Opportunities for the disabled to hunt and fish have grown widely in the last few years. Search by province below to see adaptations provincial agencies have made for the disabled. If the province you are looking into does a lot, thank the local lawmakers. If they don't, tell them to get on the ball!
*I have pulled all of the following either from the provincial
websites or had information sent to me from the respective provincial offices
so it should all be accurate. Only use my information as a guide, however, as
rules often change.
** Remember that all hunting visitors must file a Firearms Declaration Form
to bring a gun into Canada. The Non-Resident Firearms Declaration (Form JUS
909 E/F), and it's continuation sheet (Form JUS 910 E/F) must be presented in
triplicate, unsigned, to a Canada Customs officer at your first point of entry
into Canada. These forms and further information can be found at Non Resident Firearm Declaration
Click on the name below or scroll down to see what that particular providence provides for the disabled.
Special permits and licenses for mobility-impaired hunters are available to assist an individual in hunting. Most mobility-impaired hunters are individuals who hunted prior to becoming disabled, but as a result of illness or accident, they are physically unable to hunt under the general rules and regulations. Eligible participants must comply with all applicable rules and regulations. Please refer to the current Alberta Guide To Hunting Regulations booklet for more information.
Special Permits Offered:
Official website :https://mywildalberta.ca/hunting/regulations/Default.aspx
Disabled hunters can inquire about permits to hunt from vehicles by calling the Permit and Authorization Service Bureau at 1-866-433-7272.
Angling License Fee Reduction Program for Disabled Residents of
British Columbia. In this program, any British Columbia Resident who is severely
and permanently disabled, may apply for a Non-Tidal Angling License at the reduced
fee of $1.07.
Note: Licenses are not required for anglers under 16 years of age. The fee reduction
is for the annual Non-Tidal Angling License ONLY. It does not entitle the applicant
to a reduction on Conservation Surcharge Stamps or the Classified Waters License.
Official website : http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/
A person with a permanent disability who is unable to walk more than 50 metres due to the nature of the disability, or to inordinate pain, harm to health or risk to safety caused by the disability, may be eligible for a permit. This will authorize the use of a vehicle in a GHA in which such vehicle use connected with big game hunting is normally restricted or prohibited. A permit holder who is paraplegic or otherwise permanently confined to a wheelchair may also be authorized to discharge a firearm from a vehicle. A permit holder must hunt within 50 metres of the vehicle and may not travel more than one kilometre off a designated route except to retrieve an animal. Application forms may be obtained from any Manitoba Conservation regional or district office or the application form can be downloaded and printed. A medical doctor must certify the disability. Applications should be submitted well in advance of the time they intend to hunt. A copy of this permit is available at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/wildlife/legislation/pdf/disabled_appfrm2.pdf
Official website:
https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/fish_and_wildlife/index.html
If you are the holder of a disabled hunter permit from your state either because you are a paraplegic or a single or double amputee of the legs, the Province will recognize and accept your out-of-province hunting permit. If you are a holder of a permit for any other disabilities, they may or may not be considered valid in New Brunswick due to the wide range of criteria accepted by other jurisdictions. If this is the case, you can apply for a disabled permit in the Province of New Brunswick by completing an application form and having your doctor fill it in also. Return the form to Jeannette Nightingale, Enforcement Section, Regional Support Services, Dept of Natural Resources, PO Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1 for processing.
The Minister may issue a license or a permit authorizing a physically disabled person to hunt from a vehicle which is not in motion.
Official website : http://www.gnb.ca/0078/index-e.asp
Government is committed to the inclusion for persons with disabilities and access to recreational hunting and angling opportunities. These activities are an important part of wildlife management and are valued cultural pursuits in our province.
https://www.flr.gov.nl.ca/wildlife/hunting/disabilities.html
Official website : https://www.flr.gov.nl.ca/wildlife/index.html
I requested information on disabled regulations from this territory in the Spring of 2004 and received the following reply:
"In reply to your recent request for information regarding the status of legislation specific for disabled Hunters and Fishers, I can advise you that at the present time the Northwest Territories does not have such legislation in place."
