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Ontario has millions of hectares of public land, teeming with wildlife and vital ecosystems. Our landscape offers world-class hunting experiences that draw enthusiasts not only from our province, but across Canada and around the world.

Hunting is an integral part of our province’s heritage, our culture, our economy and our way of life.

As hunters, you share knowledge and a love of the land that is itself a wonderful resource. Hunters are excellent stewards of the land, helping to conserve and sustain the valuable natural resources we are so lucky to have in Ontario – not just for today, but for generations to come.

As Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, I am pleased to support the hunting community and lead efforts at a government level to responsibly manage our precious natural resources.

We share your vision for Ontario. A place of healthy forests, bountiful wildlife, and abundant opportunities for all Ontarians to enjoy the outdoors.

This shared commitment to preserve our natural heritage has led to strengthening and maintaining healthy wildlife populations. We continue to look for new and better ways to manage our natural resources.

My ministry has been working together with hunters to protect our deer, moose, elk and caribou from Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Hunters help keep CWD out of Ontario by using only artificial lures, by using local bait and by not importing high-risk animal parts. Hunter participation in Ontario’s CWD surveillance program is critical to our province’s efforts to ensure early detection and rapid response to this deadly disease.

Information gathered from hunters, such as what is provided through hunter reports and black bear tooth submissions, is valuable to support sustainable wildlife management and is another example of the strong relationship we have with hunters in Ontario.

More broadly, direct information from hunters is essential to provide information about how these traditional activities enrich the lives of Ontarians and how people engage in these activities.

By regularly surveying hunters, we track how perspectives of hunters change over time, across wildlife species and amongst different areas of the province.

For instance, this past year a survey of moose hunters was used to understand the economic and social benefits that moose hunting provides along with an opportunity for hunters to have their say about the new points-based system for allocating resident moose tags.

Insights from these voluntary hunter surveys complement mandatory hunter reporting data, where increases in hunter reporting response rates have, in some cases, directly contributed to more opportunities for Ontario hunters.

Through your ongoing co-operation in following Ontario’s hunting regulations, we can continue to ensure future generations of Ontarians are able to take part in this cherished activity.

As always, I wish you the best of luck as you hunt – and remember to be safe!

The Honourable Graydon Smith
Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry

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Please respect all resource users

Wild game is of central importance to Indigenous communities in Ontario. The practice of Indigenous hunting pre-dates the establishment of the province.

Although tools have evolved over time, hunting continues to play a significant role in the lives of Indigenous peoples, contributing to the dietary, social, cultural and economic needs of communities in Ontario.

Indigenous communities have constitutionally protected rights to hunt in Ontario. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) recognizes and respects these rights, which may include hunting for food, social, or ceremonial purposes. These rights are fundamentally different than the privileges given to licensed hunters. For example, Indigenous people may hunt with different methods or at different times.

Just as MNRF respects these rights, we ask that licensed hunters do the same.

This is a summary of information dealing with hunting licences and hunting laws in Ontario. This summary is neither a legal document nor a complete collection of the current regulations. It is meant to be a convenient reference only. For complete details:

1. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, and the regulations made under this Act
2. Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (Canada), and the Migratory Birds Regulations
3. Endangered Species Act, 2007, and the regulations made under this Act
4. Species at Risk Act (Canada), with regard to federally listed species that are threatened, endangered or extirpated and their critical habitat
5. Invasive Species Act, 2015, and the regulations made under this Act with regard to invasive wild pigs
6. Trespass to Property Act
7. Firearms Act (Canada)

This summary is divided into a number of sections that provide information about hunting licences, licensing requirements and general hunting regulations. In addition, each game species or group of game species has a section in this summary. Each species section covers basic regulations on hunting the species, including open seasons and other relevant information. Open season dates are inclusive: all dates including the first and last dates stated in the summary are open.

Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries are shown in the front portion of this summary. You can obtain more detailed WMU maps at find a WMU map.

Contact us

Please contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre (NRISC) Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (ET) at:

• telephone: 1-800-387-7011
• email: NRISC@ontario.ca

Important contact information

Important dates for hunters

Occasionally, additional information for hunters becomes available after the Hunting Regulations Summary is printed. For more information, please go to hunting notices and updates.

Invasive wild pigs

Under the Invasive Species Act it is illegal to hunt pigs in Ontario.

Hunting wild pigs is not an effective approach to control their spread. When they are hunted, they flee into new areas and learn to avoid humans. They are quick to reproduce, and populations are known to rebound rapidly.

Given the knowledge that hunters have, and time spent outdoors across the province, the ministry is seeking your help and expertise to report wild pig sightings. The ministry assesses all wild pig reports, and where appropriate, uses a coordinated approach to prevent their establishment in the province.

Visit invasive wild pigs in Ontario to learn more about reporting wild pig sightings, the rules and understand what the province is doing to actively address the threat of invasive wild pigs.

COVID-19 and deer

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been detected in white-tailed deer in Ontario. There are recommended precautions when handling or dressing a deer carcass. For more information, please visit COVID-19 and wildlife.

Mandatory hunter reporting

There are mandatory hunter reporting requirements for deer, moose, elk, black bear, wild turkey and wolf/coyote. Go to the mandatory hunter reporting section for details.

Use or possession of natural attractants

It is illegal to use or possess any product containing natural attractants including blood, urine, gland oils and other fluids of any member of the deer family, for any purpose. Only synthetic (artificial) or plant-based products can be used. Non-resident hunters coming to Ontario to hunt: don’t bring bait and feed from outside Ontario - you could unknowingly be importing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Local sources are safer and benefit local farmers and business owners.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance program

The ministry and hunters are working together to look out for CWD. We need your help. Go to Chronic Wasting Disease for more information. Monitoring helps us detect CWD early if it enters the province. This gives us a better chance of limiting its spread.

Benefits

• Get your deer tested free of charge.
• The first 500 hunters to submit a sample receive a collectable crest.
• Help preserve hunting opportunities for years to come.

Reminders

• Monitoring locations vary from year to year. Visit Chronic wasting disease to find out more.
• Having your deer tested does not affect your ability to consume the meat or have the head mounted.

Bringing out-of-province carcasses into Ontario

If you intend to hunt outside of Ontario, please go to the deer section or Chronic wasting disease for additional information and specific regulations designed to reduce the risk of spreading CWD into Ontario.

Lyme disease

Ontario is experiencing an increase in the areas where the ticks that may carry Lyme disease are found. When outdoors, practise personal protection. For detailed information visit: Tick-borne diseases.

Escaped deer, elk and pigs

The ministry wants to hear from you if you see an escaped deer, elk or pig, or detect one in trail camera photos. These escaped animals pose a threat to native species. Please contact your local ministry work centre to report escaped deer or elk. Escaped pig sightings should be reported to wildpigs@ontario.ca or 1-833-933-2355.

Ear tags

If you harvest an animal that has an ear tag with the phone number 1-866-514-2327 , this animal was chemically immobilized in the past using veterinary drugs. Health Canada has established recommended guidelines for consumption. Please call the above number for specific information on whether Health Canada would recommend that the meat be consumed.

Address, name and residency changes

You must notify the ministry of any address, name, residency or contact information change within 10 days of the change. You can update your address by accessing your account online, or by calling the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011.

Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries

WMU boundaries are roads, lakes, rivers and other physical features wherever possible. For many roads and rivers, only the portions that form WMU boundaries are shown on the map.

For detailed map information on WMU boundaries, visit find a wildlife management unit (WMU) map.

All Wildlife Management Units shown on Map 1 are in the "southern district for waterfowl".

Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries

WMU boundaries are roads, lakes, rivers and other physical features wherever possible. For many roads and rivers, only the portions that form WMU boundaries are shown on the map.

For detailed map information on WMU boundaries, visit find a wildlife management unit (WMU) map.

No small game licence is valid from June 16 to August 31 in Northern Ontario and in parts of Central Ontario north of this line (except for falconry).

Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) boundaries

WMU boundaries are roads, lakes, rivers and other physical features wherever possible. For many roads and rivers, only the portions that form WMU boundaries are shown on the map.

For detailed map information on WMU boundaries, visit find a wildlife management unit (WMU) map.

Guide requirements for the territorial district of Rainy River contact: Fort Frances District.

Hunting fees

All products with a fee are subject to 13% HST.

Other permits

Migratory game birds

To hunt migratory game birds (for example, waterfowl, common snipe, woodcock and mourning dove) in Ontario, you must have:

• a federal migratory game bird hunting permit
• a wildlife habitat conservation stamp
• an Outdoors Card
• small game licence

This includes hunting these species with falconry birds or non-indigenous falconry birds (falconry licence required). Migratory game bird hunting permits and wildlife habitat conservation stamps are available at any post office or online at purchase of a Migratory game bird hunting permit.

Export permits

• Non-resident export permit – $35. Required for exporting moose, deer, elk and bear out of Ontario.
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permit is:
  • sometimes required for exporting wolf and black bear out of Canada
  • available through Environment and Climate Change Canada

Go to the general regulations section for more information on exporting requirements.

Possession of furbearing mammals or pelts

• Notice of possession – No charge. Required if you acquire a furbearing mammal and/or pelt for personal use in some circumstances, for example, roadkill.
• Licence to possess a pelt – No charge. Required if you acquire a furbearing mammal and/or pelt in some circumstances.

Go to the small game and furbearing mammal section or visit the keep a dead wild animal page for more information.

Important licence information

How to buy licences or buy or renew Outdoors Card

• Online: use the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service
• Phone: call 1-800-288-1155 (toll-free) and use the automated telephone system
• In person: visit a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer

Note: Online and phone services accept Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit, and Debit Mastercard.

An Outdoors Card will be automatically mailed to you after you have completed your card purchase. You will still be able to hunt while you wait for your Outdoors Card to arrive in the mail by using your licence summary, which will list your valid Outdoors Card.

Outdoors Card information

An Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized card issued by the ministry which you are required to carry while hunting. A valid Outdoors Card is required for all resident and non-resident hunters who wish to purchase hunting licences.

Outdoors Cards are valid for 3 calendar years, with the expiry date listed on the card. If you purchase a 3-year small game licence or a 3-year fishing licence (or both) when you buy or renew your Outdoors Card, these 3-year licences will be printed on the back of your card and will expire with the card.

It is illegal for a hunter to hold more than one Outdoors Card with different numbers. It is also illegal to provide false information on an application to obtain an Outdoors Card or any other licence product.

Hunter accreditation requirements

You must have successfully completed Ontario’s Hunter Education Course or an Ontario-recognized equivalent requirement (for example, existing accreditation on record or documentation from a recognized jurisdiction) to be eligible to purchase hunting licences and hunt in Ontario.

Parental or guardian consent is required to obtain an Outdoors Card for any resident under 16 years old. Parental/guardian consent is provided by completing an attestation on the website or by attesting to the parental/guardian consent statement that a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer representative will read aloud to you and enter into the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. Go to the Ontario Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program section for more information on apprentice hunters (12-14-year-old residents).

Non-residents who are hunting in Ontario for the first time must be at least 16 years of age and must provide proof of accreditation from their home jurisdiction, provided that it has hunter education requirements that are equivalent to Ontario’s requirements. A list of jurisdictions with recognized equivalent education requirements can be found at hunting licence (non-residents).

Plan ahead: Non-residents must submit an original or certified copy of acceptable hunting accreditation by:

• contacting the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011 (accreditation processed within 15 business days of receipt, allowing non-residents to buy products online before arriving in Ontario)
• visiting a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer (allows non-residents to buy hunting products immediately)

Non-resident accreditation must be translated in writing into either English or French. Both the original and translated copy must be provided. Translations must be provided by certified translator (confirmed by a seal or stamp showing the translator’s membership number of a professional translation association in Canada or abroad). Go to hunting licence (non-residents of Ontario) for more information.

Residency

An Ontario resident is a person whose primary residence is in Ontario and who has lived in Ontario for a period of at least six consecutive months during the 12 months immediately before applying for a licence. All other individuals are considered non-residents (some exceptions apply to active military and RCMP personnel who have been stationed in Ontario for a period of at least one month with appropriate documentation).

Licence summary

Your licence summary is a document that lists all your valid hunting and fishing licence products. An updated licence summary will be issued to you each time you purchase a new licence product. It may be carried as a paper copy or as a download on a mobile device (or both). Your licence summary must remain intact and readable at all times.

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Paper Copy: You can print a copy of your licence summary as many times as needed for free (from any device that can access your online account and print documents). Alternatively, you can visit a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer to have your licence summary printed free-of-charge for first-time prints. Note: An administration fee will apply for replacements at ServiceOntario and licence issuers.

Digital Copy: You can carry your licence summary in a digital format, such as on a mobile device. You can have a copy of your licence summary sent to your email address by accessing your account using the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. If you choose to carry your licence summary on your mobile device, it must be in the PDF format provided to you from the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service (a photograph or screenshot of your licence summary is not valid). You are responsible for ensuring that your device has battery power and is protected from the elements to be able to display it when and where requested by a conservation officer (unless you are also carrying a paper copy with you).

You must carry your Outdoors Card, your hunting licence (either listed on your paper or electronic licence summary or printed on the back of your Outdoors Card), and any relevant tag(s) with you while hunting.

Note: If you are hunting wild turkey or wolf/coyote (in a WMU where a tag is required) and your small game licence is printed on the back of your Outdoors Card, you can simply carry your Outdoors Card and your relevant tag.

All hunting licences are valid for the year specified and expire on December 31 in the year in which they were issued unless otherwise noted. Licences are restricted to the relevant open season for hunting.

Firearms licence requirement

The Firearms Act (Canada) sets out the requirements for firearm possession. Hunters should be aware of these requirements if hunting with a gun in Ontario.

If you are in possession of a gun (includes air and pellet guns) for the purpose of hunting in Ontario, you are required to carry proof of your firearms accreditation — this includes apprentice hunters (12-14-year-old residents). You are not required to carry proof of firearms accreditation if you are hunting with a bow or crossbow in Ontario. Every gun hunter must carry one of the following:

• valid possession and acquisition licence
• valid minor’s licence (restrictions on possessing a firearm and/or requirements for supervision may apply under federal law)
• stamped copy of a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) (restrictions on possessing a firearm and/or requirements for supervision may apply under federal law) student report as official documentation showing successful completion of the CFSC

For non-residents, this could also include a valid non-resident firearms declaration form confirmed by a Canadian customs officer, or a valid temporary firearms borrowing licence for non-residents issued under the Firearms Act (Canada).

You are required to produce this documentation to a conservation officer upon request.

Note: You may submit an application for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) up to six months before you turn 18 years old. Please ensure you plan ahead to avoid any delays.

Contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 (or RCMP Firearms) for information about the requirements for firearm ownership, licensing, storage and transportation.

Transfer of licences or tags

It is illegal to transfer an Outdoors Card, licence, tag, or any component of a licence to another person, unless authorized to do so by the ministry (for example, an approved moose tag transfer). It is also illegal to use or possess an Outdoors Card, licence, tag, or any component of a licence that was issued to someone else. Only the person who was issued the tag may possess the tag unless it has been invalidated (notched) and affixed to an animal.

Requirements for Indigenous persons

Many Indigenous communities in Ontario hold Aboriginal or treaty rights to hunt. NDMNRF is committed to respecting these constitutionally-protected rights. After conservation goals are met, Aboriginal and treaty rights to hunt take priority before allocation and management of the resource for other purposes.

