Department of Natural Resources

Hunting Licence: Small Game

Anyone who wants to hunt ring-necked pheasants, ruffed grouse, and migratory game birds (ducks, geese, woodcock, and Wilson or common snipe) in Nova Scotia. To hunt migratory birds, you MUST also have a Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit which can be obtained online at: https://www.ec.gc.ca/rcom-mbhr/default.asp?lang=En&n=182D8E96-1 or at your local post office.

Non-residents also need a Small Game Licence to hunt or snare rabbits (Snowshoe Hare).

Note: A Small Game Hunting Licence is not required to shoot pheasants on a licensed pheasant shooting preserve. However, a Small Game Hunting Licence is required to shoot other small game on a preserve.

For information on seasons and limits, please refer to Requirements to Hunt in Nova Scotia.

Age Requirements: You have to be 18 years of age or older. [However, persons 16 or 17 can get a licence through a parent or guardian]. If under 18 the person must be accompanied, while hunting, by someone 18 years or older who is certified under Hunter Education, Safety and Training regulations to hunt with the applicable weapon.

Authorized Vendors (on behalf of the)
N.S. Department of Natural Resources

Authorized Vendors

OR

Any of the Local or Area Offices of the N.S. Department of Natural Resources.

OR

Service Delivery Division
Business Registration Unit
Service Nova Scotia

Tel: 902-424-4821
Fax: 902-424-4633

Note:  The Maritime Centre is located at the intersection of Barrington Street and Spring Garden Road (the Aliant Building at the foot of Spring Garden).

OR

Consult the Nova Scotia Hunting and Furharvesting Summary of Regulations (which is available both in printed form and on the Department of Natural Resources website.)

No application form is needed . A licence can be purchased from the nearest Local or Area Office of the N.S. Department of Natural Resources as well as authorized vendors.

The applicant must be 18 years of age or older. (However, persons 12 to 18 can get a licence through a parent or guardian who has an appropriate Hunting Certificate and they must be accompanied by someone 18 years or older who is certified under Hunter Education, Safety and Training regulations to hunt with the applicable weapon.

You have to have a Base Licence for Hunting.

You have to have a valid Wildlife Resources Card and be certified for the weapon with which you will be hunting.

None.

This is a seasonal licence, which is valid until the end of the current small game seasons. Once it expires, it cannot be reused.

Resident:  $17.26 plus HST
Non-Resident: $62.30 plus HST
Seniors (65 years of age, and older): No Charge

1. You have to have a valid Wildlife Resources Card and be certified for the weapon with which you will be hunting.  (If you are a non-resident, you have to have whatever is the equivalent in your own province or state.)
   
   
2. If you are going to hunt ducks, geese, woodcock, Wilson or common snipe, in addition to your N.S. Small Game Hunting Stamp, you will also have to have a (Canadian) Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit. This can be obtained at any Office of Canada Post.
   
   
3. If you are carrying a gun in any wildlife habitat in Nova Scotia, you may also be asked to produce one of the following:
   
   1. A valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate ; or
      
   2. Canadian Firearm Possession & Acquisition Licence ; or
      
   3. Canadian Minor's (Firearm) Possession Only Licence (if you are under 18).

1. You must always obey local (municipal) regulations regarding the discharge of firearms within town limits.

2. A base license is required to snare rabbits. Even if you are under 18.

3. There are some wild animals that you can hunt without a Small Game hunting stamp, but YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BASE LICENCE [Wildlife Habitat Stamp]! These animals are listed below:
(A) The following can be hunted with a Base Licence (only), but only during their open season :

(B) For the purpose of preventing damage to their property, the owner/occupier of a property (or their agent) can hunt any of the following wildlife with a Base Licence (only) at any time of year : Mice, Rat, Porcupine, Red Squirrel, Chipmunk, Skunk, Crow, Starling, Vole, Mole, Shrew, Woodchuck (Groundhog), Rock Dove (Common Pigeon), and English Sparrow (locally known as a "House Sparrow").

4. Some wildlife can never be hunted - for example, eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, osprey, and many others. [The only wildlife which can be legally hunted or trapped in Nova Scotia are those species listed in the Licensing Booklet; all other species of birds and animals are protected by law at all times.] If you see anyone hunting protected wildlife, please report the incident to a local or area office of the N.S. Department of Natural Resources.

5. Hunting is not allowed in Nova Scotia on Sundays.

6. For more information on Hunting Regulations, download the Nova Scotia Hunting and Furharvesting Summary of Regulations.

Wildlife Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 504.