Hunting Season in Nova Scotia 2025: Seasons, Bag Limits, and Much More

With the cold of winter starting to seep into Nova Scotia, Canada, hunting enthusiasts are looking forward to the year 2025 for hunting season. However, a successful and ethical game can only be achieved by knowing the current legislation as well as preparing well for hunting. This post is your complete source of information on the hunting season in Nova Scotia in 2025. 

Let’s discuss details related to season dates, bag limits for game animals, and requirements that have to be met before actually going hunting. We aim to extend help to all those hunters out there, whether they’re still learning the ropes or are veteran hunters.

Hunting Season and Bag Limits in Nova Scotia in 2025

In Nova Scotia, hunting seasons are regulated to support wildlife sustainability and offer hunting opportunities. But there’s no particular season for the game, and the dates and bag limits can vary by species, hunting type, and zone.

Seasons When Hunting Is Allowed in Nova Scotia (Furharvesting, Large & Small Game)

Here’s a detailed list of the bag limits and seasons when hunting is allowed in Nova Scotia:

Large Game:

• Deer Hunting Season in Nova Scotia 2025 -

• • Archery and Muzzleloader - Sept. 9 to Dec. 15 with 1 bag limit (Sept. 9 to 21 is bow-only hunting).

  • Youth - Oct. 11 to 19 with 1 bag limit.

  • General - Oct 25 - Dec 7 with 1 bag limit.

Small Game:

• Ring-Necked Pheasant (Male Only)  

• • Nov. 1 to Dec. 15 in Annapolis, Kings and Hants with 2 daily bag limits. In other countries, the dates are the same but the possession limit is 4 birds in total after the first day.

• Hunting and Snaring of Snowshoe Hares 

• • Hunting - Opens on Nov. 1 and closes on Feb. 28, 2025, having no bag restriction for hunting snowshoe hares.

  • Snaring - “Snaring” the snowshoe hares also falls under the same season as “Hunting.”

• Ruffed Grouse - Opens on Oct. 1 and closes on Dec. 31 with a bag limit of 5 grouses per day and a possession limit of 10 ruffed grouses after the first day.

Furharvesting:

• Bear Hunting and Snaring 

• • Hunting - Sept. 9 to Dec. 7 with a bag limit of 1 bear.

  • Snaring - Oct. 1 to Dec. 7 with a bag limit of 2 bears.

• Beaver - Open from Nov. 1 to Mar. 31, 2025, in the counties of Cape Breton, Inverness, Richmond, and Victoria, where the possession limit is 25 beavers. Beavers share the same season in other counties, including Antigonish, Colchester, Cumberland, Guysborough, Halifax, Hants, and Pictou, targeting a bag limit of 20. In the Annapolis, Kings, Lunenburg, Digby Queens, Shelburne, and Yarmouth counties, the hunting season is unchanged as well, and the bag limit is 20 beavers.

• Bobcat - Nov. 1, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025, with a bag limit of 5 bobcats.

• Otter - Nov. 1, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025 (without bag limit).

• Mink, Muskrat, Red Squirrel, Skunk, and Weasel - Nov. 1, 2024, to Mar. 31, 2025 (without bag limit).

• Fox and Coyote - Oct. 15, 2024, to Mar. 31, 2025 (without bag limit).

• Raccoon - 

  • Trapping - Nov. 1, 2024, to Mar 31, 2025 (without bag limit).

  • Hunting - Oct. 15, 2024, to Mar. 31, 2025 (without bag limit).

Other Harvesatble Wildlife:

• Crow - Sept. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025 (without bag limit).

• Red Squirrel - Nov. 1, 2024, to Feb. 28, 2025 (without bag limit).