Aboriginal rights to hunt stem from customs, practices or traditions that are integral to the distinctive culture of an Indigenous community. Treaty rights to hunt are reserved through treaties between the Crown and Indigenous peoples. Aboriginal and treaty rights are collectively held and are associated with an Indigenous community’s traditional or treaty territory. These rights are not generic and different communities may hold different rights. Aboriginal and treaty rights to hunt can be exercised using modern means.

Members of Indigenous communities exercising an Aboriginal or treaty right generally do not require an Outdoors Card, Ontario hunting licence(s) and tag(s) when hunting for food, social or ceremonial purposes within their traditional or treaty territory. Indigenous individuals should be prepared to provide identification showing their community membership if requested by conservation officers. Members of Indigenous communities hunting outside of their traditional or treaty area must hold a valid hunting licence(s) and tag(s) and follow the corresponding regulations, or have written permission from a First Nation to hunt within their traditional or treaty territory (R. v. Shipman et al., 2007).

Non-Indigenous people may accompany Indigenous people who are hunting, but may not help them to exercise their hunting rights. For example, a non-Indigenous person may not assist an Indigenous hunter by shooting their game, carrying a gun, searching for or flushing game. They can assist in the retrieval of game or transporting of lawfully harvested game while accompanying an Indigenous person.

Getting a tag

A tag authorizes the tag holder to hunt a member of the species of game specified on the tag, subject to conditions specified on the tag. Only one animal may be harvested per tag. Tags must be carried in paper format. Tags cannot be carried or presented to a conservation officer on an electronic device. Tags are equipped with document security features to discourage fraudulent activities. It is illegal to have multiple copies of a tag or validation certificate, or to alter, modify or counterfeit a tag or validation certificate, or to possess such a product.

Tags are printed on regular paper and can be obtained:

• online through the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service and printed using a personal computer
• in person by visiting a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer

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Hunters will be able to print most tags immediately at the time of purchase, with exception of moose, deer or elk tags that are purchased before the draw deadlines, which will be available for print starting on August 20.

Note: Any controlled deer hunt validation will appear on your licence summary on September 1 after the purchase of a deer licence. An elk licence is required before an elk tag can be printed.

Tags can only be printed once. If a tag did not print or is lost, damaged, stolen and a replacement is necessary, you will be required to visit a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer for a replacement. Damaged tags must be surrendered before a replacement tag will be issued. All replacements will be tracked in the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. An administration fee of $10.50 is applied for any replacement tags.

It is illegal to apply for, purchase or possess more than one tag, unless specifically permitted (for example, additional deer tag, second bear tag).

Note: The tag issued with your deer, moose, bear and elk licence will not be listed on your licence summary.

Maintaining a tag

Tags must remain intact and readable at all times. It is your responsibility to ensure paper tags are protected from the weather or other types of damage. There are products available to help ensure your tag is protected from damage (for example, commercially available tag holders or resealable plastic bags).

Tagging requirements

Specific tagging instructions will be provided with your tag. Make sure you carefully read and follow the tagging instructions that accompany your tag.

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Attaching your tag: You are not required to attach the tag if you are immediately accompanying the animal or immediately available to produce the tag for inspection. For example, the tag holder may carry the notched or invalidated tag in a pocket while bringing the harvested animal out of the bush provided that the tag holder remains with the animal while it is being moved.

However, you must attach the tag if you are not immediately accompanying the animal or immediately available to produce the tag for inspection. For example, the tag holder must attach the tag if they leave the harvested animal at any time, including:

• transporting the animal in one vehicle while the tag holder is in another vehicle
• leaving the animal at camp while the tag holder goes out party hunting
• leaving the animal at a butcher for processing

Important: If you are unsure about whether or not to attach your tag, you should attach it.

Make sure to follow the instructions provided with the tag and shown in the table Summary of species tagging locations and identifying features. Your tag should be accessible and visible for inspection purposes even when the tag is attached to the harvested animal.

The tag must remain on your person, or attached to the animal (when required), until it has been transported to the site of processing and is being prepared for long-term storage. The animal is being prepared for long-term storage when it is being cut, wrapped and frozen or preserved.

When transporting part of a carcass that does not have a tag (for example, the animal was divided or quartered at your hunt camp prior to final transport), you must be prepared to provide information about the tag holder (for example, name, Outdoors Card number, licence number, validation number) the animal (antlered or antlerless (deer), sex and age) and details of the hunt (for example, date and location of kill) if requested by a conservation officer. Go to the general regulations section for additional requirements if you are shipping or transporting wildlife in containers.

Identifying features: For deer, moose and elk you must keep relevant identifying features with or attached to the animal according to the instructions provided with the tag, until it has been transported to the site of processing and is being prepared for long-term storage. This means you need to keep these parts with or attached to the animal until it is dropped off at the butcher or until you have prepared the animal for long-term storage yourself.

The instructions provided with your tag will specify what identifying features must remain with or attached to the animal. The relevant identifying features must remain with the animal regardless of whether you have attached the tag, or you are accompanying the animal without the tag attached.

Summary of species tagging locations and identifying features

Note: Be sure to reference the tagging instructions provided with your tag for more details. Whether you have attached your tag or not, you must keep the relevant identifying features with or attached to the animal according to the instructions provided with your tag (applies to deer, moose and elk only).

General requirements

All hunters that purchase or are issued a tag to hunt elk, deer, bear, wild turkey and wolf/coyote (in WMUs where a tag is required) and any hunter issued a licence to hunt moose must complete a hunter report. You are required to complete a hunter report even if you did not participate in the hunt or harvest an animal.

Consequences of failing to report

Thanks to all hunters who submitted their hunter report(s) last year. This information is an important part of wildlife management, and hunters play an important role. Hunters who fail to report will receive a $25 surcharge that will automatically be applied to the next draw or allocation application, licence or tag purchase for that species. The $25 surcharge will be applied for each report that a hunter fails to submit. If a hunter fails to submit a hunter report on two consecutive occasions for the same species, they will be prevented from purchasing the relevant product(s) (such as draw or allocation application, licence or tag) the following year. Note: the ministry is currently reviewing this policy and hunters will not be prevented from purchasing relevant products in 2024.

Hunters who provide false or misleading information may be subject to penalties under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.

Reporting deadlines

Generally, hunter reports must be submitted within 14 days following the end of the last hunting season for that species. Moose and black bear hunters who are required to submit their report to a moose tourist outfitter or black bear operator must provide their report back to the outfitter or operator within seven days of the close of the season. Refer to how to report for more details.

All hunters are encouraged to provide their report as soon as their hunting activities are completed. However, hunters should not report until they know they are done and must ensure the information they provide is accurate. Timely submission of reports when a hunt is complete helps to ensure accurate data to support harvest planning.

Species reporting deadlines

How to report

For most hunters (including apprentice hunters who have chosen to purchase their own licence/tag), reports must be completed by logging into your account at Ontario Fishing & Hunting Licences or by calling 1-800-288-1155. The Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service can help you remember important dates by sending you email reminders. For more information visit Hunter reporting.

Important reporting notes

• Turkey hunters are reminded that they must report at the end of their hunt and not each time they harvest.
• Resident black bear hunters must provide information on all their hunting activity and harvest for the year in a single report due December 14. Bear hunters should not submit their report until they are done hunting for the year and should make note of their spring hunting activities, observations and harvest to ensure accurate information is provided.
• Non-resident black bear hunters must return their completed report to the bear operator. The operator is responsible for returning all reports completed by their hunters to the ministry.
• All non-resident moose hunters who are registered guests of tourist outfitters must return their completed report to the outfitter. The outfitter is responsible for returning all reports completed by their hunters to the ministry.
• Ontario resident moose hunters who acquire a tag from a tourist outfitter must complete both a regular moose hunter report and provide a report to the tourist outfitter with information unique to each type of hunt reported separately. Resident moose hunters who are hunting with a tourist outfitter but do not hold a tag issued by the outfitter must report once, either online or by calling 1-800-288-1155.
• Non-resident moose hunters who hunt with an immediate relative who has a valid moose tag must submit their report by December 29 online at Ontario Fishing & Hunting Licences by logging into their account or by calling 1-800-288-1155.
• Wolf or Coyote hunters are reminded that tags are valid until December 31 and that all hunting activities from the calendar year (January 1 - December 31) must be reported on by the reporting deadline of January 14 of the following year.

