23SPECIES TABLES
60ZONE-SEASON RULES
24ZONE GROUPINGS
13PARK RULES
About hunting in Nova Scotia
Deer, black bears, ruffed grouse and waterfowl across compact zones you can learn in a weekend.
- Current guide: 2026 Hunting and Fur Harvesting Summary of Regulations (2026) — official PDF / web version ↗
- Published by: Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- Licences & tags: official licensing portal ↗
- Zone system: hunting zones
🗂️ How to read the tables. Each row is one published season rule: the hunting zones it covers, open dates, bag or tag limit, and notes. “Source” cites the exact guide page — verify anything against the official guide linked above.
On this page:
🦌 Big Game
Deer, moose, elk, bears and the draw-species that anchor Canadian hunts.
White-tailed Deer All provinces →
📋 Zones open for harvest of either sex (antlered or antlerless): Deer management zones 101, 102, 105, 107, and 109 (p. 27). Antlered deer may be taken during an open season in any zone with a general or archery/muzzleloader licence (p. 27). Antlerless deer draw occurs each year in July (p. 23). A small section of the boundary between Deer Management Zones 106 and 107 has been adjusted to better manage white-tailed deer in the Musquodoboit Valley (p. 5). Zone descriptions online: https://data.novascotia.ca/Lands-Forests-and-Wildlife/Deer-Management-Zones-Map/3vgv-umnr (p. 30). Restrictions on Sunday hunting: hunting on Sunday extended to the first Sunday immediately following October 1, until the last Sunday in December (inclusive); on those days hunting is allowed for all harvestable species (p. 11).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Deer Management Zones (province-wide) | Archery and Muzzleloader: Sep 14 – Dec 12 | 1 | Sep 14 to Sep 26 restricted to bow only. Deer Hunting: Archery & Muzzleloader licence required.Source: p. 10 |
| All Deer Management Zones (province-wide) | Youth: Oct 16 – 24 | 1 | Individuals aged 12–17 may hunt deer under the immediate supervision of a parent, guardian or other responsible person 18+ certified to hunt with the weapon used.Source: p. 10 |
| All Deer Management Zones (province-wide) | General: Oct 30 – Dec 12 | 1 | General (rifle) deer season; deer rifle hunting season extended by 1 week per Minister's message (Minister's message page).Source: p. 10 |
| 101 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | either sex | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 102 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | either sex | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 103 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 2,200 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 104 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 425 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 105 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | either sex | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 106 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 900 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 107 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | either sex | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 108 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 850 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 109 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | either sex | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 110 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 850 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 111 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 500 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 112 | During an open season in that Deer Management Zone | 300 | Antlerless deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim; 'either sex' = zones open for harvest of either sex, no Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp required). An Antlerless Deer Hunting Stamp does not increase the bag limit; it allows harvest of an antlerless or antlered deer under the Deer Hunting licence held.Source: p. 28 |
| 101 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 102 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 103 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | N/A | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 104 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | N/A | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 105 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | N/A | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 106 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 107 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 108 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 109 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 110 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 111 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
| 112 | Open deer season in the zone specified on the stamp (only after a first deer is harvested and reported) | 300 | Bonus deer stamps available for 2026 ('Stamps' column verbatim). Restricted to antlerless-only harvest (new for 2026); increase the bag limit from one to two; $5.57 plus HST; replacement bonus stamps not available.Source: p. 29 |
Black Bear All provinces →
📋 No person who holds a Bear Hunting Licence shall take, hunt, kill, or attempt to take, hunt, or kill a female bear which is accompanied by one or more cubs (p. 24). Black bear gallbladders must be sealed with a permanently attached locking seal prior to sale or export (p. 25). Bear meat storage: Bear Hunting Report serves as a valid storage permit until April 30 (p. 25).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Hunting: Sep 14 – Dec 5 | 1 | Bear Hunting licence required.Source: p. 10 |
| Province-wide | Snaring: Oct 1 – Dec 5 | 2 | Bear Snaring licence: must be a Nova Scotia resident, 16 years of age or older, certified as a fur harvester (FQ or FT); only a cable foot snare may be used; non-residents are not allowed to snare bear; no snares within 30 m of the boundaries of any common or public highway.Source: p. 10 (details p. 24) |
| Moose Management Zones 2, 3 and 4 | Sep 14 – Oct 11, 2026 | n/a | It is prohibited to possess or use rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders for the purpose of bear hunting within the lands designated as Moose Management Zones 2, 3 and 4 from Monday, Sep 14 to Sunday, Oct 11, 2026.Source: p. 10 |
Moose All provinces →
📋 2025 Cape Breton Moose Survey (aerial survey Feb 20-25, 2025) covered all five Moose Management Zones and Cape Breton Highlands National Park (p. 39). Permit to keep moose meat rules on p. 41.
