How to Hunt in British Columbia

The British Columbia government's Ministry of the Environment oversees the province's hunting and fishing regulations. You can hunt a fantastic range of exotic wildlife in British Columbia, from wolverines and bobcats to caribou and bison.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Ammunition
• Hunter education training
• Hunting rifle(s)
• British Columbia hunting permit or license

1. Remember that there are certain designated areas of British Columbia that require a special license. A normal license permits residents to bear firearms for the purposes of hunting wildlife, and it is available to senior citizens over age 65 at a significant discount. However, you'll need special permission from the British Columbia government to hunt in the Fraser Valley or Gulf Islands areas of B.C.
2. Take a Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) class from the British Columbia government if you are a B.C. resident looking to obtain a hunting license. The courses teach firearms and wildlife safety, as well as a variety of skills useful to hunters and outdoorsmen.
3. Apply for a species license if you are a British Columbia resident looking to hunt specific prey. The government vends permits for black and grizzly bears, caribou, cougars, deer, elk, moose, mountain goats and sheep, bison, bobcats, lynx, wolverines, elk and 5 species of deer.
4. Hire a registered guide if you are visiting British Columbia to go hunting. This is required by the B.C. government. You must also apply to the B.C. Ministry of the Environment to receive a non-resident hunting permit.
5. Read the British Columbia Hunting and Trapping Synopsis, available from the Fish and Wildlife branch of the B.C. Ministry of the Environment (see Resources below). It outlines seasonal regulations, as well as specific information for 8 hunting regions of British Columbia.
6. Enjoy your British Columbia hunting experience! Make sure you stick to legal lands, as outlined in the Hunting and Trapping Synopsis, and always make sure to prevent accidents by observing proper hunting safety practices.

Tips & Warnings

• Canada has strict gun-control laws. If you are visiting Canada from the United States, take the time to make sure you conform to protocol if you wish to bring your own hunting rifles across the border. Check with the Canadian Firearms Centre for current regulations.
• Know and obey all hunting laws. Canada has particularly strict laws protecting Canadian geese from poachers.
• Take a hunting safety course to reduce the possibility of hunting accidents, which frequently cause serious injury or death.