Hunting Licences

Hunting licences are available to those who meet the following general requirements, in addition to the residency-specific requirements below:

• 10 years of age or older
• Hold a valid FWID
• Not suspended or prohibited from holding a licence under the Wildlife Act

On this page

• Types of hunting licences
• Digital licensing
• Purchasing a hunting licence
• Licence fees
• Refunds

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Types of hunting licences

There are 4 types of hunting licences available in B.C.:

• B.C. Resident Hunting Licence
• Non-Resident/Non-Resident Alien Hunting Licence
• Initiation Hunting Licence
• Youth Hunting Licence

B.C. Resident Hunting Licence

B.C Resident Hunting Licence is available to those who meet the following requirements:

• Have a B.C. Residency Credential
• Have a hunting credential

Seniors (65 years of age or older) are eligible for a B.C. Resident Hunting Licence at a reduced cost.

Non-Resident Hunting Licence

Non-residents are required to hold a hunting licence to hunt in British Columbia. For more information, visit Non-Resident Hunting.

The following licences are available to non-residents:

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Digital licensing

Hunting licences in British Columbia are electronic. Digital licences include: resident, non-resident, non-resident alien, initiation and youth licences. You can choose to print these licences from your Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) profile but it is not required.

You can regularly buy your licences online through WILD, or in person at a FrontCounter BC office or Service BC office. These purchasing methods are currently impacted by job action. Licences may be available at certain vendor locations.

Species licences are issued on waterproof, tearproof paper and cannot be printed by hunters. All current year species licences must be carried while hunting. Species licences regularly issued over the counter at FrontCounter BC offices, Service BC offices or by mail if purchased online through WILD are currently impacted by job action. Species licences may be available at certain vendor locations.

When you buy a licence, the licence information is associated to your online FWID profile. Conservation Officers can access your FWID profile on their mobile devices or on their in-car computers, allowing them to view your credentials, licences, permit to accompany and limited entry hunting authorizations. Your species licence also has a barcode that can be scanned, allowing the Conservation Officer to verify if the licence is valid.

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Purchasing a hunting licence

Hunting licences can be purchased:

• Online through WILD
• In person at:
  • FrontCounter BC offices
  • Service BC offices
  • Vendor locations
• Through your guide outfitter or a resident hunter who holds a permit to accompany you to hunt

Licence purchasing at FrontCounter BC and Service BC offices, and through WILD, is currently impacted by job action. Licences may be available at certain vendor locations.

Conditions of a hunting licence:  In addition to all general licence conditions, if hunting deer in Region 4, please view your issued electronic hunting licences for licence conditions related to Chronic Wasting Disease. Directions for submission of white tailed deer or mule deer for testing can be found on the Chronic Wasting Disease Testing webpage.

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Licence fees

Prices listed below show the licence fee and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) surcharge. Prices do not include 5% GST.

B.C. Resident Hunting Licence fees

B.C. Resident Hunting Licence fees

Licence type	Fee	HCTF Surcharge
B.C. resident hunting licence	$25	$7
B.C. resident hunting licence, 65 years of age or older	$6	$1
B.C. resident youth licence	$6	$1
B.C. resident initiation licence	$15	$4
Gulf Islands special hunting area licence	$2	$0
Fraser Valley special hunting area licence	$8	$2

Non-Resident Hunting Licence fees 

Non-Resident Hunting Licence fees 

Licence	Fee	HCTF Surcharge
Restricted Non-Resident licence	$53	$22
Unrestricted Non-Resident licence	$53	$22
Restricted Non-Resident Alien licence	$126	$54
Unrestricted Non-Resident Alien licence	$126	$54
Non-resident/non-residen alien youth licence	$6	$1
Gulf Islands special hunting area licence	$2	$0
Fraser Valley special area licence	$8	$2

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Refunds

It is important to review licences to ensure they are correct, prior to completing your purchase. With few exceptions, licences are non-refundable and non-transferable.

For more information on refunds, view the Refund of Fees policy (PDF, 1.13MB). This document contains reference to previous ministers or ministries responsible for wildlife at the time of publication. Periodic transfer of authority for natural resource management may not be reflected in this document.

Refund requests must be received in writing and the licences requested for a refund must be forwarded for review to FishandWildlife@gov.bc.ca with the subject line “Refund Request”.

Refunds will not be issued if you bought a licence and did not use it, or you bought the wrong licence.