Province of BC Fact Sheet | Hunt Rules
Bag Limit
the new deer hunt around Cranbrook from January 5-31, 2026. This deer may be in addition
to the regional bag limit of 2 deer but may not exceed the provincial bag limit of 3 deer for
the 2025-26 season. Your harvest must comply with the bag limits described on page 14 of
the Hunting Synopsis.
This means:
- Hunters cannot harvest more than one deer during the January hunt
- Hunters who have already reached the provincial bag limit are not eligible to
participate in the January hunt
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Species license
You must have an uncancelled species license (mule deer or white-tailed deer) for the
species you are harvesting during this hunt. You cannot use a mule deer species license
(i.e. tag) to harvest a white-tailed deer, or vice versa.
Permit to Accompany
You cannot apply for a Permit to Accompany for this hunt. Only B.C. residents are allowed
to participate.
Hunt Area
You can find the hunt boundary (map D27) on page 41 of the Hunting & Trapping synopsis. A
geo-referenced map and a KMZ are also posted online at
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishinghunting/hunting/regulations-synopsis#maps. You can download these to your mobile
device to navigate in the field.
Note that:
- Shooting is not allowed within Cranbrook city limits
- Permission is required to hunt on private land and
- There are restrictions on hunting within established Recreation Sites and Trails (see
below)
Regulations
Other than adding one additional deer to the regional bag limit (as described above), all
regular hunting season regulations still apply. Key information is summarized on pages 11-
12 of the Hunting & Trapping synopsis.
Of note, it is unlawful to:
- Interfere with or obstruct a person who is lawfully hunting, guiding or trapping under a license or permit
- Kill wildlife while in the process of committing offences against any statute including, but not limited to, the Wildlife Act
- o For example, wildlife taken while trespassing on private property or on mine property in violation of the Mine Safety Code
- Discharge, carry or possess a firearm containing live ammunition in its breech or magazine, while in or on a motor vehicle, railway car, sleigh, aircraft, bicycle or other conveyance
- Hunt game (except migratory game birds) from one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise. To check local sunrise and sunset times, consult a local newspaper or use the National Research Council of Canada’s Sun Calculator: https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/products-services/softwareapplications/sun-calculator/. Hunters are responsible for determining sunrise and sunset in the field based on existing terrain and circumstances
- Interfere with or obstruct a person who is lawfully hunting, guiding or trapping under a license or permit
Learn More:
- Chronic wasting disease in B.C.: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/wildlife/wildlife-conservation/wildlife-health/chronic-wasting-disease
- Testing and drop-off locations: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/wildlife/wildlife-conservation/wildlife-health/chronic-wasting-disease/cwd-surveillance-and-testing#dropoff
- More information about the special hunt in Cranbrook: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025WLRS0041-000952
Link to Release:








