Stay Informed
New firearms possession and acquisition licence cards
Starting January 2023, firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) cards will have a different look, and contain enhanced security features.
Three versions of the valid PAL cards will be in circulation over the next five years as the Canadian Firearms Program transitions to the new PAL card:
- standard cards issued from December 1998 to May 2022
- interim cards issued between May and December 2022 that do not contain a magnetic strip on the back of the card
- new cards issued starting in January 2023
The previously issued PAL cards will remain valid until they expire. All three PAL cards contain the required identification and licensing information. By December 2027, the previously issued PAL cards should all be expired and only the new cards will be in circulation.
If you already have a valid PAL card, no action is required on your part at this time; your existing PAL card will remain valid until it expires. New PAL cards will be issued on renewal.
From RCMP website
Target shooters
Call the Canadian Firearms Program (CFP) at 1-800-731-4000 to check whether a club or range you want to join is approved by the provincial or territorial Chief Firearms Office (CFO).
For more information on target shooting, please see the Shooting clubs and ranges page.
Residents
To participate in target shooting at a club or range, Canadian residents must have
- a valid Canadian firearms licence
- a valid Authorization to Transport (ATT); apply for an Authorization to Transport online by accessing the Individual Web Services, call the CFP at 1-800-731-4000, or complete and submit an Application for an Authorization to Transport Restricted Firearms and Prohibited Firearms (form RCMP 5490).
Notes
- The Chief Firearms Office has the authority under subsection 15(1) of the Shooting Clubs and Shooting Ranges Regulations to request written confirmation from a shooting club or range of "…the participation, if any, of a current or past member…of the shooting club…in target practice or target shooting competitions within the previous five years…"
- The Chief Firearms Office is able to confirm the purpose for which an individual indicated he or she was acquiring the firearm by looking at your Authorization to Transport history over the term of your licence (for target practice) and, can also review records kept by a club/range.
Non-residents
If you do not have a valid Canadian firearms licence, please fill out a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration. A customs officer needs to confirm it at your point of entry. This Declaration will act as a firearms licence for up to 60 days. If you are bringing a restricted firearm into Canada, ask a customs officer to confirm your Declaration before applying for an Authorization to Transport by phone.
Firearms Collectors
To acquire firearms, other than antiques, for a collection you must
- be at least 18 years old; and
- have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) for the class or classes of firearms you are collecting.
Inspecting a collection
The Firearms Act allows for periodic inspections of firearms collections. The main purpose of inspections is to make sure that all firearms in a collection are accounted for, and that they are stored safely, as set out in the Storage, Display and Transportation of Firearms and Other Weapons by Individuals Regulations.
Before inspecting a firearm collection in a residence, inspectors must give reasonable notice and obtain consent or a warrant.
Restricted and prohibited firearms
To be able to have or to get a restricted or prohibited firearm for a collection, you need to know the historical, scientific and technical features of the firearm. The Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of the applicable province or territory decides whether you are eligible to have the firearm for a collection when you apply to register it.
From RCMP website
Wildlife Information and Licensing Data System (WILD)
WILD System
The Wildlife Information and Licensing Data system (WILD) is the B.C. government’s online service for submitting hunting applications, purchasing licences and submitting reports. The following applications, licences and reports can be accessed through WILD:
- Fish and Wildlife ID
- Residency and hunting credentials (for residents and non-residents)
- All provincial hunting and species licences
- Limited entry hunting
- Guide outfitter licences and reports
- Permit to accompany a non-resident or non-resident alien to hunt big game and reports
- Guiding territory certificates
- Trapping harvest reporting
- Compulsory reports for hunters
Applications for all other fish and wildlife licences, permits and authorizations are processed through FrontCounterBC and Freshwater Fishing.
Accessing WILD
To access WILD, you must have a basic or personal BCeID. You can register here:
Once you have your BCeID, you can login to WILD here:
Please use the current version of your internet browser or you may experience issues with using WILD. If you are able to access the site, but experience an error when attempting to pay, it may be an indication that you need to update your browser to the most current version.
Fish and Wildlife ID
A Fish and Wildlife ID (FWID) is a permanent number linked to your personal online profile in WILD. There is no cost to get a FWID.
