Increase white-tailed deer hunting opportunity
Last updated on January 12, 2026The public is invited to comment on the proposed hunting regulation described below.
Status: Proposed
Region: Region 6, Skeena
Management unit (MU): 6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30
Regulation type: Hunting
Species: White-tailed deer
Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT
Current regulation:
From Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis (PDF, 14MB) page 50:
|
Species |
MU |
Class |
Season dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed deer |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Bucks |
September 10 to Nov 30 |
|
*Youth only |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Bucks |
September 1 to September 9 |
|
Bow only |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Bucks |
September 1 to September 9 |
|
Bow only |
6-3, 6-7 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Either sex |
December 1 to December 20 |
*Restricted to hunters under the age of 18
Proposed regulation:
|
Species |
MU |
Class |
Season dates |
|---|---|---|---|
|
White-tailed deer |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Bucks |
September 10 to December 10 |
|
*Youth only |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Bucks |
September 1 to September 9 |
|
Bow only |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Bucks |
September 1 to September 9 |
|
|
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Antlerless |
October 10 - October 31 |
|
Bow only |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Either sex |
December 1 to December 20 |
|
*Youth only |
6-1 to 6-11, 6-14, 6-15, 6-30 |
Either sex |
December 1 to December 20 |
*Restricted to hunters under the age of 18
Rationale:
In the Skeena region, hunter survey data indicates that white-tailed deer populations have been increasing since the 1980s. This population growth is likely caused by favourable changes to habitat and climate change. These drivers of population growth are expected to continue and further population growth is also anticipated. This regulation would increase hunting opportunities to help manage growing white-tailed deer population in the southern portion of the Skeena region.
In addition to creating more hunting opportunities, the proposed changes would better align regulations across management units, including bow-only and youth-only seasons, and bring season dates closer to those in other regions. Increasing the harvest of antlerless deer is not expected to stop white-tailed deer population growth, but it has the potential to slow the rate of increase. Increased harvest of white-tailed deer may also help competition with mule deer.