Delta Waterfowl Applauds Regulatory Amendments by Canadian Wildlife Service
Season changes expand opportunities for Canada geese, cackling geese, and sandhill cranes
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MANITOBA — The Canadian Wildlife Service today released the approved biennial amendments to the Migratory Bird Regulations for the 2026-2028 seasons. These changes will increase hunting opportunities in four provinces across the country.
“We’re grateful for the dedicated efforts of Canadian Wildlife Service staff in providing expanded hunting opportunities,” said Brian McRae, Delta Waterfowl’s director of government affairs for Canada. “Aligning season dates, expanding bag limits, and providing new opportunities are meaningful changes to both enhance the experience of hunters today and ensure the future of hunting tomorrow.”
A summary of the regulation changes:
Canada and Cackling Geese
Temporary bag limit restrictions have been removed in parts of Quebec and Ontario, returning the daily limit to five birds. A seven-day Canada and cackling goose hunting season is added in several southern Ontario wildlife management units beginning on the fourth Saturday in February to the following Friday. This replaces the former late season provided to areas that didn’t allow Sunday hunting.
In Nova Scotia’s Zone 2, the regular goose season will start seven days later, beginning on Oct. 23 and close on Jan. 22, coinciding with the end of duck season. Pushing the seasons back has been desired by most hunters to take advantage of later migrations.
Eastern Sandhill Cranes
A new crane season will open in districts C and D in Quebec and portions of central and northern Ontario this fall. It will be a two-week season with a daily bag limit of one bird. This will be open for Canadian residents only. Additionally, hunting may only take place on farmland in the central and northern districts of Ontario and both Quebec districts. The Eastern population of sandhill cranes is well above objectives, and harvest from these new seasons are expected to be minimal. These birds are also hunted in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Mid-Continent Sandhill Cranes
The geographic hunting area for Sandhill Crane hunting in Alberta is expanded into Provincial WMUs 247, 336, 501 to 510, 514, 515, and 841.
Greater Snow Geese
Based on indications of recent population declines, both Ontario and Quebec will implement a more restrictive spring snow goose season beginning in 2027. The daily bag will be reduced from 20 to 12, and the seasons will be shortened from the original March 1 to May 31. In much of Quebec, the season will run from April 10 to May 18, while in Ontario it will be from April 1 to April 30.
‘We appreciate the important work of CWS in monitoring populations and providing the framework of our cherished hunting seasons,” said Jim Fisher, vice president of Canadian policy for Delta. “Their efforts to responsibly follow the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation are a benefit to migratory game birds and those that dedicate their time to hunting them. We look forward to the sale of the Canadian duck stamp beginning on Aug. 1.”
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit our website.
For more information, contact Jim Fisher.