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton (Moose Management Zones 1-5) | No season in 2026 | n/a | In 2024, the Cape Breton moose hunt was suspended for three years and therefore there will not be a Cape Breton Moose hunt in 2026 (p. 10); based on survey results the province will not be holding a draw for moose licences in 2026 (p. 40).Source: pp. 10, 40 |
| Mainland Nova Scotia | No open season listed | n/a | Nova Scotia's native moose species has been listed as endangered since 2003; the estimated population of Mainland moose (Alces alces americana) is approximately 1,000 animals; report sightings online (p. 22). The guide's Moose bag limits and open seasons table lists no open season (p. 10).Source: pp. 10, 22 |
🦃 Upland Game Birds
Grouse, partridge, ptarmigan and turkey — the classic autumn walks.
Ruffed Grouse All provinces →
📋 Hunting of Spruce Partridge (Falcipennis canadensis) and Hungarian Partridge (Perdix perdix) is prohibited in Nova Scotia (p. 43). Not legal to hunt a game bird with a rifle, muzzleloader or rifle portion of a rifle/shotgun combination firearm (p. 16, note d).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Oct 1 – Dec 31 | 5 per day. (After the first day, possession limit is 10 at any time.) | Small Game Stamp required.Source: p. 11 |
Ring-necked Pheasant (male only)
📋 You must leave at least one fully feathered wing and the tail attached on ring-necked pheasants (does not apply to legally tagged pheasants taken from a licensed pheasant shooting preserve) (p. 43).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annapolis, Kings, Hants | Nov 1 – Dec 15 | 2 per day. After the first day, the possession limit is 4 birds at any time. | Small Game Stamp required. Male only.Source: p. 11 |
| All other counties | Oct 1 – Dec 15 | 2 per day. After the first day, the possession limit is 4 birds at any time. | Small Game Stamp required. Male only.Source: p. 11 |
🦆 Waterfowl & Migratory Birds
Ducks, geese and migratory bird seasons under federal frameworks.
Migratory Game Birds (woodcock, snipe, ducks, geese)
📋 Migratory game birds in Nova Scotia include woodcock, snipe, ducks and geese (p. 44). You must use non-toxic shot when hunting waterfowl or snipe; within National Wildlife Areas possession of lead shot is a federal offence; non-toxic shot required on Belleisle Marsh constructed wetlands (p. 82). It is illegal to possess a shotgun that has a capacity of more than three shells at any time in the magazine and chamber combined to hunt migratory game birds (p. 42). Belleisle Marsh Hunting Blind Lottery: hunting on constructed wetlands during the first three days of the migratory bird hunting season is permitted at registered blind sites only; applications open August 1; deadline August 31, 2026; draw date September 1, 2026 (p. 23). Under federal regulations, one fully feathered wing or fully feathered head must be attached on migratory game birds until preserved (p. 43).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | See federal Migratory Birds Regulations | See federal regulations | To hunt migratory birds in Nova Scotia you must obtain: NS Small Game Hunting Licence; NS Wildlife Habitat Stamp; Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit; Federal Habitat Conservation Stamp. Federal permit available at permis-permits.ec.gc.ca or local post offices.Source: p. 44 |
🐇 Small Game
Hares, coyotes, foxes and the species that keep the season long.
