Small Game Hunting on Vancouver Island

As its name would imply, small game hunting is a type of hunting that involves any smaller-sized animals which are huntable legally. Specifically, animals that weigh under 40 pounds (18 kg). Generally speaking, animals such as upland birds (pheasants and grouse), waterfowl (ducks and geese), snowshoe hares, and raccoons are considered small game. Some of these animals are significant in number.
Hunters often harvest small game with guns like 20-gauge shotguns or larger and use shells of shot size No. 1 Buck or larger. Bowhunting and rifle are other options they can have through some considerations. They use their small game products mostly for food and clothing.

Hunting can be done for different purposes. That may be conserving the ecosystem or controlling the game's number. However, many studies have shown that modern management has a negligible effect on bird numbers year to year for small game like ducks and geese. But all the purposes must be based on well-managed studies and according to British Columbia Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Among them are hunting methods, bag limits, protected areas, hunting seasons, licences, and other necessities that you can not ignore. The laws are divided into different regions in BC, and small game hunting on Vancouver Island is no exception.

Your hunting trip may take one day or two. Your small game hunting package can include a licence, cleaning and packaging, and equipment. So, the price of your small game hunting tour may increase according to your expectations. Among the cheapest animals to hunt on Vancouver Island are snowshoe hare and pheasant.
For more information regarding the cost of your personalized small game hunting adventure on Vancouver Island, please get in touch with us.

Before heading out for hunting on Vancouver Island, it is necessary to prepare a checklist of what you need.
First of all, having a backpack is required for your equipment. Your clothes may include hiking boots, waterproof pants and jacket, socks, hunting pants, short-sleeve shirt, long-sleeve shirt, gloves, hat, and layer clothing.
As you may spend hours or days in nature, don't forget about camping items and food or snacks. Rifle, shotgun, or archery equipment and heavy grain ammunition are your harvesting necessities. Binoculars, duffle bags, and tracking tools can also be on your hunting list.

1. Big game hunting is a type of hunting ideal for hunting large animals almost over 40 pounds (18 kg) in weight.
2. Hunting big game generally can be done with more powerful guns.
3. A licence for harvesting a specific big game is more expensive rather than small game.
4. Many hunters tend to choose their hunt among big game animals to have a trophy.

1. Small game hunting is a type of hunting that includes animals that are small in size. They are generally under 40 pounds (18 kg).
2. Hunting methods for small game are guns like 20-gauge shotguns and other smaller firearms.
3. The price of a licence for hunting small game tends to be less expensive than a big game hunting licence.

✓ Hunting regulations are subject to change from time to time. It is the responsibility of a hunter to be informed of the current regulations.
✓ Species like snowshoe hares and raccoons (Schedule B, according to BC law) are known to destroy property and be detrimental to native wildlife. Hunting, killing or capturing these species have fewer restrictions, but these actions must still abide by provincial laws. If a person injures these species, the person must kill that wildlife.
✓ It may be possible for falconers, who own a valid permit, to hunt small game with the use or aid of raptors during the legal open season. You can also do it during bow-only seasons. Falconers must consider applicable bag limits as long as they have acquired the hunting licence(s).
✓ Using dogs is permitted in hunting all game animals, and unleashed dogs may be used to hunt small game. Any hunter may train dogs and allow them, under supervision, to pursue game birds from Aug 1-Apr 30.
✓ There is no open season on Denman Island for hunting upland game birds.
✓ A Canadian Migratory Game Bird hunting permit is required for migratory game birds, including waterfowl (ducks and geese) and band-tailed pigeons.

To obtain an unrestricted non-resident/non-resident alien hunting licence, you must show proof of successful completion of hunter safety training.
Non-residents can hunt small game unaccompanied if hunting under a non-resident or non-resident alien unrestricted licence. Individuals hunting under a non-resident or non-resident alien restricted licence must be accompanied by a guide outfitter, an assistant guide outfitter or a holder of a permit to accompany at all times while hunting.
No species licence fees are required for hunting small game for BC residents, but non-BC residents have to pay $50.00 for upland game birds.
For more information about small game licences on Vancouver Island, visit the Hunting Licence on Vancouver Island.