Snowshoe Hare Hunting in Canada

Seasons, zones and bag limits for snowshoe hare in 5 provinces, quoted from each official guide with citations.

Jump to Your Province
5PROVINCES
20SEASON RULES
Small GameCATEGORY
British Columbia Ontario Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island Newfoundland & Labrador

British Columbia

Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis · 2026-2028 – all British Columbia regulations →

Snowshoe Hare

📋 Provincial bag limit 10/day (p. 13).
ZoneSeasonBag / tag limitNotes
MUs 1-14, 1-15Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 21
MUs 2-5 to 2-19Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (Daily)Source: p. 28
MUs 3-12 to 3-20, 3-26 to 3-44Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 34
MUs 4-1 to 4-9, 4-14 to 4-40Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 39
MUs 5-1 to 5-9, 5-12 to 5-15Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 44
MUs 6-1 to 6-30Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 51
MUs 7-2 to 7-18, 7-23 to 7-30, 7-37 to 7-41Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 57
MUs 7-19 to 7-22, 7-31 to 7-36, 7-42 to 7-58Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)Source: p. 63
MUs 8-1 to 8-15, 8-21 to 8-26Aug 1 - Apr 3010 (daily)A person may snare snowshoe hare during the open season with a hunting licence and completed trapper education course; snare must be non-braided and no heavier than 20 gauge (p. 13).Source: p. 68

Ontario

2026 Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary · 2026-2027 – all Ontario regulations →

Snowshoe (Varying) Hare listed as “Snowshoe (Varying) Hare” (ON)

ZoneSeasonBag / tag limitNotes
WMUs 1-50, 53-67, 69BSeptember 15 to March 31Daily limit of 5 and possession limit of 15Source: p. 88
WMUs 68, 69A, 70-95September 25 to the last day of FebruaryDaily limit of 2 and possession limit of 6Source: p. 88

Nova Scotia

2026 Hunting and Fur Harvesting Summary of Regulations · 2026 – all Nova Scotia regulations →

Snowshoe Hare

📋 No person shall hunt snowshoe hare with a dog from Nov 1 to Nov 15 inclusive (pp. 11, 43). A Small Game Hunting Licence is not required by a resident to hunt snowshoe hare, but a Wildlife Habitat Stamp is still required; to hunt hare, residents require a Wildlife Habitat Stamp and HT certification; non-residents require a Wildlife Habitat Stamp and Non-Resident Small Game Stamp (pp. 11, 43). Illegal to use a body gripping trap or leg-hold trap to hunt snowshoe hare (p. 43). During Big Game Season a person can hunt snowshoe hare with any firearm used for big game with valid big game licence and stamp (p. 16, note a).
ZoneSeasonBag / tag limitNotes
Province-wideHunting: Nov 1 2026 – Feb 27 2027NoneSource: p. 11
Province-wideSnaring: Nov 1 2026 – Feb 28 2027NoneA person of any age may snare snowshoe hare; only legal to snare with wire commonly known as rabbit wire, not lighter than 20 gauge (p. 43).Source: p. 11

Prince Edward Island

2026 Hunting Summary · 2026-27 – all Prince Edward Island regulations →

Snowshoe Hare

📋 Game Export Permit required to ship snowshoe hare out of the province; Possession Permit required if pelts are held longer than 5 days after the close of the open season (p. 7, item 15).
ZoneSeasonBag / tag limitNotes
Snowshoe Hare HuntingOct. 1 – Mar. 31Daily bag 5; Possession: '-' = no limitSource: p. 17
Snowshoe Hare Snaring**Nov.1 – Feb. 28'-' = no limit** A Snowshoe Hare Snaring Licence is required ($5, p. 17). Snares must be single strand brass wire of 20 to 24 gauge, loop not greater than 10 cm (4 inch) (p. 8, item 23).Source: p. 17

Newfoundland & Labrador

2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Guide · 2026-27 – all Newfoundland & Labrador regulations →

Snowshoe Hare

ZoneSeasonBag / tag limitNotes
Great Island (Island)Shooting: Oct 3/26-Dec 27/26; Snaring: Oct 3/26-Dec 27/26Possession Limit: 40Source: Hunting Seasons and Zones > Island > Small Game (web section)
Little Bay Islands (Island)Shooting: Oct 3/26-Nov 1/26; Snaring: Oct 3/26-Nov 1/26Possession Limit: 40Source: Hunting Seasons and Zones > Island > Small Game (web section)
Bell IslandCLOSED (shooting and snaring)CLOSEDBell Island is closed to shooting and snaring of snowshoe hare.Source: Hunting Seasons and Zones > Island > Small Game (web section)
Remainder of IslandShooting: Oct 3/26-Mar 14/27; Snaring: Oct 3/26-Mar 14/27Possession Limit: 40Source: Hunting Seasons and Zones > Island > Small Game (web section)
All of LabradorShooting: Oct 1/26-Apr 20/27; Snaring: Oct 1/26- Mar 31/27No LimitSource: Hunting Seasons and Zones > Labrador > Small Game (web section)

More species

Browse the full Canadian game species guide →

Snowshoe Hare seasons, in your pocket.

Zone maps, season reminders and every guide on your phone, free for the 2026 hunting season.

Download on Google Play Download on the App Store