Summary
- No single province-wide opener — seasons are set by zone, species, and weapon type.
- Black bear — spring season May 15–June 30 in most zones; some southern zones add a fall season.
- Moose — bow/crossbow from mid- to late September; firearms mostly in October (the 9-day window is the year's most in-demand).
- White-tailed deer — main firearms season early to mid-November in most zones.
- Small game (grouse, hare) — opens around September 19 in most zones.
- Freshwater fishing — most waters open mid-May and run into fall or winter depending on species.
- All dates and bag limits vary by zone — confirm yours at quebec.ca before booking.
One of the first questions anyone new to hunting or fishing in Quebec asks is: "When can I go?" The honest answer is: it depends on where you're going and what you're after. Quebec divides its territory into hunting zones (numbered 1 to 29 for hunting, and a parallel 29-zone system for fishing), and season dates can shift by weeks between them.
This article gives you the reliable planning windows for each major species — the typical range you can count on when you're deciding when to book a trip or take time off work. For confirmed zone-specific dates, always follow up with the official source links in each section.
How to use this calendar
Dates below are taken from the current 2026–2027 regulation published by Quebec's Ministry (MELCCFP) where they are zone-specific enough to quote. Where dates vary heavily by zone, the entry gives the typical window — useful for planning but not for compliance. Always cross-check at:
- Hunting: quebec.ca — Hunting seasons and bag limits
- Fishing: peche.faune.gouv.qc.ca — Periods, limits and exceptions (select your zone)
Spring (May–June)
Black bear — spring season
Black bear has a well-defined spring season that is the same across most zones: May 15 to June 30. This applies to firearms, crossbow and bow hunting in zones 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 27 East, 28 and more. Some southern zones (4, 5, 6, 8, 10) have a second fall season in addition to the spring window — see the fall section below.
Spring bear is the primary bear season for most hunters. Outfitters with bear bait stations plan their spring seasons around this window; if you want a guided spring bear hunt, booking 2–3 months ahead is realistic for most operations, and earlier is better for popular weeks in late May.
Fishing opens — most freshwater species
Most freshwater fishing in Quebec opens in mid-May. The general pattern across many zones is an opener around the third Saturday in May — typically around May 16–23 depending on the year. For 2026, the third Saturday in May falls on May 16. Specific waters and species may open earlier or later; the interactive fishing-zone map shows the exact opener for your lake or river.
Summer (July–August)
White-tailed deer — zone 20 special season
Zone 20 (Anticosti Island) runs on its own schedule. Firearms deer hunting in the main part of zone 20 opens August 1 and runs through December 24 for antlerless deer, with a specific males-only period in August. If Anticosti is on your list, plan and book well in advance — it is one of the most sought-after deer destinations in Canada and outfitter slots fill early.
Fishing — peak summer season
Summer is peak fishing season across Quebec. Most freshwater seasons opened in May and remain open through the summer months. Brook trout (omble de fontaine), walleye (doré), northern pike (brochet) and lake trout (touladi) are all in season through summer in most zones, subject to your zone's specific limits. Check the fishing periods and limits for your zone.
Fall (September–November)
Fall is the core hunting season in Quebec. It is also the hardest time to book an outfitter last-minute — moose and deer weeks are heavily booked, often 6–12 months ahead for the most popular properties.
Moose (orignal) — bow and crossbow openers
Moose bow and crossbow seasons open first, typically in mid- to late September, depending on zone:
- Zones 12, 14, 26, 27 and parts of southern zones open around September 19
- Zones 1, 2, 13, 15 and others open around September 26
- Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 open around October 3
- Zones 16, 18, 28 open as early as September 12
- Far-south zones (19 South, 29) open in late August or early September
Exact dates for every zone are published at quebec.ca — Moose seasons.
Important 2026 change: In most zones, hunting moose without antlers (females and calves) now requires a draw-based MWA licence. See what's new for the 2026–2027 season for details.
Moose — firearms season
The moose firearms season (which also allows crossbow and bow) opens in October in most zones, typically running about 9 days to two weeks depending on zone:
- Zones 1–4: October 17–25, 2026
- Zones 12, 13, 14, 26, 27: October 10–25, 2026
- Zones 10 West, 11 West, 15: October 10–18, 2026
- Zones 16, 28: September 26–October 16, 2026
- Far-south zones run longer windows into November
These are verified 2026 dates from the published regulation. Always confirm at quebec.ca before you go, as dates are subject to change.
If you want to hunt with an outfitter during the firearms moose season, book 6–12 months ahead. The 9-day firearms window in October is the most in-demand period of the year for pourvoiries across Quebec.
Small game — ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare
The 2026–2027 season for ruffed grouse (gélinotte huppée), spruce grouse (tétras du Canada) and snowshoe hare (lièvre d'Amérique) opens September 19, 2026 in most zones (1 through 18, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28) and September 12, 2026 in northern zones 19 South, 22, 23, 24 and 29.
The grouse season runs to January 15, 2027 in all zones. Snowshoe hare seasons run into late March in most zones, and into April 30 in the northernmost zones.
Grey partridge (perdrix grise): season runs September 19 to November 15, 2026 across listed zones. Confirm that your specific zone is included at quebec.ca.
White-tailed deer — bow and crossbow openers
Deer bow and crossbow seasons open in early October in most zones where deer are present. In zones 3 West, 4, 5 East, 7 North, 7 South, 8 East, 8 North, 8 South, 10 West and 12, the bow opener is October 3–16, 2026. In zones 15 East, 18, 26, 27 East and 28, the bow opener is later — November 7–12, 2026.