Snowshoe Hare All provinces →
📋 No person shall hunt snowshoe hare with a dog from Nov 1 to Nov 15 inclusive (pp. 11, 43). A Small Game Hunting Licence is not required by a resident to hunt snowshoe hare, but a Wildlife Habitat Stamp is still required; to hunt hare, residents require a Wildlife Habitat Stamp and HT certification; non-residents require a Wildlife Habitat Stamp and Non-Resident Small Game Stamp (pp. 11, 43). Illegal to use a body gripping trap or leg-hold trap to hunt snowshoe hare (p. 43). During Big Game Season a person can hunt snowshoe hare with any firearm used for big game with valid big game licence and stamp (p. 16, note a).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Hunting: Nov 1 2026 – Feb 27 2027 | None | Source: p. 11 |
| Province-wide | Snaring: Nov 1 2026 – Feb 28 2027 | None | A person of any age may snare snowshoe hare; only legal to snare with wire commonly known as rabbit wire, not lighter than 20 gauge (p. 43).Source: p. 11 |
🦫 Furbearers
Trapping and hunting seasons for martens, beavers and more.
Beaver All provinces →
📋 Fur Harvester licences are not issuable to non-residents (p. 9). It is illegal to kill a beaver, muskrat, mink or otter by a firearm or bow unless the animal is confined by a trap (p. 17, note a). Pelts of beaver may be possessed November 1 to April 15 with a valid Fur Harvester licence (p. 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 (Cape Breton, Inverness, Richmond, Victoria) | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | 30 | Fur Harvester table zone names verbatim; requires Wildlife Habitat and Fur Harvester Stamps.Source: p. 9 |
| Zone 2 (Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland, Guysborough, Halifax, Hants, Pictou) | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | 20 | Source: p. 9 |
| Zone 3 (Annapolis, Kings, Lunenburg) | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | 20 | Source: p. 9 |
| Zone 4 (Digby, Queens, Shelburne, Yarmouth) | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | 20 | Source: p. 9 |
Bobcat All provinces →
📋 May be hunted per the furbearing species hunting methods summary (raccoon, bobcat, fox, weasel row, p. 17). CITES has listed bobcat and otter on its appendices; exporting requires a CITES Export Permit (p. 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Nov 1 2026 – Feb 28 2027 | Limit of 5 | Fur Harvester licence required.Source: p. 9 |
Otter All provinces →
📋 Otter and fisher are mandatory turn-in species in 2026-27: turn in whole skinned carcasses to a local DNR office, exhibit corresponding pelts for stamping, and declare WRC number, date of capture, location of capture and method of kill (p. 56). CITES listed (p. 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Nov 1 2026 – Feb 28 2027 | No limit | Carcasses must be turned in and pelts stamped at a DNR office.Source: p. 9 |
Mink All provinces →
📋 It is illegal to kill a beaver, muskrat, mink or otter by a firearm or bow unless the animal is confined by a trap (p. 17, note a). Pelts of beaver, otter, mink, muskrat and weasel may be possessed November 1 to April 15 (p. 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Guide lists these species in one grouped row: 'MINK, MUSKRAT, RED SQUIRREL, SKUNK, and WEASEL'.Source: p. 9 |
Muskrat All provinces →
📋 It is illegal to kill a beaver, muskrat, mink or otter by a firearm or bow unless the animal is confined by a trap (p. 17, note a). Pelts of beaver, otter, mink, muskrat and weasel may be possessed November 1 to April 15 (p. 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Guide lists these species in one grouped row: 'MINK, MUSKRAT, RED SQUIRREL, SKUNK, and WEASEL'.Source: p. 9 |
Weasel All provinces →
📋 It is illegal to kill a beaver, muskrat, mink or otter by a firearm or bow unless the animal is confined by a trap (p. 17, note a). Pelts of beaver, otter, mink, muskrat and weasel may be possessed November 1 to April 15 (p. 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Guide lists these species in one grouped row: 'MINK, MUSKRAT, RED SQUIRREL, SKUNK, and WEASEL'.Source: p. 9 |
