BREAKING: Saskatchewan Makes Significant Changes to Non-Resident License Regulations

Waterfowl hunter. Resident of the United States. Or, simply put, a resident of any place other than Canada and a waterfowl hunter wishing to travel from your home, which ISN’T Saskatchewan to Saskatchewan this fall to hunt ducks and/or geese. If you haven’t heard, your window of opportunity to hunt just got shorter—a whole lot shorter.

In a memo dated March 20, 2026, the government of Saskatchewan announced significant changes to the way the province will handle non-resident game bird, i.e. waterfowl hunting licenses, supposedly to address concerns about illegal outfitters and, in part, the resulting loss of the economic benefits afforded both Canadian (resident) guides and rural communities. “We are proud of Saskatchewan’s reputation as a world-class game bird hunting destination,” said Environment Minister Darlene Rowden. “These (licensing) changes will help ensure our wildlife remains a shared public resource, and that Saskatchewan residents see the greatest benefit.”

The press release from the province's official website can be found here.

Currently, Canadian nationals (residents), which includes residents of Saskatchewan, as well as non-resident hunters have the opportunity to purchase hunting licenses, valid for the entire season. These most recent change targeting non-residents, again and as quoted in an effort to reduce opportunities for illegal outfitting activity, will limit non-residents to three five-day short-term licenses to include one five-day Spring license and two five-day Fall licenses.
According to information supplied to WILDFOWL by the Communications and Public Inquiries Section, Ministry of Environment, Government of Saskatchewan, the cost of the new short-term licenses will be as follows –

Spring Term License - $150

First Fall Term License - $225

Second Fall Term License - $150

Both the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) and the provincial Commission of Professional Outfitters (SCPO) have voiced their support for the new short-term licenses. “Illegal outfitters compound the hunting pressure on the landscape and cost (Saskatchewan) millions in lost economic activity each year,” said SCPO Board Chair, Jordan Rowswell. “The (short-term) license is an important first step and will serve as a key tool within a broader set of tools needed to significantly reduce the negative impact this illegal activity has on the economy, the interests of law-abiding waterfowl hunters, and Saskatchewan’s licensed outfitters.”

In a similar vein, this from SWF Executive Director, Todd Smith. “The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation applauds this initial step by the Ministry of the Environment and the Government of Saskatchewan for recognizing the challenges faced by resident waterfowl hunters in the province. The (short-term) license for non-resident hunters shows a commitment toward protecting Saskatchewan’s incredible waterfowl resources and the hunting heritage of our residents.”
A meeting televised by CTV News from Prince Albert on Friday, March 20, saw Executive Director Smith make the comment that “we want to make sure our residents here in Saskatchewan have access to the resources within their own province, and that we can continue to have those same resources long into the future and that they’re managed for the benefit of all of our citizens.” During that same meeting on March 20, Environment Minister Rowden, in response to a question concerning the potential of a negative economic impact on the rural communities that have traditionally hosted non-resident bird hunters, said that “our indications are (the short-term licenses) are not going to have that big a negative effect. We’ve looked at data from Manitoba (where this practice has already been in place), and they’re seen very little to no negative impact on their economy.”

Saskatchewan isn’t the first province to muddy the proverbial waters for non-resident waterfowlers. In 2023, Manitoba introduced their Foreign Resident Migratory Game Bird License requirement, available either as part of a limited number of recipients lottery style drawing or a one-per-year purchased item through a licensed Manitoba outfitter.

WILDFOWL will continue to report on this story as it develops.

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