This consolidation is unofficial and is for reference only. For the official version of the regulations, consult the original documents on file with the Registry of Regulations, or refer to the Royal Gazette Part II. Regulations are amended frequently. Please check the list of Regulations by Act to see if there are any recent amendments to these regulations filed with the Registry that are not yet included in this consolidation. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this electronic version, the Registry of Regulations assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies that may have resulted from reformatting. This electronic version is copyright © 2015, Province of Nova Scotia, all rights reserved. It is for your personal use and may not be copied for the purposes of resale in this or any other form.
Small Game Hunting Regulations
made under Section 113 of the
Wildlife Act
R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 504
O.I.C. 87-957 (August 18, 1987, effective August 19, 1987), N.S. Reg. 166/87
as amended to O.I.C. 2015-96 (March 31, 2015, effective April 1, 2015), N.S. Reg. 175/2015
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Small Game Hunting Regulations.
Definitions
2 In these regulations
(a) “Act” means the Wildlife Act;
Clause 2(a) amended: O.I.C. 92-701, N.S. Reg. 142/92.
(aa) “base licence” means a licence issued by the Department consisting of a licence card and a current wildlife habitat stamp;
Clause 2(aa) added: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99.
(ab) “crossbow” means a crossbow as defined in the Firearm and Bow Regulations made under the Act;
Clause 2(ab) added: O.I.C. 2013-245, N.S. Reg. 268/2013.
(b) “Department” means the Department of Natural Resources;
Clause 2(b) amended: O.I.C. 92-701, N.S. Reg. 142/92.
(c) “Dog Field Trial Permit” means a permit issued under Section 43 of the Act;
(d) “gallinaceous bird” means all species of grouse, partridge, pheasant, quail, ptarmigan, wild turkey and the eggs of all such species;
(e) “game bird” means a wild gallinaceous bird or a migratory game bird as defined in the Migratory Birds Convention Act (Canada);
(f) “Migratory Bird Game Hunting Permit” means a permit issued under the Migratory Birds Convention Act (Canada);
(g) “small game” means snowshoe hare, all gallinaceous birds and game birds;
(h) “Small Game Hunting Licence” means a valid base licence which has affixed to it a valid small game hunting stamp;
Clause 2(h) replaced: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99.
(i) “Small Game Hunting Stamp” means a stamp issued by the Department that, when affixed to a valid base licence, confers on the holder the privilege of hunting small game in accordance with the Act and regulations;
Clause 2(i) added: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99.
Type of licences/fees
3 (1) Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may issue a stamp in the following forms at the rates stated:
(a) Resident Small Game Hunting Stamp $17.26
Clause 3(1)(a) replaced: O.I.C. 92-701, N.S. Reg. 142/92; amended: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99; O.I.C. 2015-96, N.S. Reg. 175/2015.
(b) Non-Resident Small Game Hunting Stamp $62.30
Clause 3(1)(b) replaced: O.I.C. 92-701, N.S. Reg. 142/92; amended: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99; O.I.C. 2015-96, N.S. Reg. 175/2015.
Subsection 3(1) amended: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99.
(2) No person shall take, hunt or kill or attempt to take, hunt or kill or possess a game bird unless that person holds a valid Small Game Hunting Licence.
Subsection 3(2) amended: O.I.C. 88-546, N.S. Reg. 120/88.
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where any resident who applies for a Small Game Hunting Stamp has attained the age of sixty-five years or over prior to applying for a licence and furnishes proof of age and residency, the Minister may issue to that person a Resident Senior Citizen Small Game Hunting Stamp at no charge.
Subsection 3(3) amended: O.I.C. 90-845, N.S. Reg. 182/90; O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99.
(4) No Small Game Hunting Licence is required by a resident to take, hunt or kill or attempt to take, hunt or kill snowshoe hare.
(5) Despite subsection (4), no person shall hunt snowshoe hare unless the person is the holder of a base licence.
Subsection 3(5) replaced: O.I.C. 1999-273, N.S. Reg. 60/99.
(6) A Small Game Hunting Licence expires on the last day of the open season prescribed for taking any small game.
(7) A person who does not require a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit is exempt from the requirement to obtain a Small Game Hunting Licence pursuant to subsection (2) on the day designated as “Waterfowler Heritage Day” under the federal Migratory Birds Regulations.
Subsection 3(7) added: O.I.C. 2001-284, N.S. Reg. 72/2001.
Qualifications
4 (1) Any resident eighteen years of age or over may apply for a Resident Small Game Hunting Licence.
Subsection 4(1) amended: O.I.C. 93-829, N.S. Reg. 151/93.
(2) Any non-resident eighteen years of age or over may apply for a Non-Resident Small Game Hunting Licence.
Subsection 4(2) amended: O.I.C. 93-829, N.S. Reg. 151/93.
(3) No Small Game Hunting Licence shall be issued to any person under the age of twelve years.
Subsection 4(3) amended: O.I.C. 97-512, N.S. Reg. 91/97.
(4) No person who is over 12 and under 18 years of age shall hunt small game with a firearm, crossbow or bow unless
(a) the person is certified under the Hunter Education, Safety and Training Regulations made under the Act to hunt with a firearm, crossbow or bow, as applicable;
Clause 4(4)(a) replaced: O.I.C. 2006-365, N.S. Reg. 161/2006; amended: O.I.C. 2013-211, N.S. Reg. 234/2013.
(b) the appropriate licence is acquired by the parent or guardian and the applicant and the parent or guardian both sign the licence; and
(c) the person is under the immediate supervision of their parent or guardian or any other responsible person 18 years of age or older who is certified under the Hunter Education, Safety and Training Regulations made under the Act to hunt with a firearm, crossbow or bow, as applicable.
