Hunting Licences

Hunting offers residents the opportunity to explore B.C.'s world-renowned back-country and enjoy the natural wonders of our province. Hunters should be familiar with B.C. Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis.

All resident hunters must have a Fish and Wildlife ID and hunting credentials.

There are three types of hunting licences available to B.C. residents:

  • Hunting Licence
  • Initiation Hunting Licence
  • Youth Hunting Licence

A hunting licence, in combination with the appropriate species licence (if required), provides a hunter with a personal bag limit.

Species Licence Fees

Species licences can be bought in-store with the correct ID and hunting credentials.

Please Note: You must carry all of your species licences for the current year, including both cancelled and uncancelled species licences, while hunting.

About Limited Entry Hunting

There are two types of hunting seasons available to licensed hunters in British Columbia: general open seasons (GOS) and limited entry hunting (LEH). General open seasons are open to all licensed hunters, and harvest is managed through season length, restrictions on class of animal and bag limits.

Limited entry hunting gives wildlife managers the ability to more closely control the number of hunters that can hunt a species, or class of species, in a specific area and during a specific time, and is generally in place when additional control, beyond what is feasible through a GOS, is required. The province has substantial hunting opportunities through both GOS and LEH, and the use of each system provides a balance of hunting opportunities in the best interest of the public and the resource.

LEH draws are random. The previous year's odds are published beside each hunt to give an indication of the likelihood of a successful application, but this is not a guarantee of success.

Successful applicants have their chances reduced in subsequent draws in order to improve the chances of those who have been unsuccessful.

For further details about LEH in British Columbia:

About HCTF Licence Surcharges

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation’s largest source of funding comes from a conservation surcharge on freshwater fishing, hunting, trapping and guide outfitting licences sold in BC. The surcharge amount varies for each licence type and the funds pay for conservation work above and beyond that expected by government for basic management of wildlife and fish resources.