Fox (red fox) All provinces →
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Oct 15 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Guide row 'FOX and COYOTE'. With a valid Fur Harvester licence, pelts of fox may be possessed October 15 to April 15.Source: p. 9 (possession p. 55) |
Raccoon All provinces →
📋 Raccoons taken accidentally in a trap lawfully set for fox or coyote prior to the raccoon season may be kept (p. 9 note). Requires Wildlife Habitat and Fur Harvester Stamps (p. 9). Pelts of raccoon may be possessed October 15 to April 15 (p. 55). Night-hunting weapon restrictions apply (p. 17).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Trapping: Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Source: p. 9 |
| Province-wide | Hunting: Oct 15 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Source: p. 9 |
Lynx All provinces →
📋 Also listed as a completely protected furbearer (p. 46).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Closed season | n/a | Guide row (verbatim): 'LYNX, MARTEN and FISHER* ... Closed season. * Animals accidently caught must be released or reported, and immediately turned into a DNR office.'Source: p. 9 |
Marten
📋 Also listed as a completely protected furbearer (p. 46).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Closed season | n/a | Guide row (verbatim): 'LYNX, MARTEN and FISHER* ... Closed season. * Animals accidently caught must be released or reported, and immediately turned into a DNR office.'Source: p. 9 |
Fisher All provinces →
📋 The pelt of one fisher caught in a trap legally set for another species may be kept, but the carcass must be turned in and the pelts stamped at a DNR office (p. 9 note). Fisher specimens are mandatory turn-in for 2026-27 (p. 56).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Closed season | n/a | Guide row (verbatim): 'LYNX, MARTEN and FISHER* ... Closed season. * Animals accidently caught must be released or reported, and immediately turned into a DNR office.'Source: p. 9 |
🐦 Other Species
Special-permission and nuisance species seasons.
Coyote All provinces →
📋 Coyote is classed as 'Other Harvestable Wildlife': you may legally possess pelts throughout the year without a permit, but you need a permit to export the pelt or other parts from the province (pp. 46-47).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Jan 1 2026 – Dec 31 2026 | None | Classed by the guide as 'Other Harvestable Wildlife'; Wildlife Habitat Stamp required. After the general deer season to March 31 the following year it is permitted to hunt coyote with a rifle or shotgun with rifled slugs or ball if the person holds a valid base licence and is hunting coyote (p. 18, note b).Source: p. 11 (methods p. 18) |
| Province-wide (Fur Harvester licence) | Oct 15 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Listed with fox in the Fur Harvester bag limits and open seasons table (guide row 'FOX and COYOTE').Source: p. 9 |
Crow All provinces →
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Sep 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | None | Other Harvestable Wildlife; Wildlife Habitat Stamp required.Source: p. 11 |
Red Squirrel All provinces →
📋 Pelts of squirrel may be possessed year-round with a valid Fur Harvester licence; an export permit is required to ship furs directly out of the province (pp. 46-47, 55).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Nov 1 2026 – Feb 27 2027 | None | Other Harvestable Wildlife (hunting); Wildlife Habitat Stamp required.Source: p. 11 |
| Province-wide (Fur Harvester licence) | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Listed in the guide's grouped Fur Harvester table row 'MINK, MUSKRAT, RED SQUIRREL, SKUNK, and WEASEL'.Source: p. 9 |
Bullfrog
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide | Jul 15 2026 – Sep 30 2026 | None | Other Harvestable Wildlife; Wildlife Habitat Stamp required.Source: p. 11 |
Skunk All provinces →
📋 Classed as Other Harvestable Wildlife: pelts may be possessed year-round; a permit is needed to export the pelt or other parts from the province (pp. 46-47).