Hunting Season For Migratory Birds in Nova Scotia 2025

Following are details for the hunting season in Nova Scotia in 2025 for migratory birds according to the zone they’re found in:

Zone 1: (Antigonish, Pictou, Colchester, Cumberland, Hants, Kings, and Annapolis)

• Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Scoters, and Eiders (combined) -

• • Oct. 1 to Nov. 1 with a bag limit of 5/day (max 4 Scoters), and a total of 10 birds in possession (max 4 Eiders, 8 Scoters). But this is not an open season for Eiders.

  • Nov. 2 to Dec. 31 with a bag limit of 5/day (max 2 Eiders (1 female) and max 4 Scoters), and a total of 10 birds in possession.

  • Jan. 1 to 15 with a bag limit of 5/day (max 4 Scoters), and without Eiders.

• Other Ducks (Excluding Harlequin Ducks) - Oct. 1 to Jan. 15 with a bag limit of 6/day (max 1 Barrow’s Goldeneye), and a total of 18 ducks in possession.

• Geese -

• • Sept. 1 to 15 with a bag limit of 5/day (+5 Canada/Cackling Geese), a total of 20 geese in possession.

  • Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 with a bag limit of 5/day.

• Woodcock - Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 with a bag limit of 8/day, and a total of 16 woodcocks in possession.

• Snipe - Oct. 1 to Nov, 30 with a bag limit of 10/day, and a total of 20 snipes in possession.

Zone 2: (Digby, Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens, Lunenburg, Halifax, Guysborough, Cape Breton, Victoria, Inverness, and Richmond):

• Mergansers, Long-tailed Ducks, Scoters, and Eiders (combined) 

• • Oct. 8 to Nov. 1 with a bag limit of 5/day (max 4 Scoters) and a total of 10 birds in possession (max 4 Eiders and 8 Scoters). This is not an open season for Eiders.

  • Nov. 2 to Dec. 31 with a bag limit of 5/day (max 2 Eiders (1 female) and max 4 Scoters), and a total of 10 birds in possession.

  • Jan. 1 to 22, with a bag limit of 5/day (max 4 Scoters), and no Eiders.

• Other Ducks (excluding Harlequin Ducks) - Oct. 8 to Jan. 22 with a bag limit of 6/day (max 1 Barrow’s Goldeneye), and a total of 18 ducks in possession.

• Geese -

• • Sept. 1 to 15 with a bag limit of 5/day (+5 Canada/Cackling Geese), and a total of 20 geese in possession.

  • Oct. 16 to Jan. 15 with a bag limit of 5/day.

• Woodcock - Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 with a bag limit of 8/day, and a total of 16 woodcocks in possession.

• Snipe - Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 with a bag limit of 10/day, and a total of 20 snipes in possession.

Nova Scotia Hunting Regulations In 2025

The Nova Scotia hunting regulations in 2025, including general rules, are the same for each hunter, which include:

• It’s necessary for all hunters to obtain a Wildlife Resources Card (WRC).

• New hunters must undergo safety instructions with hunting classes before getting to use guns or a crossbow. The Firearms Safety course includes instructions to use firearms safely and also comes with both a practical and written test (pass mark: 80%). 

Following this test, hunters must also undertake another course. It’s offered by the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and is referred to as the Atlantic Provinces Hunter Education Course. The course includes a written test that must be completed with at least 80% passing marks. 

• Once training is complete, hunters can apply for a Wildlife Resources Client Card to get a hunting license. 

• Hunters under 18 need a Minor’s Firearm License.

• Report harvests online through the harvest report system.

• If you’re hunting for migratory birds, a specific hunting permit is required. It should also include a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp. Both documents are federally issued and valid across Canada.

• Lead shot is prohibited for hunting all types of species, including migratory birds and upland game birds, in National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) where hunting is allowed. However, you can use lead shots for hunting woodcock in NWAs. In areas outside NWAs, the use of lead shots is not encouraged, but it’s also not explicitly banned.

Other hunting regulations in Nova Scotia are different based on the species of game animal. Here’s a detailed outlook:

Furharvesting Animals

• Furharvester Licenses - The Furharvester licenses are only for Nova Scotia residents.

