a beard may be hunted and the bag limit is one turkey per year. A hunter who bags a wild turkey must immediately affix to the turkey the transportation coupon that is part of his licence and register the kill within 48 hours of leaving the hunting area.

Wild turkeys may be kept in captivity without a licence and released in the wild. However, it is forbidden to release a wild turkey in zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. It is also forbidden to capture a wild turkey to keep it in captivity.

Small game

The small game species that may be hunted are the following birds and mammals: red-winged blackbird, american crow, european starling, ruffed grouse, rock ptarmigan, willow ptarmigan, house sparrow, gray partridge, common grackle, spruce grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, brown-headed cowbird, coyote, eastern cottontail, arctic hare, snowshoe hare, wolf, woodchuck, raccoon, red fox as well as the migratory birds considered game according to the 1994 Migratory Birds Convention Act.

Small game also includes quail, northern bobwhite, pheasant, francolin, rock partridge, choukar partridge, red-legged partidge, rock dove and guinea fowl which also may be kept in captivity without a licence and be released in nature.

The licences required to hunt small game are:

• Small game (firearm, crossbow and bow): hares and rabbit may also be snared under a licence for residents.
• Migratory birds: to hunt migratory birds, a person must hold a federal migratory bird hunting licence and a Québec small game hunting licence. He must have both these licences on hand when hunting.
• Hares and eastern cottontail (snare): the hunter's certificate is not required to obtain this licence. Only residents may hold this licence.
• Hunting small game with a bird of prey: Certain small game species may now be hunted with a bird of prey. No hunter's certificate is required to obtain this licence. Subject to the notion of family, a licence is required for every person who hunts with a bird of prey, as is indicated under the heading Hunting with birds of prey on page 19. This licence is available from the Department's regional offices.

Frogs

Only northern leopard frogs, green frogs and bullfrogs may be hunted. A frog hunting licence is required to hunt these animals but the hunter's certificate is not required to obtain this licence. Only residents may hold this licence.

Species protected at all times

It is prohibited to hunt for species for which no licence is issued and for which no season or hunting method is specified, in particular birds of prey and reptiles (snakes and turtles).

Moose: zone licence

A moose hunting licence, which is generally valid for only one zone, is also valid in all the wildlife sanctuaries, all the outfitter establishments with exclusive rights (see section Outfitter establishments, page 22) and all zecs where that hunting is on a limited-access basis.

Before signing his licence, it is the hunter's responsibility to make sure that the zone number that he chose as well as the purchase date are correctly indicated on the licence.

In most zones, restrictions apply with respect to the use of the licence according to the date on which it was bought (see table below). A person may however purchase a licence at any time to participate in limited-access hunting in a wildlife sanctuary, on the territory of an outfitter establishment with exclusive hunting rights or in a limited-access sector of a zec. The person may then have the zone number of his choice entered on the licence. After having hunted on one of these three types of territories, this licence-holder may, if the hunt was unsuccessful, continue hunting in the zone indicated on his licence.

When the zone number indicated on a regular moose hunting licence is incorrect, the holder of this licence can obtain a "Moose, zone correction" hunting licence, which is issued only once a year, provided that the holder meets the following conditions:

1. if he is the holder of a hunter's certificate bearing code "F", the issue date of the incorrect licence must not have authorized the holder to hunt moose during the firearm hunting season or the muzzle-loading firearm hunting season in the wrong zone;
2. if he is the holder of a hunter's certificate bearing code "A" or if he is a resident who holds an initiation licence for moose, the issue date of the incorrect licence must not have authorized the holder to hunt moose during any of the hunting seasons in the wrong zone;
3. if he is the holder of a hunter's certificate bearing code "B", the issue date of the incorrect licence must not have authorized the holder to hunt moose during the crossbow and bow hunting season, during the firearm hunting season or during the muzzle-loading firearm season in the wrong zone;
4. if he is a non-resident; the issue date of the incorrect licence must not have authorized the holder to hunt moose during any of the hunting seasons in the wrong zone.

If the "Moose, zone correction" hunting licence is requested for a zone or part of a zone where the moose hunting with firearms season is open, this licence may only be used if the issue date of the wrong licence, for residents, is before the date when this hunting season opens in the zone for which the "Moose, zone correction" hunting licence is being requested.

To obtain a "Moose, zone correction" hunting licence, the holder of the regular moose hunting licence must not have used it to take part in a hunting activity in a wildlife sanctuary, an outfitter establishment with exclusive rights or a limited-access zec. Moreover, when the holder of a regular moose hunting licence whose zone is incorrect is also the holder of an authorization for a handicapped person to hunt with a crossbow during a bow hunting season in the wrong zone, this holder is considered to have been authorized to hunt during the bow hunting season in that zone.

© Gouvernement du Québec, 2012