British Columbia has a diverse array of game birds that can be hunted during regulated hunting seasons. There are several factors to consider when hunting birds in BC, including required licenses, season dates, regional restrictions, and daily limits. This comprehensive guide will provide an overview of common game birds that can legally be hunted in BC, as well as key rules and regulations for bird hunting in the province.
Licenses and Permits Required for Bird Hunting in BC
All bird hunters in British Columbia require a set of mandatory licenses and permits. These include:
- Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) – All firearm owners in Canada must have a valid PAL license. The PAL serves as a hunting license in BC.
- Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit – Required for hunting ducks, geese, coots, snipe, and other listed migratory birds. Available from Environment Canada.
- Provincial Hunting License – Required for hunting grouse, pheasant, quail, partridge, ptarmigan, and turkey. Available from the BC government.
- Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp – Required for hunting migratory birds in addition to the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit. Available from Environment Canada.
- Species License – Separate hunting licenses required for wild turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, and bobwhite quail hunting.
- Regional and Provincial Park Use Permits – Potentially required for hunting in regulated parks and conservation areas.
Failure to possess valid licenses can result in significant fines and penalties. Hunters should ensure they have all required paperwork before going afield after birds in BC.
Common Game Birds in British Columbia
There are a wide variety of game birds that inhabit BC during hunting seasons. The most popular and plentiful game bird species include:
- Mallard
- Green-winged Teal
- Ring-necked Pheasant
- Ruffed Grouse
- Spruce Grouse
- Blue Grouse
- Willow Ptarmigan
- Rock Ptarmigan
- Gray Partridge
- Chukar
- California Quail
- Turkey
Other less common but huntable species include scaup, wigeon, goldeneye, scoter, long-tailed duck, harlequin, woodcock, snipe, band-tailed pigeon, and mourning dove.
Waterfowl
Waterfowl like ducks and geese are popular game birds in BC wetlands and marshes. Mallards and green-winged teal are abundant dabbling ducks, while diving ducks like scaup and ring-necked ducks also provide hunting opportunities. Canada geese and white-fronted geese are the most common geese. early season goose hunts target resident birds, while migrants arrive later in fall.
Upland Game Birds
Upland game birds frequent agricultural fields, forests, and brushy habitats. Ring-necked pheasants are an introduced species found mainly in the southern interior. Ruffed, spruce and blue grouse inhabit forests across BC’s mountains and foothills. Gray partridge and chukar prefer arid grasslands and shrublands. California quail live in the Okanagan valley.
Ptarmigan
Willow and rock ptarmigan are tundra bird species that turn white in winter. They are hunted in alpine areas in northern and eastern BC. Ptarmigan hunting is very weather dependent, as birds descend to lower elevations during cold weather.
Wild Turkey
The introduced wild turkey has prospered in the forests of southeastern BC. Gobblers and hens are hunted in spring and fall seasons around communities like Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, and Sparwood.
Season Dates and Regional Restrictions
Bird hunting seasons in BC generally run from early September through late December. Exact season dates vary by species and region. It is critical to consult the annual BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis before hunting any game birds.
Key items to note are:
- Waterfowl seasons generally open in early September and run through December.
- Interior upland game bird seasons open around September 1st. Coastal areas don’t open until October 1st.
- Ptarmigan hunting runs September 1st to December 15th in most regions.
- Wild turkey seasons are in spring (gobblers only) and fall (either sex).
- Some regions have shorter seasons or area closures, so check regulations carefully.
Maps and zone listings indicate any regional variations. For example, pheasants can’t be hunted on Vancouver Island or in the Lower Mainland. Grouse season is closed early in parts of Region 2.
2021 Bird Hunting Season Dates
To illustrate hunting season variations, here are some key game bird season dates for 2021:
| Species | Region | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | Province-wide | Sept 18 | Dec 23 |
| Geese | Province-wide | Sept 1 | Dec 23 |
| Pheasant | Interior | Oct 1 | Nov 30 |
| Ruffed Grouse | Region 2 | Sept 10 | Nov 15 |
| Spruce Grouse | Region 7A | Sept 10 | Dec 3 |
Daily Limits and Possession Restrictions
Daily bag and possession limits control the maximum number of birds a hunter may harvest on a given day, and hold in total.
