Who counts as a resident?
- Canadian citizens: you have lived in the province for 6 consecutive months before applying.
- Everyone else, including permanent residents: 12 consecutive months.
Residency rules change and have exceptions (military, RCMP, students, diplomats). Confirm with the provincial or territorial licensing office before buying a resident licence. Applying for one you aren't entitled to is an offence.
Courses you need
- Complete the Firearm Safety / Hunter Education course to get a Hunter Certificate Number, which you'll need to buy licences.
- Gun hunters also need a PAL: pass the federal Canadian Firearms Safety Course, then apply to the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program. Processing takes weeks. Bow hunters don't need one.
Buying your licence
- Big game (moose, caribou, black bear) is licensed through the resident draw on the province's Wildlife Information Management System. The deadline is around May 1.
- Small game licences are sold by vendors with ID such as an NL driver's licence.
Good to know in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Until you're a resident, you need a licensed guide to hunt big game.
- Seasons and bag limits by zone: Newfoundland and Labrador hunting regulations.
- The full step-by-step path: Hunting in Canada: a newcomer's guide.
How TrueNorthHunter helps
- Your zone, by GPS: see which hunting zone you're in, even offline.
- Seasons and rules for that zone, taken from the official regulations.
- Public land layers such as Crown land, parks and closures, plus community sightings and daily hunting forecasts.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to live in Newfoundland and Labrador before I can hunt as a resident?
Canadian citizens: you have lived in the province for 6 consecutive months before applying.
Can I hunt before I qualify as a resident?
Often, yes, on a non-resident licence. It costs more and may be limited to small game or require a licensed guide. Check the province or territory's non-resident rules.