Official website : http://www.nwtwildlife.com/
Weapon discharge permit: A "disabled person" means a person whose mobility is limited as a result of severe physical disability caused by paralysis, lower limb amputation, heart or lung disease or other disabling impairment to the extent that
A disabled person may apply to the Department for a free Weapon Discharge Permit to hunt wildlife during the open season from a vehicle.
The Minister may issue a General Fishing License at no cost to a resident or non- resident or group of residents or nonresidents who are physically handicapped.
A listing of barrier free angling sites that Nova Scotia has partnered with NGO's to create around the province is available. The project is run in collaboration with the NS Federation of Anglers and Hunters and it's something they are very proud to have been involved with. https://www.novascotia.ca/sns/paal/dnr/paal124.asp
Official websites :
The ministry makes provisions for accessibility for people with disabilities through its fee / permit policies.
Those who qualify to fish without purchasing a fishing license as indicated above, may fish with the same catch and possession limits as holders of a Sport Fishing License Tag. Additionally, they have the same responsibilities as those who have purchased an Outdoors Card and Fishing License Tag and must abide by all regulations.
Special Opportunities exist for moose hunters with lower limb disabilities. Hunters who qualify for these special seasons include:
Official website : http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/
Currently Prince Edward Island does not have specific regulations
governing seasons or bag limits for disabled hunters or fishers. They have however
been very active in promoting disabled access for fishers and funding programs
for such. The Department has worked cooperatively with Wildlife and Community
organizations to construct wheel chair access to fishing holes for Trout and
Atlantic Salmon.
Along with providing access they have promoted an annual free
fishing weekend for families and stocked local fishing ponds with Trout for
youth and disabled individuals. These ponds are easily accessible for all and
provide excellent opportunity for disabled individuals and seniors to enjoy
fishing in comfort.
Disabled individuals can request a free license from the Minister. They have several requests each year from community organizations representing the disabled requesting free licenses for its membership, which is happily granted by the Minister.
Crossbows are considered legal weapons for hunting provincial game. This includes all legal game excluding migratory waterfowl..
Shooting from a vehicle is not allowed, but much of the hunting for Canadian Geese is done from fields which are relatively accessible.
Official website :https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/environment-water-and-climate-change/hunting-resources-and-information-centre
Persons with a handicap that prevents normal participation in hunting activities may be exempted from certain provisions governing hunting on the conditions set by the Department of Natural Resources and Wildlife. The Department grants two types of authorization :
To that end, they must obtain the "Explanatory document for applicants and health professionals" as well as the forms "Hunting authorization application for handicapped person" and "Certificate of physical deficiency". Handicapped persons must have them filled out by a physician, an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist, and send them to the Department office of their region. More information can be found at Information for Handicapped Persons
Official website : http://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/online/wildlife/hunting-regulations/index.asp
Saskatchewan believes hunting is an activity that the public enjoy
and that is crucial to successful wildlife management. While hunting methods
are controlled by legislation for management and safety reasons, it is also
important that hunting be highly accessible to all persons. We endeavor to provide
reasonable access to hunting and persons with temporary or permanent disabilities
may require the legal authority of a special permit.
Conservation Officers are responsible for handling Special Permit requests.
There are two types of permits that may be issued. One permit is to load and
shoot a firearm from a vehicle, once the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
The other permit is to contravene vehicle control regulations under the Wildlife
Act and regulations - the specific sections will depend on the circumstances.
Applicants should contact a Saskatchewan Environment Field Office to obtain
a Disabled Hunting Permit Application.
The use of crossbows in Saskatchewan was only recently allowed and the Regulations
state that crossbows may only be used in an open muzzleloader or rifle season.
Other regulations which apply to firearms, would also apply to crossbows.
Official websites:
There are no specific regulations that provide disabled hunters with unique regulatory provisions. However, in the Yukon, some may consider the hunting regulations to be quite liberal. You can hunt from a snowmobile, and access by ATV is common throughout the north. Most hunting seasons last for 3 months.
However, if the interested person is not a Yukon resident, then they would be required to hunt with a guide.
Official website : https://yukon.ca/en/outdoor-recreation-and-wildlife/hunting-and-trapping/guide-hunting-yukon