Information you will be asked to provide

Hunters will be asked to provide the following information and are encouraged to keep records if they will not be providing the information until the end of the season.

• Participation – Did you hunt?
• Harvest – Did you harvest an animal? If so, where, when and what type of animal was it (for example, male or female)?
• Effort – What WMU(s) did you hunt in and how many days did you hunt in each?
• Observations – What observations did you have during the hunt? Hunters should report only the animals they saw while actively hunting.

How mandatory hunter reporting information is used

Information provided by hunters through mandatory hunter reporting is important for managing wildlife in Ontario. It specifically helps:

• monitor wildlife populations
• set tag quotas and determine the availability of additional tags
• make changes to seasons and bag limits
• inform management policies

For more information on mandatory hunter reporting and to find past results, please visit hunter reporting.

Mandatory hunter report results

Additional results are available at hunter reporting.

The Ontario Hunter Education Course instills responsible hunting practices to respect hunting regulations, prevent accidents and ensure public safety. The course can be taken in-person from a certified instructor or online.

The course provides information about:

• wildlife management
• hunter responsibilities
• hunting laws and regulations
• hunting safety and equipment
• hunting techniques
• wildlife identification

For more information about the course or how to find a course in your area, please visit Ontario Hunter Education Program.

Successful completion of the course, and purchase of applicable licences allows hunters to hunt with a bow in Ontario. In order to hunt with a gun, successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) is required. Go to the hunting licence information section for more information.

The Ontario Hunter Education Course and the CFSC are often delivered together in-person, however, both courses are available independently, if desired.

Plan ahead: Make sure you plan ahead to ensure you obtain training and accreditation well in advance of the hunting season. In Ontario, students who have taken a CFSC and test will receive a stamped copy of their CFSC student report form approximately four to six weeks from the date the paper work is received. The stamped copy of your CFSC student report form will be the official documentation showing the successful completion of the CFSC before you receive your Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) or minor’s licence.

Related links

• Canadian Firearms Program
• Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario

Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program – residents only

Ontario’s Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program (HASP) allows individuals to safely develop their hunting skills while under the direct and immediate supervision of a qualified mentor. The program provides practical training for future hunters.

Apprentice hunters must be residents who are 12–14 years old and have an Outdoors Card with hunting accreditation. Hunters who are 15 years of age and older must purchase an Outdoors Card and their own licences/tags in order to hunt.

Apprentice hunters may hunt without their own licences or tags, but must share the bag limits or tags of their mentor (or be hunting in a party with their mentor under the tag of another party member for moose, elk, deer or black bear — go to the general regulations section for party hunting regulations).

Apprentices cannot apply to hunt big game. Apprentices who hold an Outdoors Card may purchase select hunting licences and tags not obtained through a draw or allocation, which will allow them to hunt with their own bag limit.

Apprentices can buy an Outdoors Card by visiting a participating ServiceOntario in-person, where they will need to submit proof of having successfully completed the Ontario Hunter Education Course (Certificate of Completion), and attest to the parent/guardian consent statement.

Other Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program requirements

• Only residents who are 12-14 years old are eligible. If you are 15 years of age or older, you may still hunt with a mentor to develop your hunting skills, but you are required to have your own licences/tags if you are hunting.
• Apprentices must carry their Outdoors Card.
• Apprentices must be under the direct and immediate supervision of a mentor who is 18 years of age or older, and who holds a valid Outdoors Card and hunting licence (and tag if applicable) for the species being hunted.
• Apprentices must share a single firearm with their mentor.
• Apprentices must possess a federal migratory game bird hunting permit to hunt migratory game birds.
• Game wildlife must be added to the daily bag limit of the mentor, unless the apprentice has obtained their own licences or tags for the relevant species.
• All hunters (including apprentices) are required to carry their firearms licence or proof of completing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) if in possession of a gun for the purpose of hunting.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 (FWCA), is the main provincial law regulating hunting and trapping. It is enforced by conservation officers which includes police officers.

The penalties for offences under the FWCA can include:

• general offences:
  • $25,000
  • 1 year imprisonment
  • or both
• commercialization related offences:
  • $100,000
  • 2 years imprisonment
  • or both
• tickets with set fines
• court ordered hunting licence cancellations and suspensions and court orders prohibiting licence-related activities
• automatic financial penalties (surcharges) for failing to submit mandatory hunter reports, as required

Hunting includes lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed. You need a valid hunting licence to do any of these things, except where the FWCA states otherwise.

For a complete list of all “game wildlife and specially protected wildlife”, go to the Wildlife Schedules regulation.

Hunter orange

All licensed hunters, including bow hunters, falconers, wild turkey hunters, bear hunters and trappers who are hunting under their trapping licence, during a gun season for deer, elk or moose, are required to wear hunter orange. This requirement does not apply to persons who are hunting double-crested cormorants or migratory game birds, except woodcock.

In addition, all licensed bear hunters hunting during the open season for black bear, that is not a gun season for deer, elk or moose, are required to wear hunter orange except when in a tree stand.

A hunter orange garment and head cover must be worn. The hunter orange garment must cover a minimum of 400 square inches (2,580 square centimetres) above the waist and be visible from all sides (a vest made up of only a front and rear panel may not be visible from all sides). The hunter orange garment must be solid and cannot contain open mesh or camouflage orange. A garment with 400 square inches of hunter orange that also includes retro-reflective silver or yellow stripes meets the requirement. Any backpack that is worn must not completely conceal the hunter orange from being visible on that side. As a best practice hunters should have hunter orange on their backpacks. The hunter orange on the head cover must not contain camouflage material. The hunter orange head cover may have open mesh, a peak or brim color other than hunter orange and a crest or logo which does not completely cover the hunter orange on the side where it is affixed.

Hunters using ground blinds should take steps to make their blind clearly visible to other hunters who may be in the area. Use of hunter orange material on the outside of the blind is an appropriate method to mark a ground blind.

Firearms

Firearms include:

• rifles
• shotguns
• muzzle-loading guns
• air or pellet guns
• bows (including longbows, crossbows, compound bows and recurve bows)

You may use semi-automatic or repeating firearms for hunting in Ontario, but not restricted or prohibited firearms (such as fully automatic firearms). Air and pellet guns are not permitted for hunting big game, but may be used for hunting small game.

If you are hunting with a gun you are required to carry proof of your firearms accreditation.

Hunting carelessly is an offence. Hunters who handle or discharge firearms without due care and attention or consideration for persons and property are liable to a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to two years - or both. Depending on the circumstances, a person may also be subject to charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Any injury caused by the discharge of a firearm while in possession of a firearm for the purposes of hunting or trapping, which requires treatment by a physician must be reported to a conservation officer.

Before hunting, check local sunrise-sunset times. You may only hunt from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset (exceptions: night raccoon hunting and spring hunting hours for wild turkey). If you are in an area usually inhabited by wildlife during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise you must unload and encase any firearms in your possession.

To be considered encased, firearms must be enclosed on all six sides.

A firearm is considered to be loaded if it has an unfired shell or cartridge in the chamber or in a magazine that is attached to the firearm.

A muzzle-loading gun is a gun that is loaded through the muzzle. A percussion muzzle-loading gun is considered to be loaded if there is a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel and a percussion cap on the nipple. A flint-lock muzzle-loading gun is considered to be loaded if there is a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel and the vent is unplugged. An electronic ignition muzzle-loading gun is considered to be loaded if there is a projectile in the barrel and a battery connected to the primer or charge. Under federal regulations pertaining to storage and transport of firearms, a muzzle-loading gun is not unloaded unless any propellant, projectile or cartridge has been removed from the breech or firing chamber. There is an exemption on transport restrictions when traveling between hunting sites.