For step-by-step instructions on obtaining a FWID and accessing WILD, view the how-to guide:
Keep your FWID profile up to date.
- Your legal name must appear on your FWID profile. Nicknames are not acceptable. If you have changed your legal name, you will be required to provide supporting documentation to make the update to your FWID profile.
- You can update your contact information at any time.
Know your FWID while hunting.
- There is no FWID card. You must carry photo ID and be able to produce your FWID number while hunting in B.C.
- You can print your FWID or download a copy onto your mobile device if you choose, but there is no requirement to carry this.
- Conservation Officers can ask you to provide photo ID and your FWID number to view your profile on their mobile devices.
- If you had a B.C. resident Hunter Number Card, your Hunter Number has been replaced with a FWID.
If you have forgotten your FWID number, contact FrontCounterBC.
Age Restrictions
A person must be 10 years of age or older to obtain a FWID and hunt wildlife in B.C.
Angler Number
The FWID does not replace the Angler Number. Freshwater anglers will continue to use their Angler Number to purchase angling licences.
First Nations Hunters
First Nations hunters need a FWID only if they wish to apply for limited entry hunting or access other services through WILD.
Digital licensing
Hunting licences in British Columbia are electronic. Digital licences include: resident, non-resident, non-resident alien, initiation and youth licences. You can choose to print these licences from your FWID profile but it is not required. You can buy your licences online through WILD, or in person at a FrontCounter BC office, Service BC office or a vendor location.
Species licences are issued on waterproof, tearproof paper and cannot be printed by hunters. All current year species licences must be carried while hunting. Species licences are issued over the counter at FrontCounter BC offices, Service BC offices or vendor locations, or by mail if purchased online through WILD.
When you buy a licence, the licence information is associated to your online FWID profile. Conservation Officers can access your FWID profile on their mobile devices or on their in-car computers, allowing them to view your credentials, licences, permit to accompany and limited entry hunting authorizations. Your species licence also has a barcode that can be scanned, allowing the Conservation Officer to verify if the licence is valid.
How to Apply for a Firearms Licence
After taking the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and/or Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC) with us, you can apply for a firearms licence online or by mail.
Online
The online service is open to eligible Canadian residents.
- To be eligible to apply online you must
-
- be a first time applicant
- a first time applicant is someone who has never had a valid firearms licence including:
- Minor's Licence
- Possession and Acquisition licence (PAL)
- Possession Only Licence (POL)
- Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC)
- a first time applicant is someone who has never had a valid firearms licence including:
- be at least 18 years of age
- be a Canadian resident
- not be seeking a firearms licence under the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptation Regulations (Firearms)
- not be seeking a fee waiver (including for sustenance hunters or trappers as indicated in the Firearms Act) or
- not be seeking a photo waiver
- be a first time applicant
- If you are eligible and want to apply online, you must also
-
- have a valid email address
- complete safety training requirements
- have a digital licence photo
- have two (2) pieces of government issued identification
- have valid email addresses for your:
- Two references
- Photo guarantor
- Current conjugal partner (if applicable)
- Former conjugal partner (if applicable)
- have a credit card or Visa or MasterCard debit card
By mail
If you are not eligible to apply online, you must complete and submit an Application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence Under the Firearms Act (for Individuals Aged 18 and Over) (form RCMP 5592) by mail.
Steps to obtain your Fish & Wildlife ID (FWID)
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Study the B.C. Wildlife Federation CORE Manual or take the CORE course
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Ensure you're familiar with firearms and the safe handling of them. If you're not familiar, we recommend taking the CFSC or in-person CORE Hunter Education Course
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Know how to use the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis
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Contact us and set up your examinations. The test is two parts, a written test, 80 questions with 80% pass mark, and a firearms practical test. If are able to produce a Canadian Firearms Safety Course Report with a passing grade, we will wave the practical test
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Send your certified record of examination (white copy registration form) to the B.C. Wildlife Federation for the B.C. Wildlife Federation issuance of a CORE Graduation Certificate
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Provide your CORE Graduation Certificate to Front Counter BC, Service BC, or Online to obtain your FWID
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Now you are all set to enter for Limited Entry Hunting or to purchase a hunting licence