Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permits (MGBH) sales continued to decline in 2022.
In fact, 2022 sales were the lowest on record since 2015, when Environment Climate Change Canada (ECCC) started collecting data by province. There were 156,393 MGBH permits sold in 2022, including 49,294 permits sold in Ontario.
“In terms of lower numbers, some factors that are thought to contribute to decreasing trends include a longstanding decline in the number of waterfowl hunters, difficulty getting permission to hunt on private land, and possible concerns about Avian Influenza Virus,” said ECCC spokesperson Hannah Boonstra, adding sales have been decreasing at an average rate of 4% over the last five years.
One of the changes introduced in 2022 was repealing Waterfowler Heritage Days, which allowed hunters under 15 an opportunity to hunt for a day a week before regular opening day. Instead, ECCC introduced a no-charge youth permit.
“ECCC expects this initiative will help to recruit more youth hunters, some of whom will continue to hunt into adulthood,” Boonstra said. “It is likely too soon to determine if the new youth permit translates into more hunters in the long term.”
More than 3,700 Youth MGBH permits were sold in the 2022 season.