A crossbow is considered to be loaded if the bow is cocked and there is a bolt in the crossbow. A bow other than a crossbow is considered to be loaded if the bow is strung and an arrow is nocked.

Contact the Canadian Firearms Program at 1-800-731-4000 (or RCMP Firearms) for information about the requirements for firearm ownership, licensing, storage and transportation.

The draw length of a bow (compound, recurve, long) is the measured distance from the outer edge of the main riser (handle), following the line of an arrow to the string at the anchor point. The draw length of a crossbow is measured along the bolt ramp (where the bolt rests) from the outer edge of the main limb to the anchor point (release latch mechanism) at full draw.

Arrows must be at least 60 centimetres (23.6 inches) in length. The length of an arrow is measured from the base of the arrowhead to the bottom of the nock slot.

A head (broadhead) used for hunting big game or wild turkey must be at least 22 millimetres (0.87 inches) wide and have at least 2 sharp cutting edges.

A shotgun must be plugged so that it cannot hold more than a total of three shells in the chamber and magazine combined.

On the Aulneau Peninsula (WMU 7A), from August 15 to December 15, you may not use a centre-fire rifle or a shotgun loaded with ball or with shot larger than number 2 lead shot, triple BBB steel shot or double BB bismuth shot.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, you generally cannot possess any clip/magazine that holds more than five shots for a semi-automatic centrefire firearm.

Municipal by-laws

Some municipalities have by-laws restricting the discharge of firearms. Check with the local municipal office for details.

Sunday gun hunting

Sunday gun hunting is permitted in areas north of the French and Mattawa rivers. You can find out which municipalities permit Sunday gun hunting south of the French and Mattawa rivers by visiting Sunday gun hunting.

Summary of firearms restrictions related to roads and trails

You must not shoot from or across a right of way for public vehicular traffic anywhere in Ontario.

You must not possess a loaded firearm on or near a right of way for public vehicular traffic in most of Southern Ontario.

You must not possess a loaded firearm on or near a right of way for public vehicular traffic during an open gun season for deer or elk in large portions of Central and Northwestern Ontario.

Note: A right of way for public vehicular traffic includes a road or trail open to public use by vehicle traffic. Please refer to the table below for the specific restrictions and applicable geographic areas.

Summary of firearms restrictions for hunting in Ontario

Be sure to check relevant species sections to identify different season types and dates restricting certain types of firearms (such as bows only seasons, muzzle-loading guns and bows only)

Party hunting

A person may hunt moose, deer, or black bear in a party of two or more people who each hold a licence to hunt that species, even if the person has already invalidated their tag for that species. In these cases, at least one member of the party must hold a tag that has not yet been invalidated and the group must comply with the following conditions:

• each person must have a valid licence to hunt the big game species being hunted
• the total number of moose, elk, deer or bear of a specified sex, age or type killed by the party does not exceed the total number of tags for that sex, age or type held by the members of the party
• all members of the party must hunt together in the same Wildlife Management Unit or portion thereof, for which the tag is valid
• each member of the party must hunt within five kilometres of the person who holds the tag that is valid for the wildlife being hunted
• each member of the party must be able to reliably and immediately communicate with other members of the party
• all members of the party, including the person who holds the tag that is valid for the species that the party is hunting, must actively participate in the hunt and hunt co-operatively

Party hunting is also permitted for elk in accordance with the conditions noted above, however some additional rules apply. Go to the elk section for these additional rules.

The person who kills the animal while hunting in a party shall immediately notify all other members of the party that the animal has been killed. If the tag holder is not the person who kills the animal, the tag holder must immediately go to the kill site, confirm the type/sex/age of the animal and then invalidate their tag. Go to the tags section for more information.

If you have questions about party hunting, the best time to get answers is before the hunt begins. Contact your local ministry work centre or Natural Resources Information Support Centre (NRISC) at 1-800-387-7011 or NRISC@ontario.ca.

Note: The term ‘invalidated tag’ refers to a tag that has been notched by the tag holder immediately after the kill, at the site of the kill and before moving the animal. Go to the tags section for additional information.

Use of vehicles, boats, drones or aircraft

Aircraft, including drones and balloons, may not be used while hunting. Vehicles (includes any kind of vehicle that is driven, propelled or drawn on land or ice by any kind of power, including muscular power and includes snowmobiles and the rolling stock of a railway) or boat may not be used for chasing, pursuing, harassing, capturing, injuring or killing any wildlife.

It is illegal to have a loaded firearm in or on, or discharge a firearm from, an aircraft, vehicle (including snowmobile and all terrain vehicle) or motorboat (a motorboat is considered a boat with a motor that is attached to the boat and that is capable of being used as a means of propulsion) or anything towed by the boat. A loaded firearm may be carried in, and discharged from, a canoe or boat that is being paddled, with no motor attached.

There is an exception to the prohibition on loaded firearms in a motorboat if you are hunting double-crested cormorants in accordance with the regulations (go to double-crested Cormorants for more information) or waterfowl in accordance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

Note: There is an exception (requires an authorization) to having a loaded firearm in a vehicle or motor boat if a person has a mobility disability and meets one of the following criteria.

1. A paraplegic or hemiplegic.
2. A single (above the knee) lower limb amputation or a double (below the waist) amputation.
3. Suffers severe disability and cannot hunt without the use of a wheelchair or similar means of locomotion. In this case, the hunter must provide a medical certificate stating disability.

Plan ahead to allow for the processing of requests. To apply for an authorization, please visit Hunting licence (Ontario residents) or call NRISC at 1-800-387-7011, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Dogs

All dogs used to hunt deer, moose or black bear must be licensed for the purposes of hunting. There are some areas where dogs are not permitted to be used for hunting deer or moose (go to season tables of the deer and moose section for additional details). Dogs may not be used to hunt elk.

Dogs are not permitted to run at large in areas usually inhabited by big game during the closed season. It is your responsibility to ensure your dog does not enter private property that you do not have permission to hunt on or where hunting is prohibited in contravention of the Trespass to Property Act. Hunters are responsible for ensuring their dogs are under their control and that hunting activities are conducted lawfully.

During lawful hunting hours, you are permitted to use a leashed dog (dog does not require a licence) to track and retrieve wounded big game during the open season provided the dog is kept on a leash that has a maximum length of 10 metres and the dog is under the physical control of the dog handler at all times. The licensed hunter who wounded the animal must be with the dog and handler, and if party hunting, the holder of the tag must also be present.

The person handling the tracking dog must not be carrying a firearm unless properly licensed to hunt the animal being tracked.

To hunt raccoon at night, you must be accompanied by a dog licensed for the purposes of hunting and you must have a resident small game licence or be hunting under the authority of a trapping licence in the area described on the licence.

To conduct dog training and field trials on game species during the closed season an authorization or licence issued by the ministry is required. An appropriate hunting licence is required during the open hunting season.

Many municipalities have by-laws regarding dogs, including by-laws that may affect the use of dogs while hunting. Check with the local municipal office for details.

If you are bringing a dog into Canada from the United States, you must have a certificate, signed by a veterinarian licensed in Canada or in the United States, stating that the dog has been vaccinated against rabies during the preceding 36 months. For more information, check with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Snares

Snares cannot be used under a small game licence, except by the holder of a resident small game licence taking snowshoe hare north of the French and Mattawa rivers with a snare constructed of copper or brass wire between 22 and 24 gauge. The opening of the snare wire loop must be 10 centimetres (four inches) or less in diameter.

Poison and adhesives

It is illegal to use poison and adhesives to kill, injure or capture wildlife, including in protection of property.

Big game – swimming

You may not hunt moose, elk, deer or black bear while they are swimming.

