Clarification of Goldeneye Definition

The public is invited to comment on the proposed hunting regulation described below.

Status: Proposed

Region: Province-wide

Management unit (MU): Province-wide

Regulation type: Hunting Regulation

Species: Goldeneye Ducks

Closing date: 16:30, March 22, 2024

Decision statement: Pending

Current regulation

From page 12 of the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 18.2MB):

The daily bag limit for ducks in aggregate is 8, except for restricted species: Pintail, Goldeneye, Harlequin, and Canvasback.

The daily bag limit for Canvasback is 4, Northern Pintail is 4, Goldeneyes is 2 and Harlequins is 2. Please see regional sections.

The possession limit for all migratory game birds at all times (including while hunting, returning from hunting or at a residence) is three times the daily limit. For ducks, not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails or Canvasbacks. Not more than 6 may be Goldeneyes or Harlequin.

Proposed regulation

The daily bag limit for ducks in aggregate is 8, except for restricted species: Pintail, Goldeneye, Harlequin, and Canvasback.

The daily bag limit for Canvasback is 4, Northern Pintail is 4, Barrow’s Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye is 2 in any combination, and Harlequins is 2. Please see regional sections.

The possession limit for all migratory game birds at all times (including while hunting, returning from hunting or at a residence) is three times the daily limit. For ducks, not more than 12 may be Northern Pintails or Canvasbacks. Not more than 6 may be Barrow’s Goldeneye or Common Goldeneye in any combination, or Harlequin.

Rationale

This administrative amendment is being proposed to clarify that the bag limit and possession limit for “Goldeneye” ducks applies to Barrow’s Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye ducks only.

The generic term “Goldeneye” can include Barrow’s Goldeneye, Common Goldeneye, and Bufflehead.  When the bag limit and possession limits for “Goldeneye” were first introduced by the federal government in the 1990’s, the intention for the restriction was for it to apply to Barrow’s Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye only, and not Buffleheads which are included in the general bag and possession limits for “ducks”.  This proposal bring provincial regulations inline with the original intent of the bag and possession limit regulation for “Goldeneye”, and is consistent with a similar clarification amendment being proposed by the federal government.  This regulation change will not impact bag limits and possession limits for Barrow’s Goldeneye and Common Goldeneye; it simply clarifies which species are included in the current regulation.

Additional information

N/A