Hunting & Trapping

Information on this page is NOT intended to replace relevant legislation. All harvesters should refer to the proper legislation before going hunting.

Hunting and trapping in the GSA are subject to terms and conditions in accordance with the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA), the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act and the Government of Canada regulations for migratory birds. Chapter 12 of the GCLCA – Wildlife Harvest and Management, provides Gwich’in with certain exclusive, preferential and other harvesting rights and economic opportunities related to wildlife. Trapping is an exclusive right for Gwich’in participants. The GCLCA requires any person who is not a participant of the GCLCA to obtain permission to hunt on Gwich’in Private Lands.

GCLCA section 12.4.6 states:

A Renewable Resources Council may permit any person, within the limits prescribed by laws affecting wildlife harvesting and management and by this agreement, to harvest wildlife from the lands referred to in 12.4.3, to harvest wildlife to which the Gwich’in have been granted special harvesting rights in 12.4.4, and to harvest fur bearers to which the Gwich’in have the exclusive right, ‘upon terms and conditions respecting species, location, methods, quantities, seasons and duration of harvest as may be set by the Renewable Resources Council.

I’m Gwich’in:

Gwich’in participants of the land claim will find information on their hunting rights in Chapter 12 of the GCLCA. Other rules and regulations of the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act apply to Gwich’in participants, such as regulations on wastage. In addition, certain species management plans give direction on traditional and respectful harvesting or voluntary harvest systems. For example, Gwich’in participants are asked to follow the shih (grizzly bear) tag system. For more information on species management plans, visit our Management Plans and Management Plans Publications sections.

I’m Inuvialuit, Inuit, or from another First Nation:

To harvest on Gwich’in Private Lands, you need permission from the local Renewable Resource Council (RRC) or the Gwich’in Tribal Council (Gwich’in Land Administration Office)¹. Subject to the GCLCA and the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act, Aboriginal harvesters may need a General Hunting Licence to harvest in the GSA. Additional conditions may apply if you do not have traditional harvesting rights in the NWT. For more information, visit the GNWT Environment and Climate Change website.

¹Signatories of the Porcupine Caribou Management Agreement do not need permission to harvest porcupine caribou on private lands. Hunting migratory birds on water overlaying Gwich’in private lands does not require permission.

I’m a resident hunter, non-resident hunter (I live in Canada), or an alien non-resident hunter (I live outside of Canada):

If you have been a resident of the NWT for more than a year, you are allowed to harvest wildlife in the NWT according to the rules and regulations of the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act. This excludes migratory birds and small game, which can be harvested even if you are not a resident of the NWT. If you are from outside the Territory or from outside of Canada, additional rules apply as described in the Northwest Territories Wildlife Act, such as harvesting through a licensed outfitter. Residents, non-residents, and non-resident aliens must all abide by the GCLCA. You need permission from the local RRC or the Gwich’in Tribal Council (Gwich’in Land Administration Office) to harvest on Gwich’in Private Lands².

²Hunting migratory birds on water overlaying Gwich’in private lands does not require permission.

For information on trapping in the GSA or for permission to hunt on private lands in the GSA, contact the applicable Renewable Resource Council or the Gwich’in Tribal Council (Gwich’in Land Administration Office) in Inuvik at 867-777-7913.

For additional information on harvesting wildlife in the NWT, contact the Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

For additional information on migratory birds, visit the Government of Canada’s website on migratory bird hunting regulation summaries.