Clause 4(4)(c) amended: O.I.C. 2013-211, N.S. Reg. 234/2013.
Subsection 4(4) replaced: O.I.C. 2006-365, N.S. Reg. 161/2006; amended O.I.C. 2013-211, N.S. Reg. 234/2013.
(5) A person of any age may snare snowshoe hare.
Subsection 4(5) replaced: O.I.C. 2000-218, N.S. Reg. 66/2000.
Subsection 4(6) added: O.I.C. 90-845, N.S. Reg. 182/90; repealed: O.I.C. 2000-218, N.S. Reg. 66/2000.
Open season for small game
5 (1) The holder of a valid Small Game Hunting Licence or a valid base licence in circumstances permitted by these regulations, may take, hunt or kill or attempt to take, hunt or kill in all counties of the Province and possess any small game listed in subsection (2) or any migratory bird listed in the Migratory Birds Convention Act (Canada) for which there is an open season.
Subsection 5(1) amended: O.I.C. 2000-218, N.S. Reg. 66/2000.
(2) The open seasons for the various species of small game which may be hunted in the Province are as follows:
Species County Open Season
(a) snowshoe hare All counties Nov. 1st to last day of Feb.
Clause 5(2)(a) replaced: O.I.C. 2001-284, N.S. Reg. 72/2001.
(b) ruffed grouse All counties Oct. 1st to Dec. 31st
Clause 5(2)(b) amended: O.I.C. 94-683, N.S. Reg. 140/94.
(c) (i) ring necked Annapolis, Kings, Nov. 1st to Dec. 15th
pheasant (male) Hants Counties
Subclause 5(2)(c)(i) amended: O.I.C. 88-546, N.S. Reg. 120/88.
(ii) ring necked All other counties Oct. 1st to Dec. 15th
pheasant (male)
(2A) Despite clause (2)(a), no person shall hunt snowshoe hare with a dog from November 1st to November 15th inclusive.
Subsection 5(2A) added: O.I.C. 2001-284, N.S. Reg. 72/2001.
(3) Except as provided by the Act or regulations, no person shall take, hunt or kill or attempt to take, hunt or kill or possess a hen pheasant, ptarmigan, Canada grouse (commonly called spruce partridge) or Hungarian partridge.
Subsection 5(3) amended: O.I.C. 90-845, N.S. Reg. 182/90.
Bag limits for small game
6 (1) (a) There is no bag limit for snowshoe hare.
(b) The bag limit for ruffed grouse is five birds per day.
(c) The bag limit for ring necked pheasants (male) is two birds per day.
(2) The bag limits prescribed in subsection (1) do not apply to any game birds taken, hunted or killed on a shooting preserve licensed under the Act, provided such game birds are properly tagged.
Possession limits for small game
7 (1) No person shall possess, at any time, carcasses of ruffed grouse or ring necked pheasant (male) greater than twice the daily bag limit prescribed in Section 6.
(2) (a) Subject to subsection (1), no person shall possess or transport a ring necked pheasant unless at least one fully feathered wing and the tail are attached to the bird.
(b) The wing and tail may be removed from the ring necked pheasant when the bird is prepared for immediate cooking or after the bird is taken to the residence of its owner for preservation.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to game birds taken, hunted or killed on a shooting preserve licensed under the Act, provided such game birds are properly tagged.
(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to game birds possessed by a person holding a valid Dog Field Trial Permit issued under Section 43 of the Act.
Section 8 repealed: O.I.C. 90-845, N.S. Reg. 182/90.
Retrieving small game
9 A person who kills, cripples or injures small game shall
(a) immediately make every reasonable effort to retrieve the small game; and
(b) if the small game retrieved is alive, immediately kill it and include it in their daily bag limit.
Snowshoe hare
10 (1) No person shall set any snare for snowshoe hare made of material other than wire commonly known as rabbit wire, not lighter than 20 gauge.
(2) No person shall use a body gripping trap or leg hold trap to take, hunt or kill or attempt to take, hunt or kill snowshoe hare.
Hunting methods and equipment
11 No person shall use any snare, net or trap to hunt, take or kill or attempt to take, hunt or kill a game bird.
Section 11 replaced: O.I.C. 88-546, N.S. Reg. 120/88.
Storage permits
12 (1) Any Small Game Hunting Licence issued pursuant to these regulations or base licence issued pursuant to regulations made under the Act shall serve as a valid storage permit to the holder thereof to store the meat of small game until April 30th of the year following.
Subsection 12(1) amended: O.I.C. 2000-218, N.S. Reg. 66/2000.
(2) After April 30th of the year following, it shall be an offence to store the meat of any small game, including snowshoe hare, without a storage permit issued by the Department.
(3) The Minister may authorize an employee of the Department to issue a permit to store small game as required under these regulations.
Terms/conditions of licence
13 It shall be an offence for any person to contravene any terms and conditions contained in a Small Game Hunting Licence.
Section 14 repealed: O.I.C. 97-512, N.S. Reg. 91/97.
Repeal of old regulations
15 Regulations made by Order in Council 79-837 dated the 10th day of July, 1979, as amended, respecting Hungarian Partridge, Ruffed Grouse, Cock Pheasant and small game and regulations made by Order in Council 79-833 dated the 10th day of July, 1979, as amended, respecting big game and small game licences are rescinded effective on and from the 19th day of August, 1987.
Effective date of new regulations
16 These regulations shall come into force on and after the 19th day of August, 1987.
Last updated: 10-12-2017