Hunting or fishing in Canada as a visitor

Each province sets its own rules

In Canada, hunting and most fishing rules are set by the provinces and territories, not by the federal government. Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick and the others each have their own licences, seasons, zones and requirements, and they update them regularly.

That means there is no single answer to the question of what a visitor needs. Start by choosing the province and the species, then read that province's official hunting or fishing regulations, published by its wildlife ministry. Everything in this guide is general; the official text always has the final word.

Non-resident licences

Non-residents generally buy a different licence than residents, often at a different price and sometimes with different seasons or quotas. For hunting, most provinces also ask visitors to show proof of hunter education or an equivalent hunting licence from their home country or state. What is accepted varies, so check before you travel.

Fishing is usually simpler: a non-resident fishing licence from the province, plus any special permits for salmon rivers, parks or reserves. Some licences can be bought online, others from local vendors or at the outfitter. Ask your guide or outfitter how they usually handle it for their foreign clients.

When an outfitter or guide is required

For some species and in some provinces, non-residents may only hunt with a licensed outfitter or guide, or must stay at an outfitter to hunt certain animals or zones. Big game such as black bear and moose is where these rules most often apply. This is one of the main reasons visitors book a guided trip in the first place.

Rules also exist for caribou, but sport hunting of caribou is closed or heavily restricted in much of Canada, including in Québec. Guides only offer it where it is still legal. If an offer seems unclear on this point, ask questions and check the province's regulations before you commit.

Bringing a firearm into Canada

Canada has strict firearm laws, and visitors must follow them. If you want to bring a rifle or shotgun for hunting, you must declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency when you enter the country, using the non-resident firearm declaration form, and present the firearm at the border. Some firearms are prohibited or restricted and cannot be brought in for hunting.

Rules also cover how firearms are stored and transported, including on flights and in vehicles, and what happens if you travel through more than one country. Read the official pages of the Canada Border Services Agency and the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program well before your trip, and check your airline's rules. Many outfitters can also rent firearms to clients, where the law allows it; ask about it.

Bringing your harvest home

Taking meat, fish or trophies back to France, elsewhere in Europe or the United States involves the rules of both Canada and your home country. Some animal products need export or import permits, and some species are covered by international trade rules. Food rules at your home border may also limit what meat you can bring back.

Talk to your outfitter about this before the hunt. Many have experience with foreign clients and can explain the usual steps, such as processing, packing and paperwork. Check your own country's customs and agriculture authorities for the import side.

Practical planning tips

Plan early. Licences, firearm paperwork and popular outfitter dates take time to arrange. Leave a margin in your travel plans, because float planes, weather and forest roads can cause delays in remote regions.

• Pick the province and species first, then read its official regulations
• Confirm with the outfitter or guide which licences and permits you need
• Check whether a licensed outfitter or guide is mandatory for your hunt
• Prepare the non-resident firearm declaration, or ask about rental firearms
• Look up the rules for bringing meat, fish or trophies home
• Check travel documents, insurance and any entry requirements for Canada

Finding a guide from abroad

From Paris, Lyon or Chicago, it can be hard to tell which guides are serious. Look for clear offers, ask for references, and confirm the guide's licences and the province's rules yourself. In Québec, many guides and outfitters speak both French and English, which makes things easier for visitors from France.

GuideHunter puts guides and outfitters on a map, starting with Québec and across Canada, with what each offer includes and how to contact the guide directly by phone, email or website.