• Card & Certification - Applicants must have a Wildlife Resources Card with FQ or FT certification.

• Stamps - Hunting raccoons requires Wildlife Habitat and Furharvester Stamps. If you want to get a bear snaring stamp, you must be a Nova Scotia resident, 16+ years old, and have FT or FQ certification on your WRC. A “resident” in Nova Scotia means anyone who has lived in the province for at least two months, including certain officials or military members stationed in the area.

• Exceptions - Raccoons caught accidentally in traps set for foxes or coyotes before raccoon season may be kept. But accidentally caught animals like Lynx, Marten, and Fisher must be released or reported and turned in to an NRR office. However, one fisher caught in a legal trap for another species can be kept, but the carcass must be turned in, and the pelt stamped at an NRR office.

• Restrictions - Hunting bears with rifles, shotguns, or muzzleloaders is prohibited in the Moose Management Zones 2, 3, and 4 from Sept. 9 to Oct. 15 in 2025.

Large Game 

• Deer Hunting Requirements - Hunters aged 16–18 can hunt deer with a General Deer Hunting Stamp. Furthermore, Antlerless Deer Stamps by zone are available online at wrs.novascotia.ca/DeerDraw/ddzones.asp.

Small Game

• Requirements - For those in Nova Scotia who would seek to hunt snowshoe hares, there is a need for a Wildlife Habitat Stamp. While non-residents need both a Wildlife Habitat Stamp and a Non-Resident Small Game Stamp. Ruffed grouse and ring-necked pheasant will also need a Small Game Stamp.

• Restrictions - Hunting snowshoe hares with dogs is banned from Nov 1–15. 

Other Harvestable Wildlife

The Nova Scotia hunting rules require a Wildlife Habitat Stamp to hunt other harvestable wildlife like coyotes, bullfrogs, crows, and red squirrels.

Migratory Game Birds

• Online Permit - Hunters can buy and print their Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) Permit online. Moreover, permits must be in physical or PDF format (not photos) and shown to game officers upon request.

• Youth Permit - Youth under 18 can get a free Youth MGBH Permit online to hunt during open and conservation seasons with a mentor. In addition, mentors with a prior MGBH permit can supervise up to two youth hunters and may also hunt. You can visit the Government of Canada Migratory Game Bird Hunting site for details.

• Consultation - A national consultation process allows input on hunting regulations through reports on migratory bird populations. Visit the Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Series on the Government of Canada website for details.

Moose Hunting Restrictions

The Cape Breton moose hunt is banned and aims to aid recovery. It’s suspended for three years to protect the declining population, which fell from 1,500 to 835 in 2024.

Sunday Hunting Restrictions

Hunting on Sunday is limited to the two Sundays immediately following the last Friday in October. In those days, hunting is allowed for all harvestable species.

Penalties For Nova Scotia Hunting In 2025

In Nova Scotia, the Wildlife Act and regulations govern hunting and outline penalties for violations. Below are details for hunting penalties in 2025:

Penalties For Hunting Migratory Birds

Federal game officers are responsible for implementing measures contained in the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) in the cause of wildlife management. They control affairs such as hunting, and they may warn the violator, penalize, issue a ticket, or prosecute the offenders. 

The penalties will depend on the severity of the violation. The fines for first offenders in case of violation of any of the designated sections of the MBCA are $5000-$300,000 or up to six months imprisonment or both.

Major Fines

Some severe punishments in Nova Scotia include the following charges:

• Hunting or trapping in a closed area ($352.50).

• Hunting without a valid license in the area ($237.50). 

• If you go on to exceed the bag limits or disturb any wildlife simply to prevent hunting, you can earn a fine of $2,422.50 and $237.50, respectively. For more details, visit the Nova Scotia Regulations Schedule.