White-tailed deer — shotgun/muzzleloader season
A short shotgun and muzzle-loading firearm season falls between the bow and main firearms windows in some zones, typically 5 days in mid- to late October (October 17–21, 2026 in zones 3 West, 4, 5 East, 7 North, 7 South, 10 East and 10 West).
White-tailed deer — main firearms season
The main deer firearms season — the period that gets the most traffic — runs in November:
- In most zones (2 West, 3 East, 3 West, 4, 5 East, 5 West, 7 North, 7 South, 8 East, 8 North, 8 South, 9 East, 9 West, 10 East, 10 West, 11 East, 11 West, 12, 13 Southwest, 15 West): November 7–22, 2026
- In zones 1 North, 1 South, 2 East, 27 West: November 7–15, 2026
- In zones 15 East, 18, 26, 27 East, 28: November 13–15, 2026 (shotgun only) and bow/crossbow November 7–12
For a full zone-by-zone breakdown, see quebec.ca — Deer seasons.
2026 change: Zones 4, 5 East, 5 West, 6 North, 6 South, 7 South, 8 East, 8 North and 8 South now allow a second deer in the same zone, provided only one is an adult male. See what's new for the 2026–2027 season for the full details.
Black bear — fall season (southern zones)
Zones 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 have a second bear season in fall, running November 7–22, 2026, synchronized with the deer firearms season. Zones 26 and 27 West have a fall window from October 10–25, 2026.
Waterfowl (ducks and geese)
Waterfowl seasons in Quebec are set annually by the federal government (Environment and Climate Change Canada) under the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations — not by the provincial regulation. Dates are published each summer and typically cover September through December. Confirm the current season at canada.ca — Migratory birds hunting regulations. Do not rely on this article for waterfowl dates; they are set on a different cycle from the provincial regulation.
Winter (December–April)
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is permitted on most Quebec lakes once ice is safely formed, generally from around December 20 through the end of March in most zones, with some northern zones extending to April 30. Some bodies of water have specific opening dates or prohibitions. The number of lines you may use varies by zone (often 5 in winter, but some zones allow up to 10). Use the interactive fishing zone tool to check your water.
Snowshoe hare — late season
Snowshoe hare season runs until March 31, 2027 in most zones (19 South and 29 open to March 31; zones 22, 23, 24 open until April 30, 2027). Late-season hare hunting is a quiet time of year, and one of the easiest entry points for new hunters — no draw, no complex licences, accessible terrain.
Planning tip: book early for fall hunting
The advice applies across every species, but it matters most for moose: Quebec's pourvoiries (outfitters with exclusive hunting rights) book their peak weeks — the 9-day October moose firearms window in particular — months in advance. For a first moose hunt at an outfitter, 6–12 months of lead time gives you a real choice of camps and dates. For deer in zones with strong populations, 3–6 months is a reasonable target. Small game and fishing are less capacity-constrained, and 1–3 months out is usually fine.
Season overview by species
| Season | Species | Typical window (2026) | Zone variation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Black bear | May 15–June 30 | Low — consistent across most zones |
| Spring/Summer | Most freshwater fishing | Mid-May through fall | High — use zone tool |
| Fall | Moose (bow/crossbow) | Sept 12–Oct 16 depending on zone | High |
| Fall | Moose (firearms) | Oct 10–25 depending on zone | High |
| Fall | White-tailed deer (bow) | Oct 3–16 in most zones | Moderate |
| Fall | White-tailed deer (firearms) | Nov 7–22 in most zones | Moderate |
| Fall | Black bear (southern zones) | Nov 7–22 | Low |
| Fall | Ruffed grouse / spruce grouse | Sept 19–Jan 15 | Low |
| Fall | Snowshoe hare | Sept 19–Mar 31 | Low |
| Fall | Grey partridge | Sept 19–Nov 15 | Verify by zone |
| Fall | Waterfowl | Set by federal regulation each summer | Federal |
| Winter | Ice fishing | Late Dec–mid-March (most zones) | Moderate |
FAQ
Is there a single "fishing opener" date for all of Quebec?
No. While many zones follow a pattern of opening in mid-May for most freshwater species, the exact date depends on your zone, the specific lake or river, and the species. Some bodies of water open earlier or later, and some have year-round open seasons for certain species. Use the interactive fishing-zone map to find your water's exact rules.
When should I book a moose hunting outfitter?
For the peak October firearms window, 6–12 months ahead is the right target. Many popular camps in zones 4–8 and 12–14 are fully booked for their October moose week by the previous winter. Booking in summer for that fall is possible but limits your options considerably.
Can I fish for brook trout all summer?
In most zones, yes — brook trout (omble de fontaine) seasons run through the summer months once opened in May. However, specific lakes and rivers may have closures, and catch limits and size restrictions vary by zone. Confirm the fishing periods and limits for your specific water.
Is bear hunting open in winter?
No. Black bear is a spring (May 15–June 30) and — in certain southern zones — a fall season (November) species. Bears hibernate in winter and hunting is closed outside those windows.
I want to hunt deer but I've never hunted before. What season should I plan for?
The main firearms deer season (November 7–22 in most zones) is the most accessible entry point for new hunters because visibility in the woods is good with leaves down and there are more camp-based guided options. Some zones also offer an introductory novice-only weekend (late October / early November) designed specifically for first-time deer hunters. See Quebec hunting permits for the licences you'll need.
Do I need different licences for different zones?
For most hunting species, your licence is zone-specific at purchase — you choose your zone when you buy. For fishing, your licence is province-wide but the rules (seasons, limits) are zone-specific. Confirm the details for your species and zone at quebec.ca.
Looking for an outfitter that matches your season and species? Pourvoo lists Quebec hunting and fishing outfitters organized by zone, species, and season — so you can find available camps without calling a dozen phone numbers. → Browse all Quebec outfitters by season on Pourvoo.
