New deer hunting terms and conditions

Licence associated with a white-tailed deer hunting zone

The white-tailed deer licence is now associated with a hunting zone, like the moose hunting licence. Before or during the hunting season, deer hunters can now obtain two hunting licences: a regular licence and an additional licence at a lower cost.

Each licence must be associated with a different hunting zone, with the exception of hunting zones 5 West, 8 East, and 8 South, where it will be possible to have a regular licence and an additional licence associated with the same zone.

It will be possible to use the regular or additional hunting licence of any zone for a stay at a wildlife reserve, provided that the licence is still valid and the harvest limit of the zone in which the wildlife reserve is located is respected.

Access to two white-tailed deer licences per year

The white-tailed deer harvest limit has been increased to two deer per hunter per year. The regular licence and the additional licence each make it possible to harvest one deer per zone, with the exception of zones 5 West, 8 East, and 8 South, where two deer may be harvested in the same zone.

It will be possible to use the regular hunting licence or the additional hunting licence at any wildlife reserve within the harvest limit of the hunting zone in which the reserve is located.

The possibility of using a shotgun during the black powder period

The use of a .10,.12, .16 or .20 caliber shotgun will be permitted as of fall 2020 for white-tailed deer hunting during the black powder period.* This new policy expands the range of possibilities for experienced and novice short-range hunters and is thus another way to make the activity more accessible.

* Bow, crossbow, and black powder package holders will be able to hunt white-tailed deer with a shotgun and black powder at Réserve faunique de Portneuf between November 13 and 15, 2020. Please see the hunting plan (in French only) for more details.

New calendar for white-tailed deer baiting

Hunters will only be able to bait white-tailed deer between September 1 and November 30 each year. However, the use of mineral substances (e.g. salt blocks) will still be permitted year-round.

Ban on use of natural white-tailed deer urine and tarsal glands

As of 2020, hunters will have to use synthetic deer urine, even on Anticosti Island, in order to limit the risk of spreading disease. This does not affect the use of moose urine.

New to special licence draws

Sharing an antlerless deer licence: more flexible terms and conditions

It will now be possible to share an antlerless deer licence with members of your immediate family. To find out how to share, please visit the MFFP website (in French only).

This new measure is of interest for hunters in wildlife reserves. Keep an eye on special licence draws in the spring.

White-tailed deer hunting weekend for the next generation of white-tailed deer hunters

The White-tailed deer hunting weekend for the next generation of white-tailed deer hunters is an initiative under the 2020-2027 White-tailed deer management plan. For details on how to participate, please visit the MFFP website.

Please note that Sépaq wildlife reserves will not be offering this new generation weekend on its territories.

Encouraging the next generation of white-tailed deer hunters remains one of Sépaq's priorities, which is why it offers a number of options for hunters to inspire newbies throughout the season:

• Non-hunting companions are admitted free of charge during big-game hunting stays, enabling hunters to invite family and friends. These companions will benefit from the facilities and a privileged contact with the practice of deer or moose hunting. Details
• Family deer hunting packages: At Sépaq, as part of our family hunting packages, you benefit from a discount equivalent to 50% off the price of a standard deer hunting stay if you include a young hunter aged 12 to 17 in your group. Please note that the youth must hold a valid hunter's certificate and the group must consist of a maximum of 3 adult hunters. Details
• Free of charge for a young moose hunter: add a young person as a hunter (12 to 17 years of age or a student from 18 to 24 years old with a hunter's certificate) to an already constituted moose hunting group absolutely free of charge. A double group can accommodate up to 2 youths. In the case of the Family moose hunting package, the group will be made up of 3 adult hunters and a young hunter from 12 to 17 years of age to which it is possible to add a second young hunter from 12 to 17 years old at no extra charge, or from 18 to 24 years old in the case of a student. Details