Complete Expert Guide to Changes from 2025 (Moose, Deer, Small Game & Draw Systems)

Last Updated: February 2026

Quebec Hunting Regulations 2026 If you hunt in Québec, 2026 marks one of the biggest regulatory shifts in decades.

Moose rules changed.
Deer harvest limits expanded.
Random draw systems increased.
ZEC bag limits tightened.
Commercial moose urine disappeared.

Whether you’re a lifelong hunter or planning your first Québec season, this guide explains exactly what changed from 2025 to 2026, why it happened, and how to stay legal.

This article is built using official information from:

• Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
• Société des établissements de plein air du Québec
• Environment and Climate Change Canada

Everything below is hunter-focused, and field-practical

Table of Contents – Quebec Hunting Regulations 2026

1. How Québec Hunting Regulations Work
2. Major Changes from 2025 to 2026 (Quick Summary)
3. Moose Hunting Reform Explained
4. Antler less Moose Draw System
5. ZEC Moose Limits
6. Moose Urine Ban
7. White-Tailed Deer Changes
8. Small Game Seasons
9. Black Bear Updates
10. Migratory Bird Regulations
11. Random Draws & Wildlife Reserves
12. Why These Changes Were Made
13. Practical Hunter Checklist
14. FAQ (Featured Snippet Section)
15. Final Thoughts

How Québec Hunting Regulations 2026 Work

Québec operates on multi-year regulation cycles.

Ontario Parksticks

That means:

• 2025 followed the same printed regulations
• Updates were published online as “Main New Measures”
• Fall 2026 introduces a new management framework

This is important because many changes were announced in 2025 but only fully take effect in 2026.

Hunters who miss this detail often misunderstand the new rules.

Major Changes from 2025 to 2026 (Quick Summary) -Quebec Hunting Regulations 2026

Here’s the fast version:

Now let’s go deeper.

Moose Hunting Changes

End of Permissive vs Restrictive Years

For decades Québec alternated:

• Permissive years
• Restrictive years

Starting fall 2026:

👉 This system is eliminated in most zones.

Instead, Québec now uses:

• Annual stability
• Antler less draw permits
• Zone-specific quotas

This makes regulations predictable and biologically precise.

Antler less Moose Now Requires a Draw – Quebec Hunting Regulations 2026

This is the single most important change.

Beginning 2026:

• Adult females AND calves are officially classified as antler less moose
• Harvesting them requires winning a random draw permit
• Standard licences allow bulls only

Why?

Because females control population growth.

This allows wildlife managers to directly regulate herd size.

ZEC Moose Limits: One Moose Per Three Hunters

Réseau ZEC territories now impose:

1 moose per 3 hunters per season

This applies to many ZECs.

It prevents:

• Overharvest
• Camp monopolization
• Population collapse

Groups must coordinate tags.

Moose Urine Commercial Ban

Effective April 2026:

• Commercial sale banned
• Importation banned

Hunters may still use urine from personally harvested animals.

This is strictly a bio security measure to reduce disease transmission.

Synthetic scents remain legal.

White-Tailed Deer (Cerf de Virginie)

Two Deer in One Zone (With Conditions)

In select zones:

Hunters may now harvest two deer in the same zone IF:

• One is an adult male
• All licence rules are followed

This helps manage high-density deer populations.

Wildlife Reserve Draw Expansion

Société des établissements de plein air du Québec now allocates most prime hunts through random draws.

Registration typically runs:

• December → January

This applies to moose and deer.

Small Game Seasons

4

Small game remains zone-based with:

• Weapon-specific dates
• Daily bag limits
• Seasonal adjustments

Always confirm:

• Firearm vs archery windows
• Local restrictions

Black Bear

4

Black bear seasons continue:

• Spring
• Fall (zone dependent)

Emphasis remains on:

• Mandatory reporting
• Baiting compliance
• Weapon periods

Migratory Birds (Federal Law)

4

All migratory birds are governed federally by:

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Hunters need:

• Federal permit
• Habitat stamp

2026 proposals include Sandhill Crane seasons in parts of Québec.

Federal rules override provincial summaries.

Why Québec Changed the System

Four core reasons:

1. Population Stability

Better control of breeding females.

2. Fair Hunter Access

Random draws prevent territory monopolization.

3. Disease Prevention

Urine ban reduces pathogen transport.

4. Long-Term Sustainability

Data-driven harvest management.

Hunter Checklist for 2026

✅ Know Your Zone

Everything depends on it.

✅ Enter Draws Early

December–January.

✅ Adjust Moose Strategy

No antler less without draw.

✅ Replace Urine Attractants

Synthetic only.

✅ Check Federal Bird Rules

Every season.

FAQ (Optimized for Google Snippets)

Is moose urine illegal in Quebec in 2026?

Commercial sale and importation are banned, but hunters may use urine from personally harvested animals.

Do calves count as antler less moose?

Yes. Starting 2026, calves are officially classified as antler less and require draw permits.

Can I harvest two deer in Quebec?

Yes — in select zones, provided one is an adult male.

Are moose hunts now draw-only?

Only antler less moose require draws. Bulls remain available under standard licences.

When do wildlife reserve draws open?

Typically December through January.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Québec hunting regulations represent the most modernized wildlife system the province has ever implemented.

Yes — there’s more planning.

But there’s also:

• Healthier herds
• Fairer access
• Better conservation
• Predictable seasons

These changes protect hunting for future generations.

Always verify final details with:

• Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs
• Société des établissements de plein air du Québec
• Environment and Climate Change Canada