Basic rules include:
- Daily limit – max number taken per day
- Possession limit – max number in possession
- Possession limit is usually 3x the daily limit
- Limits vary by species and sometimes by region
- Refer to the regulations for specific limits
Exceeding a limit or holding birds over the possession maximum can result in fines, seizures, and loss of hunting privileges.
Bag Limits for Key Species
| Species | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mallard ducks | 8 | 24 |
| Other ducks | 8 (singly or in combo) | 24 (singly or in combo) |
| Canada geese | 5 | 15 |
| White-fronted geese | 5 | 15 |
| Ruffed grouse | 5 | 15 |
| Ptarmigan | 10 | 30 |
| Wild turkey | 1 bearded turkey (spring); 1 any turkey (fall) | Season limit 2 bearded males |
Decoys and Calls
Decoys and bird calls are legal hunting aids in British Columbia. They are commonly used in fields and wetlands to attract waterfowl within shooting range during hunts. Regulations do impose some restrictions on their use:
- Electronic calls prohibited for migratory game birds
- No live birds may be used as decoys
- Decoy spread limits:
- Ducks – 50 decoys
- Geese – 100 decoys
- No more than a quarter can be magpies or crows
- Decoys must be removed after use each day
A variety of vocal calls, like duck calls and goose flutes, are also used to draw birds closer to hunters concealed in blinds. Strategic use of decoys and calls can significantly increase hunting success on BC’s game birds.
Special Regulations
Hunters need to be aware of some special regulations that apply to specific species or regions of BC:
- Sharp-tailed and blue grouse – Closed to hunting across portions of their range due to declining populations.
- Bobwhite quail – Closed to hunting except for licensed falconry.
- Wild turkey – Special season dates and require species license.
- Brant geese – Limited annual harvest with special permits and seasons.
- Harlequin ducks – Limited to 1 per day in select regions only.
- Band-tailed pigeons – Max daily limit 2 south of Clinton, 10 north of Clinton.
Stay legal and conserve wildlife by knowing regional rules and restrictions. It is the hunter’s responsibility to validate regulations before hunting.
Abiding by Hunting Regulations
In order to hunt birds legally and responsibly in BC, hunters must comply with all federal and provincial hunting regulations summarized below:
- Obtain and carry proper hunting licenses.
- Hunt only during specified open seasons.
- Adhere to daily limit and possession restrictions.
- Follow regional and special hunting area rules.
- Validate species and sex when required.
- Report harvests as required.
- Respect safety protocols and hunting ethics.
Complete hunting laws and regulations are published annually online and in print. Stay up to date on legal requirements and do your part as a responsible hunter to conserve game bird populations.
Best Practices for Bird Hunting
In addition to following hunting regulations, BC bird hunters should adhere to best practices afield. Recommendations include:
- Hunt responsibly – Only take clean shots within your effective range.
- Improve identification skills – Be 100% sure of bird species before shooting.
- Respect landowners – Ask permission before accessing private property.
- Leave no trace – Pack out all garbage and shell casings.
- Report violations – Call Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) if you witness illegal behavior.
- Share the bounty – Donate extra harvest to those in need.
- Mentor new hunters – Introduce youth and newcomers to bird hunting.
Being an ethical, responsible hunter helps ensure the continuation of sustainable bird hunting for future generations.
Conclusion
British Columbia provides awesome opportunities to hunt a wide variety of upland and migratory game birds across the province each fall. Common species include ducks, geese, grouse, pheasant, quail, dove, ptarmigan, and turkey. Hunters must comply with hunting regulations and seasons that vary by species, region, and season date. Licenses, permits, bag limits, species validation, safety protocols, and best practices all contribute to ethical hunts. With careful planning and preparation, BC offers world-class bird hunting adventures.