Trespassing

It is unlawful to enter private property once notice has been given that entry is prohibited, or that certain activities like hunting are prohibited. Notice of no trespassing may be given in a variety of ways, including verbally, signs, symbols (for example a red circle four inches in diameter), coloured markings or fences. Lands under cultivation are also considered to be notice against entry.

Always ask for permission and obey posted signs.

Not all land is signed. Unsigned lands may be private land as well. It is your responsibility to find out who owns the land you wish to hunt on and to determine if entry is prohibited or certain activities like hunting are prohibited. If unsure, stay out. If a wounded animal runs onto private property where notice has been given that entry is prohibited or certain activities like hunting have been prohibited, you must seek permission to retrieve the animal. Positive landowner or occupier/hunter relationships are important to the future of hunting in Ontario.

You may not enter private land in a party of more than 12 persons without the express permission of the occupier if any member of the party possesses a firearm or other hunting device.

Before hunting on Indian Reserves, ask the permission of the Band Council.

You must have written permission from the landowner on the form provided by the ministry to hunt elk on private land, to hunt moose in WMU 65 on private land, and to hunt deer in WMUs 43A, 43B and 44 on private land. Form is available online.

Wildlife Management Areas

There are some designated areas within the province which provide special opportunities for hunting (Such as Special Hunting Areas, Provincial Wildlife Areas, Wildlife Extension Landowner Agreement Areas). The majority of these areas are found in the southern part of the province. These areas may have seasonal or daily user fees. Hunters interested in hunting in these areas should contact the local ministry work centre for more information.

Crown Game Preserves

It is illegal to hunt or trap in Crown Game Preserves. In addition, you may not use or possess firearms in Crown Game Preserves, unless you live on private land within a Crown Game Preserve.

Hunting in provincial parks

Hunting is permitted in a number of provincial parks in Ontario. Hunters should always check with the appropriate park office regarding areas open to hunting, species that can be hunted, seasons and other restrictions that apply in each park. Call 1-800-387-7011 for assistance.

Camping on Crown land and in conservation reserves

Most Crown land and conservation reserves are available year-round for personal, temporary use, at no cost. Some restrictions apply to certain activities and areas. Non-residents of Canada who are 18 years of age or older generally require a permit to camp on Crown land in Northern Ontario or in a conservation reserve anywhere in Ontario.

For more information:

• contact your local ministry work centre
• contact NRISC at 1-800-387-7011 or NRISC@ontario.ca
• visit Recreational activities on Crown land

Note: Non-residents are prohibited from camping on Crown land within 1 kilometre of the following road systems in Kenora and Fort Frances Districts between October 1 and November 15:

• Highway 71 and roads branching off Highway 71 from Strachan Road to the junction of Highway 17
• Highway 596, Caribou Falls Road and Sand Lake Road and all roads branching off these roads to the junction of the English River Road
• Rush Bay Road and branch roads
• Shoal Lake Road and branch roads
• Gundy Lake Road and branch roads

For more information, contact the Kenora work centre at (807) 468-2501 or the Fort Frances work centre at (807) 274-5337.

Conservation officers

Conservation officers are appointed under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and include: Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a police officer or First Nations constable appointed under the Police Services Act, a game officer designated under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, a park warden designated under the Canada National Parks Act, and a person whose primary employment responsibility is enforcement of fish and wildlife laws in a border jurisdiction if they are acting under the direction of a conservation officer. Conservation officers have powers of inspection, arrest, search and seizure under the various laws they enforce, including the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the Fisheries Act.

Conservation officers have authority to enforce the:

• Off-Road Vehicles Act
• Motorized Snow Vehicles Act
• Liquor Licence Act
• Canada Shipping Act

When carrying out their duties, or investigating an offence under these statutes or the corresponding regulations, conservation officers may have the power to:

• stop and/or inspect a vehicle, boat or aircraft
• inspect firearms, ammunition, wildlife or fish
• ask questions relevant to the inspection
• inspect buildings or other places
• enter and cross-over private property
• search with a warrant
• search without a warrant in circumstances requiring immediate action
• seize items related to the offence
• arrest anyone they believe has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence

Conservation officers operate game check stations throughout the year. At these stations, conservation officers collect information on game taken by hunters and make sure the regulations are being followed in order to better manage our wildlife resources. During an inspection, hunters are required to provide reasonable assistance and provide accurate information about the hunt.

When transporting game harvested by another hunter, you must be prepared to provide information about the hunter (e.g. name, Outdoors Card number, licence number) and details of the hunt (e.g. date and location of kill) if requested by a conservation officer.

Game wildlife and parts

Black bear gallbladders: It is illegal to possess a gallbladder that has been removed from a black bear.

With the exception of furbearing mammals and double-crested cormorants (subject to disposal requirements, go to Small game and furbearing mammal hunting regulations) you may not let the flesh of any harvested game wildlife that is suitable for food become spoiled or abandoned. This includes black bear.

A hunter who kills a furbearing mammal (for example, coyote, raccoon) shall not abandon the pelt or permit the pelt to be spoiled or destroyed. A pelt is the untanned skin of a furbearing mammal, whether or not the skin is on a carcass.

In general, it is illegal to buy, sell or barter any game wildlife or specially protected wildlife or their parts (including taxidermy mounts). There are some exemptions – please contact local ministry work centre for more information. You may purchase the meat of a furbearing mammal from a licensed trapper or farmer for consumption by your immediate family. A person selling a carcass of a furbearing mammal for consumption must advise the buyer in writing that the meat has not been inspected under the Food Safety and Quality Act.

For information on buying or selling hides or cast (naturally shed) antlers or on serving wild game at charitable events, visit Buy or sell wild animal hides or antlers (native to Ontario) or Serve fish or wild game at charitable event or call 1-800-387-7011.

Shipping

Unless accompanied by the hunter or trapper who lawfully harvested the animal, receptacles (or containers) containing game wildlife or specially protected wildlife that are being shipped or transported to points inside or outside Ontario must have the names and addresses of the sender and receiver, and a list of the contents, written on the outside.

Import

It is an offence to possess wildlife that was killed, captured, taken, possessed, transported, bought, sold or removed from another jurisdiction contrary to the laws of that jurisdiction. It is an offence to sell wildlife from another jurisdiction if the sale is not permitted in the jurisdiction from which it was originally exported.

To prevent the introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Ontario has amended its regulations restricting the import and possession of parts from all members of the deer family (including white-tailed deer, American elk, moose and caribou) harvested in other jurisdictions. Go to Chronic wasting disease for more information.

Export

Non-residents must have an Ontario non-resident export permit to export moose, deer, elk or black bear that were killed in Ontario, or their parts.

Export permits are not required for taxidermy mounts or tanned hides of a black bear, white-tailed deer, moose or elk.

An export licence for furbearing mammals and their pelts is required to export any furbearing mammal (including a wolf or coyote) or their pelt out of Ontario whether it originated from Ontario or not. This also includes pelts from farmed animals, carcasses and live furbearing mammals. Royalties are payable on all wild Ontario furbearing mammals prior to their export from Ontario. You may obtain an export licence from a local ministry work centre.

Export licences are also not required for pelts or other parts of furbearing mammals that have been treated by a taxidermist or that have been lawfully bought or sold and are tanned, treated, or manufactured into commercial products. Artwork or jewellery made from game wildlife, where the primary value is in the artwork or jewellery and not in the wildlife, is also exempt from the requirement for an export permit.

In some provinces and countries, importation of wildlife is regulated. Hunters should check for any import requirements to avoid delays when returning home with harvested game.

Canadian CITES export permits

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement which regulates trade in a number of species of animals and plants, their parts and derivatives, and any articles made from them. In some instances, a CITES permit is required to export an animal, or parts of an animal, from Canada.

