Hunting Seasons in Quebec, Canada 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 Quebec hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to waterfowl. Introduction Quebec’s vast boreal forests, Laurentian mountains and St. Lawrence lowlands host premier deer seasons, moose hunts, black bear excursions and waterfowl wingshooting. With over 80 wildlife management zones (ZECs, outfitter territories, public lands), Quebec’s “Guide de chasse” (valid Apr 1 2024 – Mar 31 2026) offers detailed provincial regulations, season windows and gear rules to plan an ethical, compliant 2025–26 hunt What Is There to Hunt in Quebec? Big Game: Whitetail deer, moose, black bear, caribou (select zones) Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare, wild turkey Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, dove (federal permit required) Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, wolf, fox, beaver, muskrat Quebec’s mosaic of habitats ensures year‑round opportunity—from spring turkey to late‑fall duck season. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Quebec? Unprotected species such as coyote and fox may be taken any time on private land with landowner consent; public‑land hunts require a small‑game or predator tag and must comply with zone‑specific restrictions. Always verify zone‑by‑zone regulations online before off‑season predator control. Quebec Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Oct 1 – Nov 15 Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 12 – Nov 30 Licence: One adult tag per zone; antler‑point restrictions apply Moose Archery: Sep 15 – Oct 31 Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 1 – Oct 31 Licence: Draw for most zones; cow hunts prohibited in Zone 26 quebec.ca Black Bear Spring: Apr 1 – Jun 15 Fall: Sep 1 – Oct 31 Licence: One bear tag per hunter; cub harvest prohibited Caribou (Woodland) Rifle: Oct 1 – Oct 15 (Zones 14, 15, 17 only) Licence: Strict LE draw; limited quota Note: Detailed zone‑by‑zone calendars (weapon type, sex, maturity) are published biennially; check “Périodes de chasse” for updates Quebec Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Birds & Small Game: Ruffed/Spruce Grouse: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 5) Snowshoe Hare: Sep 1 – Mar 31 (daily limit 3) Wild Turkey: Apr 1 – May 15; Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 1; spring draw) Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks/Geese: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 5 ducks; 5 geese) Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 15) Requirements: Federal Migratory Game Bird Permit & Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered or antlerless per zone Moose: 1 per season (where drawn) Black Bear: 1 per season Caribou: 1 per draw tag Wild Turkey: 1 per licence period Grouse: 5 daily; possession 10 Snowshoe Hare: 3 daily; possession 6 Ducks/Geese: 5 daily; possession 15 Mourning Dove: 15 daily; possession 45 Coyote/Fox: no limit on private land; zone regulations apply License & Tags Information for Quebec Hunters (2025–26) Residence (Québec) Licence: $62.71; individual big‑game tag $23.24/species Non‑Resident Licence: $145.71; tags $65.24/species; draw fee $9.08 Additional Permits: Federal Migratory Bird Permit & conservation stamp (free; mandatory) Draw application (big game, caribou) May 30 – Jun 16, 2025 Союз агропроизводителей Hunter Education: Certificate from Quebec Hunter Education Program or equivalent mandatory Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Bow: Compound, recurve, longbow; crossbows allowed by special permit only; broadhead cut diameter ≥ 7/8″. Rifle: Centrefire calibres ≥ .24 cal; straight‑wall calibres restricted in select zones; slug‑only shotgun permitted where specified. Muzzleloader: .40 cal or larger, patched round ball or conical bullet; approved ignition systems only; single‑projectile conversions only. Regulations & Resources Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset Zone Maps & Calendars: “Périodes de chasse” PDF for 2024–26 valid Apr 1 2024 – Mar 31 2026 In‑Season Updates: See “Nouvelles règles de chasse” (last updated May 27 2025) quebec.ca Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours via online portal or by phone Special Areas: Outfitters (ZECs), wildlife reserves and parks require separate access permits Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and licence requirements on the official Quebec “Périodes de chasse” webpage to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Quebec Government: https://www.quebec.ca/chasse-sportive/periodes-limites With clear season windows, zone‑specific bag limits and complete licence details, you’re ready to plan your 2025–26 Quebec hunt. Consult official calendars, prepare thoroughly and experience Quebec’s unrivalled hunting heritage.