What to Prepare Before Going Hunting in Nova Scotia 2025

Prior to heading for hunting in Nova Scotia in 2025, you must make preparations to have a comfortable trip. There are certain steps you’ll need to make, such as the following, so as not to have any disruptions while hunting in Nova Scotia:

• Licenses and Permits - Check the game licenses and permits for the particular species of the game you intend to hunt. Also, look for other licenses that you’ll require for hunting big game or migratory birds.
• Basic Hunter Education - New hunters or those who need certification must undergo the Canadian Fire Arms Safety Code and Atlantic Hunter Education Program.
• Hunting Regulations - You’ll need a refresher on the Hunting & Furharvesting regulations including when to hunt, how many to hunt, and where.
• Gather Your Gear - Be sure that you possess ammo, apparel, communication and navigation tools, first aid kits, and survival equipment.
• Plan Your Hunt - Learn about your hunting location as weather, especially since the winter season in Nova Scotia is not stable.
• Pack Food - For your hunting trip, you should make sure you have something that you can snack on to keep you going throughout the trip. Beef jerky contains lots of protein and replaces lost sodium, while the granola bars contain the right combination of carbohydrates and proteins as well as fats. Nuts are also an excellent source of fat and fiber in addition to protein. In addition, nut butter packs are also a tasty spread for fruits or rice cakes.
• Bring a Portable Power Station - Bring a portable power station to power up GPS units and smartphones to make certain you have navigation and communication in remote locations. Cold weather performance is another benefit, as portable power stations are designed to work in low temperatures. 

For instance, the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station offers 2,073.6Wh capacity and 2,600W output. This is enough to power up your hunting gear such as heating equipment or portable lights. In addition, it can provide juice to your GPS, cell phone, and other communication devices all day, which is crucial for safety, especially in unpredictable winter weather. 

With TurboBoost Charging, it reaches 80% in just 1 hour. Besides, you can charge it while heading to a hunting location in your vehicle with an alternator charger like the BLUETTI Charger 1. It offers 6x faster charging than a traditional car charger and comes with safety features to prevent overheating, short circuits, etc.

• Follow Safety Precautions - Be safety conscious. Let someone know where and when you are hunting. Besides, always carry a whistle or any other signal for emergencies and ascertain that your cell phone is fully charged if the service is going to be relevant.

Conclusion

The hunting season in Nova Scotia 2025 requires specific regulations based on the wildlife you’re hunting. So, make certain you have the necessary Wildlife Resources Card (WRC) and any required permits. Big game hunters must also complete safety courses, while migratory bird hunters need a Migratory Game Bird Hunting (MGBH) Permit.

Remember, hunting seasons and bag limits vary by species, hunting type, and zone. Moreover, always follow safety guidelines, share your plans with someone, and be ready for unpredictable weather with the right gear.

A BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station would be a great addition to your hunting equipment. It will keep your GPS and communication devices charged all day while you’re off hunting in off-grid areas. In addition, you can use an alternator charger such as the BLUETTI Charger 1, to quickly recharge it in your vehicle along the way.

FAQs

What are the dates for deer hunting season in Nova Scotia?

The deer hunting season in Nova Scotia is dependent on the types of deer, thus, it can vary. But the general season is from October 25 to December 7, every year.

Can you hunt on Sunday in Nova Scotia in 2024?

Yes. You can hunt on the first two Sundays, on Nov. 3 and Nov. 10, of the deer season in Nova Scotia with all kinds of wildlife, besides moose.

How far from a dwelling can you hunt in Nova Scotia?

Unless you have the owner’s permission or written approval from a conservation officer you cannot place traps for hunting in Nova Scotia within 274 meters of a dwelling. However, some traps, like box traps and certain live traps, are allowed closer with the owner’s permission. But you still need to place them at least 182 meters from other buildings or public spaces.

Do you have to wear orange when hunting in Nova Scotia?

All persons afield with a gun or with another person having a gun must wear a hunter orange or camouflage orange hat, shirt, jacket, or vest. This also applies to rabbit hunters and those snaring or trapping. However, this rule doesn’t apply to hunters in specific situations.