Obtaining a hunting licence on Vancouver Island follows the requirements established under British Columbia hunting and trapping regulations. Before purchasing a licence, hunters must have a valid B.C. Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) and meet any applicable hunter education and residency requirements.
Hunters can access online hunting services, manage their hunting profile, and complete eligible hunting-related transactions through the provincial system.
Hunters can receive in-person assistance at FrontCounter BC locations. Vancouver Island offices are available in communities including Nanaimo, Campbell River, Port Alberni, and Port McNeill.
Hunters can purchase licences through authorized hunting and fishing licence retail vendors located throughout Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
British Columbia offers several hunting licence categories based on the hunter's age, residency status, and hunting experience. The main licence categories include:
Non-resident licence categories are based on the hunter's residency status and citizenship. These categories determine licence requirements, fees, and whether the hunter may hunt independently or must be accompanied.
An Unrestricted Non-resident Licence applies to eligible Canadian citizens or permanent residents who do not qualify as B.C. residents and meet B.C. hunting licence requirements.
This licence allows eligible hunters to pursue small game unaccompanied, provided they hold the required licences and permits for the species being hunted.
An Unrestricted Non-resident Alien Licence applies to hunters who are neither B.C. residents nor Canadian citizens/permanent residents and who meet the applicable B.C. hunting requirements.
Eligible holders may hunt small game unaccompanied when they hold the required licences and permits.
For big game hunting, accompaniment by a guide outfitter, assistant guide outfitter, or eligible Permit to Accompany holder is required.
A Restricted Non-resident Licence applies to certain non-B.C. residents who do not qualify for unrestricted hunting privileges.
A Restricted Non-resident Alien Licence applies to eligible hunters who are neither B.C. residents nor Canadian citizens/permanent residents and who do not qualify for unrestricted privileges.
A B.C. resident hunting licence is available to individuals who meet the province's residency requirements and have a valid B.C. Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID).
Hunters who do not have an FWID can register for a B.C. Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID). Hunters who already have an FWID can access their profile through the B.C. online licensing system.
Meet the requirements to qualify as a B.C. resident under provincial hunting regulations.
Complete the required hunter safety training where applicable before purchasing a hunting licence.
Follow all licence, species, and authorization requirements that apply to the species being hunted.
The Initiation Hunting Licence is designed for adults who have never previously held a B.C. hunting licence, except for a Youth Hunting Licence.
To qualify:
The applicant must be a B.C. resident.
The applicant must be 18 years of age or older.
The applicant must have a valid FWID.
The applicant must not have previously held a B.C. hunting licence, except a Youth Hunting Licence.
The initiation hunter must hunt under the close personal supervision of an adult who holds a valid hunting licence and meets the qualifications to act as a supervising hunter.
The following licence fees apply province-wide in British Columbia. Fees include the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) surcharge but do not include GST. All licences issued under the Wildlife Act are non-transferable and non-refundable.
| Licence Type | Fee | HCTF Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| B.C. Resident Hunting Licence | $32 | Included |
| B.C. Resident Hunting Licence (65 years of age or older) | $7 | Included |
| B.C. Resident Youth Licence | $7 | Included |
| B.C. Resident Initiation Licence | $19 | Included |
| Gulf Islands Special Hunting Area Licence | $2 | Included |
| Fraser Valley Special Hunting Area Licence | $10 | Included |
| Non-resident Unrestricted Hunting Licence | $75 | Included |
| Non-resident Alien Unrestricted Hunting Licence | $180 | Included |
| Canadian Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit | $17 | Not applicable |
Some big-game species require a species licence in addition to the basic hunting licence. Species licences are associated with the hunter’s FWID profile and contain validation information required under B.C. regulations.
✓ Species licences must be carried while hunting the applicable species, including both cancelled and uncancelled species licences purchased during the current licence year.
✓ A species licence must be valid for the species, licence year, and hunting activity being undertaken.
✓ After harvesting an animal requiring a species licence, hunters must immediately complete the required validation process, including notching or cancelling the licence where applicable.
✓ Hunters should review their species licences and hunting history through their FWID profile.
✓ Some species licences have a two-day waiting period before they become valid. This applies to species licences for designated species identified in the regulations.
✓ Hunters should purchase species licences early enough to ensure they are valid before beginning a hunt.
| Resident Species Licence Type | B.C. Resident Fee | HCTF Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bear | $20 | Included |
| Cougar | $30 | Included |
| Elk | $25 | Included |
| Mule Deer (Black-tailed Deer) | $15 | Included |
| White-tailed Deer | $15 | Included |
Some species have different requirements depending on hunter residency.
| Species | B.C. Resident | Non-B.C. Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf | No species licence required | $50 |
| Small Game | No species licence required | No species licence required |
| Upland Game Birds | No species licence required | $50 |
Hunters must replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed species licence if they plan to continue hunting during the current licence year.
Replacement must be obtained through FrontCounter BC or Service BC.
Hunters must declare harvest details from the original species licence if it had already been cancelled.
Replacement fee: $10.00
When hunters purchase a B.C. hunting licence, a portion of the cost supports wildlife conservation through the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF).
Licence fees include both a licence fee portion and an HCTF conservation surcharge. For example, a B.C. resident hunting licence costs $32.00:
$25.00 licence fee portion
$7.00 HCTF conservation surcharge
Proof of hunter safety training is required for purchasing most hunting licences in British Columbia, unless a specific exemption applies.
The Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) program is the primary hunter education program recognized in B.C.
After successfully completing hunter safety training, the hunter’s credential is recorded on their FWID profile.
A CORE certificate or official proof of CORE completion.
A hunter safety document issued by another Canadian province or territory.
A document issued by an international government authority confirming successful completion of an approved course.