Hunting Season in Quebec 2026: Dates, Rules, and Hunting Zones
Quebec’s 2026 hunting dates and rules depend on the species, zone and weapon. Before planning a hunting season in Quebec, check the current schedule for the area where you will hunt, then prepare the required licence, authorizations and gear.
When Does Hunting Season Start in Quebec in 2026?
The hunting season changes with the species, zone and authorized gear, so Quebec has no single opening weekend. The same species-and-region pattern shapes hunting in Canada more broadly, but Quebec’s current official schedule governs your trip.
2026 Hunting Dates by Game Species
Quebec’s wildlife ministry, the MELCCFP (Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs), publishes the official 2026–2027 hunting seasons by species, zone and authorized gear. Dates or segments may change, so verify the current table before hunting.
Game Species | General 2026 Open Windows (By Zone & Gear) | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
White-Tailed Deer | Late September / Early October to late November 2026 | General rifle seasons in the main southern zones run from November 7 to November 22; Anticosti's season runs longer. |
Moose | Late August / September to late October 2026 | Archery opens in September across central zones; firearm hunting takes place in October, with alternating bull/cow rules in effect. |
Black Bear | Spring: Mid-May to late June 2026; Fall: September to November 2026 | Spring hunts centre on bait sites and logging road clearings; fall trips can include small game and other big game hunting. |
Small Game (Grouse, Hare) | Mid-September 2026 to late winter (January–March 2027) | Snowshoe hare snaring is extended to late March in northern and central regions. |
Migratory Birds (Waterfowl) | Early September to late December 2026 | Regulated jointly with the federal Canadian Wildlife Service, which sets the season frameworks for the major flyways. |
Hunting Seasons by Weapon Type
Quebec staggers its windows so lower-impact weapons get the bush first and high-powered rifles come in later, which gives bow, crossbow and muzzleloader hunters a stretch of quieter woods.
Archery and Crossbow: Bow and crossbow periods often open before firearm periods, but dates and eligible animal segments vary by species and zone. For example, 2026 moose bow and crossbow openings begin on different dates across Quebec, and some zones restrict harvest to antlered moose.
Muzzleloader and Shotgun: Some zones schedule short periods for shotguns, muzzle-loading firearms, bows and crossbows. Check the official species table because eligible zones, dates and permitted gear do not follow one province-wide window.
Modern Rifles: Firearm periods vary by species, zone and territory. Some 2026 moose firearm periods begin in September while others begin in October, and white-tailed deer dates also differ by zone. Check the official MELCCFP schedule for the exact area before travelling.
What Are the Hunting Rules in Quebec?
Who you are and where you hunt can change the paperwork, with different requirements for residents and non-residents, and for private land and managed public areas.
Hunting Licence and Hunter Certificate Requirements
Quebec residents normally need a valid hunter’s certificate (certificat du chasseur) before purchasing a species-specific hunting licence in Quebec. The certificate requires the training and examination that match the intended weapon. What some visitors call a hunting permit in Quebec is generally issued as a hunting licence, while separate draw authorizations may apply. Non-residents do not need a Quebec hunter’s certificate, but species, territory and outfitter restrictions may still apply, and some big-game licences have purchase deadlines.
Bag Limits, Tags, and Reporting Requirements
Before you shoot, check the local antler rules, since zones like 6 North and 6 South call for at least three points measuring 2.5 cm or more on one side. Once a white-tailed deer or moose is down, you have 48 hours from leaving your hunting area to register it, online through the official portal or in person at an authorized registration station (station d’enregistrement). Black bear and wild turkey run on the same clock, and if you’re taking the game out of Quebec before that window closes, register it first.
Firearm and Hunting Safety Rules
In zones 3 to 11 and parts of several other zones, it’s strictly forbidden to shoot from, across or toward a public road and its right-of-way. The ban covers everything from country roads to highways, and extends 10 metres past the shoulder on either side. Inside a ZEC, a wildlife reserve or an exclusive-rights outfitter’s territory, the ban does not apply.
Public and Private Land Hunting Rules
Where you hunt decides which access rules you follow.
Private property: You need the landowner's permission to hunt rural private land. Having it in writing can help head off disputes, particularly in farming areas such as the Eastern Townships, Montérégie and Chaudière-Appalaches.
Wildlife reserves (Réserves fauniques): Many areas run by Sépaq require a draw or a group package, with access subject to quotas.
Controlled Harvesting Zones (ZECs): Register at the entrance station (poste d'accueil), pay any access or hunting fees, and check out when you leave.
Crown land (Terres de la Couronne): Hunting is generally open on public Crown land in central and northern Quebec, as long as you steer clear of active logging and follow municipal safety rules.
What Are the Hunting Zones in Quebec?
Quebec’s 28 hunting zones stretch from the southern river valleys to the boreal forest and Anticosti Island, and each can have its own season dates and rules.
Overview of Quebec's Hunting Zones
The zones vary widely in climate, terrain and the main game they hold.
