Operate your thermal and night vision equipment legally and responsibly across Canada.
| Province / Territory | Legal Use for Predator Control | Notes & Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Allowed | Night hunting and shooting may be permitted under a Damage Control Licence for specific wildlife management situations. My Wild Alberta |
| British Columbia | Restricted | Use of infrared optics or thermal imaging for hunting is prohibited. Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis |
| Saskatchewan | Allowed | Night predator control permitted for livestock protection; check Hunting and Trapping Regulations |
| Manitoba | Restricted | Night hunting on public Crown lands requires a free permit; private land hunting not permitted. Night Hunting and Permit |
| Ontario | Prohibited | Night hunting is prohibited; daytime predator control only. 2025 Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary |
| Quebec | Prohibited | Night hunting of big game with thermal or night vision devices is prohibited. Hunting Times |
| New Brunswick | Allowed | Hunting license required; follow NB Hunting Guide |
| Nova Scotia | Restricted | Night hunting generally prohibited; see Nova Scotia Hunting Regulations |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | Restricted | Night predator hunting not permitted; consult NL Wildlife Division |
| Yukon | Allowed | Follow Yukon Wildlife Act and report sightings if required |
| Northwest Territories | Allowed | Night predator control permitted with licensing; see NWT Hunting |
| Nunavut | Allowed | Abide by community hunting regulations; obtain necessary permits; refer to Nunavut Wildlife |
Key Compliance Tips:
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Always carry the appropriate hunting or predator control license.
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Check species-specific restrictions, quotas, and seasonal limits before use.
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Verify provincial and municipal regulations each time before deploying night vision or thermal optics.
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When in doubt, contact local wildlife authorities for clarification.
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Keep documentation of licenses and permissions on hand while operating optics.
Resources & Links:
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Provincial regulatory portals listed in the table above for detailed guidance.
Note: Laws and regulations are subject to change; always confirm before each deployment.
2 Comments
Anita O'Brien
Night hunting of problem predators (livestock farms) is allowed in Ontario...see Section 31 of the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/97f41 BUT I don't know if MNR allows the use of thermal scopes for that
Derek
You can legally own and use thermal scopes in Ontario. You can use them during legal daylight hunting hours. Night hunting is generally not permitted, except under narrow predator-control exceptions. There is no clear Ontario rule explicitly allowing thermal scopes at night even under a predator control exception — the equipment itself isn’t banned, but night hunting with light-aiding devices is covered by the same prohibition unless explicitly excluded in regulations (which isn’t obvious from current summaries). Practical Recommendation To be fully sure you’re compliant, contact your local Ontario MNRF district office or a conservation officer and ask whether thermal or night vision scopes are explicitly permitted for predator control under Section 31 or related regulations.
