Canada Improves Waterfowl Regulations

Delta Waterfowl is applauding several changes to Canada's waterfowl hunting regulations.

"Delta recognizes the staff at the Canadian Wildlife Service for dedication to not only to population monitoring, but also for modifying regulations to help ensure the future of hunting," wrote Jim Fisher, Delta's director of conservation.

Namely Delta believes the tweaks will improve hunter retention/recruitment north of the border, but traveling American hunters should also enjoy the updated rules. Here are some of the key changes:

• With the addition of Saskatchewan and Labrador, all Canadian provinces now offer youth waterfowl hunting days.

• Western Canada: Electronic calls and any decoy combination now permitted in any spring or fall snow goose season; in Manitoba, non-residents can hunt geese all day throughout the season; in Alberta, goldeneye limit for non-residents moves to two daily.

• Ontario: Black ducks may be hunted throughout entire season; black duck bag limit increased; no possession limits for Canada geese or snows; electronic calls and any decoy combination now permitted in any spring or fall snow goose season; mourning dove seasons established for central and southern districts.

• Quebec: Seasons for ducks and geese extended in many districts; increased black duck limit in many districts; no possession limits for Canada geese or snows; electronic calls and any decoy combination now permitted in any spring or fall snow goose season.

• Maritimes: Seasons extended for much of region; black duck limits increased for early season in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island; possession limits for most ducks increased to three times the daily bag for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland (excluding Labrador) and Prince Edward Island; new early Canada goose season in Prince Edward Island; removal of "farmland only" restriction for early goose seasons in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; Barrow's goldeneye limits reduced to one bird per season.