Short answer: Yes, with restrictions. A non-resident licence covers one antlered deer per person per year, non-residents cannot enter the antlerless deer draw, and for 2026 non-residents are limited to a single wildlife management zone per licence, chosen at the time of purchase.

What can a non-resident actually hunt?

Non-residents can take one antlered deer per year. Antlerless opportunities go through a draw that is open to residents only, so that door is closed to visitors. This is a firm rule rather than a suggestion, and it shapes how you should plan a trip.

For a fuller breakdown of the rules by zone, the New Brunswick Deer Season 2026 guide from Victory Ridge Sports covers zones, the draw and the rules visiting hunters tend to miss.

What changed for non-residents in 2026?

New Brunswick restricted non-residents to one wildlife management zone per licence for 2026. In earlier seasons, movement between zones was possible. Now you pick your zone when you buy, which makes that decision much more consequential than it used to be.

Since a zone determines your dates, your weapon options and whether antlerless is even on the table, do that homework before you pay for the licence.

How do the zones work?

The province divides itself into 27 wildlife management zones. Several are closed to deer hunting entirely, with zones 4, 5 and 9 in that category, and zones 1 through 3 are restricted to antlered deer only. Zone 27 on Grand Manan runs its own bow-only specialty archery hunt.

Seasons run by zone and weapon. Archery opens first in the fall and a combined firearms season follows. New Brunswick folds rifle and muzzleloader into a single firearms window rather than running separate weapon seasons, which surprises hunters from other provinces.

Is it worth the trip?

Hunters registered 12,290 deer in 2025, the province's best harvest in 28 years. A strong harvest year is good news for anyone heading in, resident or not.

If you also hunt out west, note how differently BC handles visitors. Under the British Columbia Hunting Regulations, non-residents hunt General Open Season only and generally need a licensed guide outfitter for big game.

What should a non-resident check before buying a licence?

Start with the zone. Zones 4, 5 and 9 are closed to deer, so they are off the table, while zones 1 through 3 allow antlered deer only, which fits what a non-resident can take anyway. Since you can only hold one zone per licence in 2026, confirm the season dates for that zone in the province's Hunt and Trap Regulations Summary and do not rely on aggregator sites, several of which publish stale dates.

Also read up on the rules that have no equivalent in many other provinces. Sunday hunting is allowed only between October 14 and December 31. Buying a Resident Deer Licence after the season opens triggers a 48-hour wait, so if you are visiting, confirm how any comparable waiting period applies to your licence.

What happens after you tag a deer?

Attach your harvest tag to the right foreleg and register the entire carcass within 24 hours, either at an open deer registration station or online. Blaze orange is required during firearms seasons. Plan your travel so you are not driving hours to the border with an unregistered animal.

How does the record harvest affect your plans?

New Brunswick hunters registered 12,290 deer in 2025, the highest harvest in nearly three decades. Milder winters, good habitat across the Acadian forest and farmland mix, and steady management through the zone system all played a part. That is encouraging for anyone planning a trip, but a strong year behind you does not guarantee success in front of you. Weather, your chosen zone and how you hunt still decide your season. The province's whitetails also run large by continental standards, so plan gear and a way to get an animal out.

Quick FAQ

How many deer can a non-resident take in New Brunswick?

One antlered deer per person per year.

Can non-residents enter the antlerless draw?

No. The antlerless deer draw is for residents only.

Can I switch zones mid-season in 2026?

Not on the same licence. Non-residents are restricted to a single wildlife management zone per licence for 2026, selected at purchase.

Where do I confirm official dates?

The provincial Go Hunting portal and the current Hunt and Trap Regulations Summary. Several third-party sites publish stale dates.