Residents and non-residents need a Canadian CITES export permit to export wolf, black bear and several other species from Canada. The CITES permit requirement is waived for U.S. or Canadian residents in some instances, where a black bear is being exported. Go to the black bear section for more information. Please contact the Environment and Climate Change Canada to make arrangements to obtain a CITES permit. Please allow up to 21 days to receive a permit. It is recommended to apply well in advance of the trip and apply for permits for all CITES listed species that you may harvest.

Applying to hunt big game

Some big game hunting opportunities for Ontario residents require a hunter to apply to and be successful in a draw or allocation process. These include obtaining:

• an antlerless deer tag in the antlerless deer draw
• a controlled deer validation in the controlled deer draw
• a moose tag in the moose tag allocation process
• an elk tag and/or licence in the elk draw

When applying to hunt big game make sure you:

• have a valid Outdoors Card
• apply early in the application period – do not wait until the last day
• submit only one application in your name per draw or allocation stage
• are at least 15 years old on the date you apply

Hunters may apply to the big game draws by 1 of 3 ways:

• Online: at Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service
• Phone: by calling 1-800-288-1155
• In-person: by visiting a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer

To apply you will need:

• a valid Outdoors Card
• method of payment (Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit, and Debit Mastercard are accepted)
• any hunt codes that correspond to your choices. Hunt codes can be found in the moose, deer and elk sections of this summary. (Note: No hunt codes are needed for the antlerless deer draw)
• your group number (if you are applying to the controlled deer draw or elk draw as a member of a group)

Whichever option you choose to apply, online, phone or in-person, it is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure that your applications are valid and choices are entered correctly.

Applying online

You can visit Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service to purchase a licence and apply to the draw, either all at once or in separate transactions. Applying to the elk draw or moose tag allocation process requires an application fee. The information you enter electronically is your application to the draw and you will be asked to confirm that your choices are correct.

Once you have completed and submitted the application, save a copy of your draw application receipt for future reference.

Applying by telephone

You can apply to a big game draw by calling 1-800-288-1155 during the application period. This toll-free number is open from 8:30am ET on the first day of the application period and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week until 11:59 p.m. ET of the application deadline. Phone lines will be open during the following periods:

• moose primary allocation: April 1 to April 30
• moose second chance allocation: June 15 to July 8
• elk: April 15 to June 10
• antlerless deer: March 1 to July 2
• controlled deer: July 1 to July 31

Once you have completed your application, you will be asked to confirm that your choices are correct and you will receive an authorization number.

Applying in-person

You can apply to hunt big game in person at a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer.

Individual applications

You can only apply to the antlerless deer draw and the moose tag allocation process as an individual applicant. The controlled deer draw and the elk draw allow for individual or group applications.

If applying as an individual you must enter your choice of WMU, or hunt code (if applicable) which represents your choice of WMU, animal type (if applicable) and season/firearm type (if applicable). Each individual applicant will be given an authorization number. The authorization number confirms that the hunter has successfully entered into the draw or allocation. Please record this authorization number for your records.

Group applications

If you intend to hunt in a party in a controlled deer season or for elk, it is to your advantage to apply as a group. The maximum number of hunters that can apply as a group is four (the group leader plus up to three group members).

Group leader

The group leader must be the first member of the group to apply. The group leader is the only member of a group who enters the hunt code representing the group’s choice of WMU/harvest area and season (if applicable). The group leader is then provided with a group number to identify the group and its choices. The group leader must give the group number to the group members, so they may add their names to the group’s application when submitting their application.

Group member

Each group member must obtain the group number from the group leader before entering the draw. Members will be asked for the group number so the group can be identified and linked together for application to the draw.

Application results

Applicants can go online to Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service or call 1-800-288-1155, for their application results. Go to the important dates section to find when draw results are available. Hunters will need their 15-digit Outdoors Card number (or account login information if checking online) to access their results.

Moose tag allocation

Applicants awarded a tag must claim the tag to be issued it. All moose hunters must have a moose licence. Applying to the moose tag allocation process does not provide you with a moose licence. Go to the moose section or points-based moose tag allocation process.

White-tailed deer seasons

New White-tailed deer season map

The white-tailed deer season map is a new way for you to view the information in the white-tailed deer hunting season tables. To use the map:

1. Select either resident or non-resident of Ontario.
2. Zoom in on, or search for the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) you are interested in (for example "WMU 38").
3. Click on the WMU. The dates of the open season(s) for white-tailed deer hunting will appear as a list and in a calendar. Click on the window title to expand and view the seasons and calendar.

You can save or print these WMU-specific deer season summaries so you can reference them later.

Information contained in this map is available in the tables below.

Note: This map is neither a legal document nor a complete collection of the current regulations. See the how to use this Regulation Summary section for more details.

Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loading guns and bows

The information in the tables below is also available in the map above.

Notes:

• footnote 1 ^[1][1] indicates that rifles are not permitted during the open resident and non-resident seasons
• use of dogs is not permitted in WMUs 5, 8, 10, 43A, 43B, 44, 45, 65, 71, 72A, 73, 75, 82A, 82B, 83A and 84. Landowner’s written permission is required when hunting on private property in WMUs 43A, 43B and 44
• WMUs 82C, 83B, 83C and 93C have unique deer seasons and administration. Please contact the local ministry work centre for more information

Muzzle-loading guns and bows

Note: Use of dogs is not permitted during the muzzle-loading guns and bows seasons, except in WMUs 7A, 18B and 59. Landowner’s written permission is required when hunting on private property in WMUs 43A and 43B.

Bows only

Notes:

• footnote 2 ^[2][2] excluding parts of WMU 54 which lie within boundaries of Algonquin Provincial Park
• use of dogs is not permitted during the bows only seasons. Landowner’s written permission is required when hunting on private property in WMUs 43A, 43B and 44. WMUs 82C and 93C have unique deer seasons and administration.
• WMU 77A is a federal military base and has unique access permission requirements. Please contact your local ministry work centre for more information

Controlled deer hunt seasons (with hunt codes)

Controlled deer hunt notes:

• unless otherwise indicated, only shotguns, muzzle-loading guns and bows are permitted in controlled deer hunts
• footnote 3 ^[1][3] indicates that rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loading guns and bows are permitted
• footnote 4 ^[4][4] indicates that only muzzle-loading guns and bows are permitted
• footnote 5 ^[5][5] indicates that only shotguns and muzzle-loading guns are permitted
• footnote 6 ^[6][6] indicates that only muzzle-loading guns are permitted
• the use of dogs is not permitted during controlled deer hunts
• controlled deer hunt validations are for antlered or antlerless deer, except a portion are for antlered deer only in WMUs 76A, 76B, 76C, 76D, 76E, 77B, 77C, 78A and 78B. Applicants to these WMUs do not specify their preferred validation type. Your licence summary will indicate which validation type you were randomly drawn for
• WMU 77A is a federal military base and has unique access permission requirements. Please contact your local ministry work centre for more information

Deer hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt deer must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• deer licence or farmer’s deer licence listed on your licence summary
• deer tag or additional deer tag (validated for the appropriate season/firearm, area and type of deer) or be party hunting with a person who has a valid deer tag or additional deer tag
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

The deer tag included with the purchase of a deer licence or farmer's deer licence is valid for one antlered deer (a deer with at least one antler of at least 7.5 centimetres long) in any WMU with an open season. Note: the controlled deer hunt section describes the additional requirements for hunting during a controlled deer hunt season.

Resident hunters wishing to hunt an antlerless deer (deer with no antlers or antlers both less than 7.5 centimetres long, which generally include adult female deer and fawns of both sexes) should apply to the antlerless deer draw and/or the controlled deer hunt draw depending on their WMU and season of preference. Note: Hunters may also hunt an antlerless deer by purchasing an additional deer tag valid for antlerless deer or by party hunting with a person who has a deer tag or additional deer tag valid for an antlerless deer.

Resident hunters successful in the antlerless deer draw will be issued a deer tag that identifies the tag as being valid for 1 antlerless deer in a specific WMU or 1 antlered deer in any WMU.

