The hunting opportunities listed are for the 2021-22 hunting season.
White-tailed deer Opportunities
Population surveys for white-tailed deer indicate stable or increasing populations throughout most regions of the province. Additional hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer are being offered for 2021. See pages 27 and 28 of the guide for details.
Moose Opportunities
As moose populations in the forest continue to decline, hunting opportunities in all forest WMZs will be bulls-only until populations recover. The draw season for bulls only in WMZs 56-69 is standardized, with a quota of 25 in each WMZ. The ministry is taking steps to better understand forest moose populations and trends, with a survey planned for WMZs 56 and 57 in early 2022. A research project is also planned for fall 2021 in the east-central part of the province, where cow moose will be radiocollared. This will allow wildlife managers to determine cause-specific mortality of cow moose to better inform population management.
Moose populations in the boreal forest transition zone appear to be stable. There are some localized areas in the parkland where moose numbers have declined.
Elk Opportunities
Recent mild winters have benefited elk populations in various regions of the province. Increased elk quotas and late antlerless seasons remain available within a number of WMZs for the 2021 hunting season. In addition to a new draw opportunity in the Regina-Moose Jaw WMZ, quota increases are being offered for either-sex elk in WMZs 5, 6 and 41, and antlerless elk in WMZs 5, 41 and 48. In WMZ 33 (including Moose Mountain Provincial Park), the two-bag limit will continue for draw antlerless elk hunters. Regular elk season dates will remain unchanged from last year.
Mule Deer Opportunities
Mule deer populations are doing well across Saskatchewan, although chronic wasting disease continues to be a significant concern for population health. Survey data suggests mule deer populations are increasing in the parkland and boreal transition regions of the province, resulting in increased quotas and hunting opportunities for either-sex and antlerless mule deer. Quota-limited antlerless mule deer licences will be available on a first-come, first-served basis in some WMZs, available through your HAL account. In addition, draw antlerless mule deer licences will continue to be offered with a bag limit of one or two deer, depending on the WMZ. See pages 23 and 24 of the guide for details.
Regular archery mule deer opportunities will remain unchanged for 2021.
Pronghorn Opportunities
Pronghorn have shown strong population growth across their range, but may be affected by the harsh 2020-21 winter weather conditions. Wildlife managers are proposing to maintain current hunting opportunities in 2021, with either-sex quotas in all eight pronghorn management units – WMZs 1-15, 18, 19 and 23-27. Surveys planned for July will help determine whether quotas will be adjusted this year.
Applications for the pronghorn draw must be submitted during the Big Game Draw in May. However, the pronghorn draw will not be conducted until July. Please check the listed WMZ combinations to ensure you are applying for your preferred hunting areas. Draw results are released immediately after the draw is completed and an email notice will be sent out. The status of the pronghorn draw will also be posted on our website.
Game Birds
Upland game bird populations vary across the province. Sharp-tailed grouse continue to increase in most regions and have reached the threshold to increase bag limits in the southwest. Elsewhere in the province, local pockets may have recovered, but populations generally remain below target levels. Similarly, gray partridge populations continue to increase in most regions, but remain below target levels in zones with a restricted harvest strategy in place. Ring-necked pheasant populations remain stable. Forest grouse populations remain near a low point in their natural cycle. Although spring and summer conditions may have an impact, particularly in southern Saskatchewan, generally waterfowl populations remain at or above target levels across much of the province. Seasons and bag limits remain unchanged, with the exception of an increase to sharp-tailed grouse bag limits in the southwest. Please see pages 35 and 36 of the guide for more information.