| Zone | Season | Bag / tag limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Province-wide (Fur Harvester licence) | Nov 1 2026 – Mar 31 2027 | No limit | Grouped Fur Harvester table row 'MINK, MUSKRAT, RED SQUIRREL, SKUNK, and WEASEL'.Source: p. 9 |
🏞️ Parks & special-area rules
Hunting restrictions the guide publishes for provincial parks, protected areas and special zones — quoted with their citations.
| Area | Rule | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provincial parks (Nova Scotia) | No hunting/trapping | Hunting and trapping is allowed on most provincial Crown lands; signs will be posted in most areas where these activities are prohibited, including: provincial parks (novascotia.ca/natr/parks). | p. 81 |
| Nature reserves | No hunting/trapping (posted prohibited areas) | Listed among the posted Crown-land areas where these activities are prohibited. | p. 81 |
| Protected areas managed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change | No hunting/trapping (posted prohibited areas) | Listed among the posted Crown-land areas where these activities are prohibited (novascotia.ca/nse/protectedareas). | p. 81 |
| Game sanctuaries | No hunting/trapping (posted prohibited areas) | May be a mix of public and private land: novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/habitats/sanctuaries/. | p. 81 |
| Land under lease or licence for logging operations | No hunting/trapping (posted prohibited areas) | Listed among the posted Crown-land areas where these activities are prohibited. | p. 81 |
| National parks | Firearms restricted (federal jurisdiction) | Possession and transport of firearms in National Parks fall under federal regulations. Contact Parks Canada: General Inquiries 1-888-773-8888. | p. 81 |
| National wildlife areas | No hunting/trapping equipment; no lead shot | Possessing equipment that could be used for hunting or trapping is prohibited in national wildlife areas. Within National Wildlife Areas, the possession of lead shot is a federal offence. | pp. 81-82 |
| Tobeatic Wilderness Area | Bait for hunting prohibited | The Tobeatic Wilderness Area Management Plan prohibits the use of bait for hunting animals in the Tobeatic Wilderness Area. This includes deer and bear. This does not apply to bait for traps or snares legally set for furbearers. | p. 65 |
| Chignecto Game Sanctuary | Bow-only hunting | Season: the period which coincides with an open season for deer hunting. Species: wildlife for which a licence is held and for which the season is open. Weapons: bows only. Hunter orange: optional. | p. 82 |
| Liscomb Game Sanctuary | Restricted hunting (muzzleloader, bow, crossbow) | Season: from the third Monday in October until the following Saturday, inclusive. Species: wildlife for which a licence is held and for which the season is open. Weapons: muzzleloader, bow, crossbow. Hunter orange: optional. | p. 82 |
| Tobeatic Wildlife Management Area (TWMA) | Primitive hunt only | Season: from the third Monday in October until the following Saturday, inclusive. Species: wildlife for which a licence is held and for which the season is open. Weapons: muzzleloader, bow, crossbow. Hunter orange: optional. Special rules: primitive hunt, no electric motors, no internal combustion engines. | p. 82 |
| Belleisle Marsh constructed wetlands (Annapolis County) | Non-toxic shot required; registered blind sites for first three days | Mandatory use of non-toxic shot on Belleisle Marsh constructed wetlands (p. 82). A special draw is held for waterfowl hunting on constructed wetlands of Belleisle Marsh; hunting during the first three days of the migratory bird hunting season is permitted at registered blind sites only; applications open August 1; deadline August 31, 2026; draw date September 1, 2026 (p. 23). | pp. 23, 82 |
| Areas designated as 'no hunting' by the Minister | No hunting | Section 78(3) Hunting in an area designated as 'no hunting' by the Minister of Natural Resources is an offence (listed under automatic licence suspension/forfeiture offences). | p. 59 |