Hunting area | Zones | Terrain and game |
|---|---|---|
Southern and valley regions | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | The Eastern Townships, Centre-du-Québec and Montérégie have hardwood ridges, farmland and cedar swamps, with high white-tailed deer numbers. |
Laurentians and Outaouais | 9, 10, 11, 12 | Mixed boreal and hardwood forests, rocky outcrops and many lakes support deer and moose hunting. |
Central and Appalachian regions | 1, 2, 3, 27 | The Gaspé Peninsula, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Charlevoix have mountainous terrain and backcountry moose hunting. |
Boreal and Far North | 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22 | Remote spruce forests and taiga provide habitat for moose and small game. |
Anticosti Island | 20 | This island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence has a large white-tailed deer population and its own hunting seasons and bag limits. |
How to Find Your Hunting Zone
Checking where you're hunting against the zone lines keeps a misread boundary from turning into a ticket.
Get the Official Zone Map: Download the official zone map from the Quebec government portal (Gouvernement du Québec - Faune) and save it while you still have signal.
Use Hunting GPS Apps: Offline mapping apps for your phone, such as OnX Hunt, HuntStand or iHunter Quebec, include built-in overlays for zone borders, ZEC perimeters and Crown land boundaries.
Check Boundary Landmarks: Zone lines often follow features you can pick out from the truck, including major provincial highways like Route 132 or 117, hydro corridors, and large rivers such as the Saint-Maurice and the Ottawa.
How to Prepare for Hunting Season in Quebec?
A hunt can put you well past paved roads, nearby services and reliable cell coverage, while fall weather in Quebec can change quickly. Clothing, a safety plan and dependable power for essential devices all matter. For longer vehicle-accessible camps, a solar panel may help recharge compatible equipment when weather, placement and local rules allow.
Choose Essential Hunting Gear and Clothing
Use the same layering approach that works for backcountry camping: a moisture-wicking base, a warm mid-layer and a quiet, waterproof outer shell. Broken-in insulated boots help on wet ground and long cold sits, while a gutting knife, bone saw, game bags and cord belong in the pack.
Check Quebec's Weather Conditions
October can be mild enough for a light jacket, but November may bring freezing rain, snow and squalls that roll in fast. Check the Environment and Climate Change Canada forecast before you go, and factor in wind direction when you pick a stand or blind.
Plan for Hunting Safety and Emergencies
Cell service can disappear beyond the main roads, so share your route and check-in time with someone you trust. Bring a satellite communicator, first-aid kit, whistle, fire-starting supplies and extra food. At a vehicle-accessible basecamp, a portable power station can support compatible communication and lighting devices when its capacity and output match the planned loads.
Pack Portable Power for Hunting Trips
GPS units, radios, phones, lights and your satellite communicator all need charging, especially on multi-day trips. A portable power station can keep them running at camp without relying on your truck.
For a weekend or a day trip, a compact unit like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Classic Portable Power Station provides ample capacity (1,024Wh with an 1,800W inverter) to keep your phone, handheld GPS, camera batteries and heated socks topped up.
A longer wall-tent setup or remote basecamp may require more stored energy. The EcoFlow DELTA 3000 Gen4 Portable Power Station provides 3,072Wh of capacity and 3,600W of rated output for compatible devices. At roughly 26 kg, with integrated dual side handles, it moves smoothly from the truck bed to camp, giving you flexible, quiet power wherever you set up.
Conclusion
A good Quebec hunt starts at home, with the season dates and rules for your species, weapon and zone checked before the truck leaves the driveway. Plan around the conditions you may face out in the field, and get your clothing, emergency supplies and essential gear ready, with the boots and first-aid kit by the door.
FAQ
When Can You Hunt Deer in Quebec?
You can hunt white-tailed deer from early October through late November, but the exact dates depend on your hunting zone and chosen weapon. Bow and crossbow windows usually open in early October, while general firearm seasons in southern and central regions typically fall in November. Sub-zones often have shorter or split seasons based on herd management goals, so confirm the current schedule for your specific area before you head out.
Can You Hunt on Public Land in Quebec?
Yes, you can hunt on public land in Quebec, including vast tracts of provincial Crown land, designated Controlled Harvesting Zones (ZECs) and government-managed wildlife reserves. Hunting in a ZEC or a Sépaq wildlife reserve means registering, sticking to local quotas and paying any access fees, so plan on a stop at the entrance station.
Is It Legal to Hunt at Night in Canada?
No, night hunting for big game and game birds is strictly prohibited for regular licensed hunters. Legal shooting hours run from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, and using artificial lights, night-vision devices or thermal optics to find animals is illegal.
Exceptions: Night hunting is allowed under specific provincial permits (such as hunting raccoons at night with hounds under strict conditions) and for Indigenous individuals exercising constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty harvesting rights in recognized areas.
Which Province Has the Best Hunting in Canada?
Alberta and Saskatchewan are known worldwide for trophy-class white-tailed deer and mule deer, while Quebec, British Columbia and Newfoundland offer hard-to-beat access to moose and black bear in big, rugged backcountry, so which province comes out on top depends entirely on the species you’re after and how you like to hunt.