Hunting and Trapping on DUC Lands in Saskatchewan

DUC Properties DUC-owned lands are restored and managed to provide habitat for North America’s breeding waterfowl and made possible thanks to the donors, volunteers and partners who support Ducks Unlimited Canada’s conservation work. These diverse landscapes, totalling over 190,000 acres in Saskatchewan, offer a wealth of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) provides access to these lands for public use, including hunting and trapping. Below are the rules surrounding hunting and trapping on these multi-use DUC properties in Saskatchewan that will help you identify accessible lands and enjoy a safe and memorable experience.

Always consult the Saskatchewan hunting regulations before any trip into the field

Download the Saskatchewan DUC property list

Hunting

Unless otherwise posted, all DUC-owned lands in Saskatchewan are open to hunting. These properties are foot access only and do not require written permission from DUC. Hunters harvesting big game animals on DUC property must be prepared to remove their game without a motorized vehicle.

DUC acknowledges, respects, and supports the Inherent Rights of Indigenous Peoples. DUC lands in Saskatchewan are open to Indigenous subsistence harvesters who are encouraged to use these lands to exercise these important rights.

Please note that not all DUC projects are the sole property of DUC. DUC-owned properties will be signed as such. The onus is on the user to ensure they are accessing DUC properties that are the sole property of DUC; these lands can be found on the “Saskatchewan DUC Property List” provided (blue download button above). Where a DUC project is a partnership with a private landowner (such as in conservation agreements or easements), the user must seek landowner permission.

Hunters and trappers are reminded that these are multi-use lands and there may be other users on the property. Those accessing DUC lands need to be cognizant and respectful of fellow users. As part of ongoing habitat management, users should be aware of possible operations on the property including haying or late-fall grazing, and that DUC staff and contractors may be present on occasion.

All users of DUC lands are asked to abide by the terms of this webpage and “Saskatchewan DUC Property List” above to ensure safety and sustainability of use.

Blinds and Structures

Permanent blinds or structures are prohibited on DUC-owned projects. Portable blinds or tree stands are permitted to be set up 14 days before hunting season and all parts (including poles, steps and ladders) must be taken down within 14 days of the end of the same season. All portable blinds and stands must be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the owner.

Baiting of any kind is not permitted on DUC land.

Trapping

The following guidelines must be followed:

1. Access will be limited to foot only. No ATV, UTV, Truck/Vehicle access is granted.
2. Trapping of furbearing animals is allowed on DUC lands. Trappers require a valid fur trapping license and must follow all the regulations outlined in the Saskatchewan Hunters’ and Trappers’ Guide. Written permission to trap needs to be obtained from the DUC staff responsible for the specific parcel of DUC land. A signed letter of permission will be given to the trapper as well as a copy kept on file in the office. The use of canine traps, snares, or land-based kill type trap sets that occur less than 1.5 meters above the ground, is prohibited from March 1st until December 31st of any given year.
3. Kill trap sets which are less than 1.5 meters from the ground and land-based canid sets and baited live hold raccoon traps, must be placed a minimum of 50 meters from any right of way or public trail system on the property.
4. No carcass baits are allowed on DUC lands including road killed ungulates or livestock carcasses. Once the trapping is completed each year, alltraps and markers must be immediately removed from the property by the trapper on the final day of the trapping season.

Any breach of the above guidelines will result in the loss of access to the property by the trapper.

Camping/Campfires

No camping or building of campfires is allowed on DUC owned lands.

Revolving Land Conservation Program

Some DUC properties are classified under the Revolving Land Conservation Program (RLCP) and may not be under DUC ownership in the future. Under this program, DUC purchases a property, restores its wetlands and grasslands, then resells the land with a conservation agreement (easement) on the title to protect the habitat. While owned by DUC, these properties are open to hunting under the restrictions mentioned in the above section.

Access is not permitted on these properties if crop is still in the field. Users should be aware that RLCP lands will be sold once wetlands and grasslands are restored. Users can check the Saskatchewan DUC Property List to confirm a property’s ownership status. The onus is on the user to ensure they are accessing DUC property.

Partnership Properties – DUC and Fish and Wildlife Development Fund (FWDF)

These lands are protected in partnership with FWDF and are managed by DUC with DUC and the Crown jointly holding title. DUC grants permission for hunting and trapping on these partnered lands under the same general restrictions and guidelines as DUC solely owned lands. Please refer to the Saskatchewan DUC Property List for a full list of these properties.