Hunting

Exercising Treaty Rights in Saskatchewan
An individual exercising the Treaty right to hunt, fish and trap for food in Saskatchewan must:
1. be a registered Indian, as defined by the Government of Canada's Indian Act;
2. carry a valid Certificate of Indian Status; and
3. be a member of a First Nation signatory to Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 10, or a First Nation located within Saskatchewan that has not signed a Treaty.

What's New in 2021?

Quota-Limited Antlerless Mule Deer: The ministry has reviewed the allocation structure of antlerless mule deer licences across Saskatchewan, and a new quota-limited antlerless mule deer licence is now available in select wildlife management zones (WMZs) where draw applications in the past two years have been lower than the available quota (WMZs 3, 7E, 7W, 8, 11, 12, 14W). This new licence is available on a first-come, first-served basis through your HAL account. See page 24 of the guide for details.

Quota-Limited Antlerless White-tailed Deer (Second Licence): Additional second antlerless white-tailed deer licences will be offered for combined WMZs in select regions of the province for 2021. Second antlerless licences will be available for either combined WMZs 1, 2E, 2W, 3-6, 7E, 7W, 8-13, 14E, 14W and 19 (SW); or 33-35, 37 and 39 (E); or WMZ 55 on a first-come, first-served basis through your HAL account. See page 28 of the guide for details.

Hunting, Angling and Trapping Licence (HAL) System Audits: Over the past year, the ministry conducted an audit to assess compliance with The Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Regulations, 2009 for licences purchased through the online HAL system. The ministry will continue to periodically audit our licence programming to ensure regulations are being followed. It is your responsibility to understand any and all eligibility requirements prior to applying for or purchasing licences. Any suspected fraudulent account activity will be investigated and charges laid, as appropriate.

Use of Motorized Wheelchairs for Hunting: Previously, certain motorized devices used by hunters with mobility impairments met the definition of an all-terrain vehicle in the regulations. The ministry has amended the definition of an all-terrain vehicle so that motorized devices used by hunters with mobility impairments are excluded. Hunters will no longer have to obtain a permit to use a motorized wheelchair, used in day-to-day activities, for hunting.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD): CWD has been detected in 56 WMZs and is widespread south of the boreal forest across Saskatchewan. Prevalence rates in mule deer and white-tailed deer continue to increase in endemic areas. The disease has been detected in elk and there have been sporadic cases in moose. It has not yet been detected in caribou. For the 2021-22 surveillance season, the ministry is accepting sample submissions province-wide, and is requesting samples from target zones 2W, 9, 10, 35, 37, as well as boreal transition zones 50 and 55 to meet surveillance objectives. Hunters can help reduce spread of CWD by avoiding the use of bait and minerals, quartering and deboning their meat in the field and disposing of waste in a licensed landfill that accepts big game carcasses. For more information on CWD and the 2021 CWD Surveillance Program, visit Chronic Wasting Disease.

Mandatory Hunter Harvest Surveys: Completion of hunter harvest surveys is now mandatory. Hunter harvest surveys are critical in helping evaluate game populations. The 2021 hunting season will be another year for hunters to familiarize themselves with these surveys. Surveys can be completed by signing on to your HAL account or calling ASPIRA at 1-888-773-8450. More information on hunter harvest surveys and survey dates can be found at saskatchewan.ca/hunter-harvest-survey.

Changes for 2022

Wildlife Management Fee: Hunter harvest surveys are essential for making management decisions, maintaining healthy wildlife populations and protecting future hunting opportunities. Completion of hunter harvest surveys is now mandatory. The ministry will be implementing a wildlife management fee of $20 that will apply to hunters who fail to complete their hunter harvest survey. Implementing the fee is intended to improve completion rates. Hunters following the conditions of their licence, and who submit their survey(s) prior to the completion deadline, will not be affected. A portion of the fees collected (30 per cent) will be directed to the Fish and Wildlife Development Fund (FWDF) to support wildlife and habitat management in Saskatchewan. Hunters are reminded it is now a legal requirement to complete the survey(s) and something you have agreed to do by purchasing your licence.

Buy a Hunting Licence

Buy a hunting, angling or trapping licence through HAL – the government's hunting, angling and trapping licence system.

Regulations

Regulations that apply to hunting and trapping in Saskatchewan are The Wildlife Act, 1998; The Wildlife Regulations, 1981; The Open Season Game Regulations, 2009; The Wildlife Management Zones and Special Areas Boundaries Regulations, 1990; The Fur Animals Open Seasons Regulations, The Firearm Safety/Hunter Education Regulations, 2009, The Dog Training Regulations 1982, the Outfitter and Guide Regulations 2004; The Migratory Birds Convention act, 1994; and The Migratory Birds Regulations. A summary of the regulations is available, and hunters should review the document.