Note: only farmers (or an immediate relative) whose primary occupation is farming who live upon and till land which they own are eligible for a farmer's deer licence. The immediate relatives of a farmer may only purchase this licence if their primary occupation is farming and they also live upon and till the land. The tag that is issued with a farmer’s deer licence is only valid for the geographic area in which the farmer’s land is located. Farmers must identify the geographic area in which their land is located and complete an attestation online or in-person at a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer.

Deer hunting regulations

Hunters are only permitted to harvest the type of deer identified on their deer tag or additional deer tag, except in the following circumstances:

• if party hunting, a hunter may harvest the type of deer identified on the deer tag (or additional deer tag) of a member of their hunting party
• if hunting in a controlled deer hunt, a hunter may only harvest the type of deer identified on their (or their party member’s) controlled deer hunt validation listed on their licence summary or their additional controlled deer tag

Tagging and transporting

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting. Additional information on shipping and exporting can be found in the general regulations section.

Mandatory hunter reporting requirements

Go to the hunter reporting requirements section for details on timelines and how to submit your report.

Firearms

Big game, including deer, may only be hunted with a firearm (includes bows). When hunting deer, you may only use or carry a firearm of the type permitted for hunting deer at that time in that WMU. For example, when hunting deer during a bows-only season, you may only use and carry a bow. Specifications on the firearms, ammunition, arrows and broadheads that are permitted when hunting deer are found in the general regulations section.

Party hunting for deer

Party hunting is permitted during the open season for deer under a set of specific conditions. The list of conditions is listed in the general regulations section.

A person shall not hunt deer in a party during a controlled deer hunt season unless their licence summary has been validated for that specific controlled deer hunt season. The exception is an apprentice hunter who is hunting with a licensed mentor (in which case the mentor must have their licence summary validated for the relevant controlled deer hunt season).

Dogs

The use of dogs is permitted for hunting deer during some seasons (a dog licence is required in these cases) — go to the deer season tables for information on when dogs are not permitted. In areas where the use of dogs is prohibited for hunting, dogs may still be used to track and retrieve a deer that has been wounded during a lawful hunt (go to the general regulations section for more information).

Guides

Non-residents must employ one licensed guide for each two hunters when hunting deer in the Territorial District of Rainy River. WMUs within the Territorial District of Rainy River are 9B, 10, 11A and parts of 7B and 12B — go to the WMU maps (Southwestern Ontario, Southeastern Ontario and Northern Ontario) sections and deer season tables for more information.

Additional deer tags

When deer populations in certain WMUs warrant, hunters may be offered the opportunity to harvest an additional deer through the purchase of additional deer tags or additional controlled deer tags.

Information regarding this year's additional deer tags (WMUs, hunt codes) will be posted online at: Apply for an additional deer tag when available. If you do not have internet access, please contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011.

Additional deer tags are available on a first come, first served basis. Additional deer tags may also be available to non-residents in WMUs with a non-resident deer season. A deer licence is required before you can purchase an additional deer tag.

Note: Additional deer tags are not valid during controlled deer hunt seasons. Additional deer tags may have a geographic restriction and be valid in only the part of the WMU specified online and on the tag. Hunters are responsible to ensure they are hunting in the correct WMU or part of a WMU.

Controlled deer hunt

Ontario residents who wish to hunt in a controlled deer hunt must have a valid Outdoors Card and apply, and be successful, in the controlled deer hunt draw. If you are successful in the draw you will receive a controlled deer hunt validation. Eligible farmers and landowners may instead apply for a farmer/landowner validation for themselves and/or their immediate relatives (go to Farmer and landowner controlled hunt validation for details). Successful applicants need to print an updated licence summary that lists their controlled deer hunt validation (area, season, type of deer).

It is not necessary to purchase a deer licence prior to applying to the controlled deer hunt draw; however, hunters who receive a validation in the draw must purchase a deer licence before their validation will appear on their licence summary and before they can hunt in the controlled hunt. Each hunter who receives a validation in the draw is permitted to hunt deer in the WMU specified on their licence summary during the period indicated, so long as they also meet the deer hunting requirements. The validation also identifies the type of deer that can be harvested on the hunter's deer tag during the period indicated. The validation is for an antlerless or antlered deer, unless the validation specifies antlered deer only. Whether a hunter has been successful in the antlerless deer draw is not relevant to the type of deer they can harvest during a controlled deer hunt season. Hunters who do not have a licence summary showing a controlled deer validation may not participate in the controlled deer hunt.

Note: Apprentice hunters (12–14 years old) are not eligible to apply to the controlled hunt draw or receive a controlled deer hunt validation, but they may participate in a controlled hunt with a mentor who has a controlled deer hunt validation for the relevant season listed on their licence summary. Any deer harvested must be using the mentor’s validation and tag in these cases.

Controlled deer hunt draw applicants who wish to hunt in a party should apply as a group (using the group number provided by the group leader) rather than as individuals. The benefit of this is that if your group application is selected in the draw, every hunter listed on your application will receive a controlled deer hunt validation. The applicant who hunts in a party but applies as an individual risks being the only hunter in the party who is successful, or unsuccessful, in the draw. Individual and group applicants have the same chance of success in the draw.

For instructions on how to apply to the controlled deer hunt draw, go to how to apply to hunt big game section.

Note: Additional controlled deer tags may only be purchased by a person who holds a controlled deer hunt validation for the relevant WMU and season. Additional controlled deer tags are only valid during the controlled deer hunt season specified on the tag.

Farmer and landowner controlled hunt validation

Farmers and landowners (or an immediate relative) may be eligible to receive a controlled deer hunt validation for one controlled deer hunt season if they meet one of the following criteria:

• they own a parcel of 20 hectares (50 acres) or more of land in a WMU with a controlled hunt
• their occupation is farming and they have an Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Farm Business Registration Number (or letter of exemption from the Farm Organization Accreditation Tribunal) in a WMU with a controlled hunt
• they are the owner or the sole designated representative (president, vice-president, treasurer or secretary) of a company which owns a parcel of land of 20 hectares (50 acres) or more in the WMU with a controlled deer hunt

Farmers and landowners who meet the eligibility criteria may submit one application for a controlled deer hunt validation by completing an attestation statement online or in-person at a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer. An immediate relative of the farmer or landowner meeting the above criteria also qualifies to receive a controlled deer hunt validation tag. During the application process the farmer or landowner will indicate if they wish to add any immediate relatives, the farmer or landowner will require the outdoors card number of the relative and the relationship to them in order to complete the process. An immediate relative is a person's grandparent, parent, spouse, child, step-child, sibling, or grandchild (including equivalent step-family relationships).

Note: You must have a valid Outdoors Card and a valid deer licence or farmer’s deer licence before your controlled deer hunt validation will appear on your licence summary.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

CWD is a progressive, fatal and untreatable disease of the central nervous system in members of the deer family, or “cervids” (for example, deer, elk, moose, caribou). CWD is a similar disease to scrapie in sheep, mad cow disease in cattle and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in humans. CWD has been detected in over 30 states and four Canadian provinces. The disease can severely reduce cervid populations. With the help of hunters, the ministry has found no evidence that CWD is present in Ontario’s wildlife, but it is important to be vigilant. 

For more information please visit: Chronic wasting disease.

Symptoms

CWD is a progressive disease. An infected animal may appear normal for several years before signs are noticeable.

Symptoms may include:

• uncoordinated movements
• drooping head
• excessive thirst
• extreme loss of weight

How CWD is spread

CWD is very contagious. It can be spread through the saliva, urine, faeces, and blood of infected animals, or by exposure to a contaminated environment. There is evidence that the abnormal prions that cause the disease may remain infectious in the environment, such as in soil, for years.

CWD and humans

The World Health Organization has said that there is no current scientific evidence that CWD can infect humans. However, it recommends that humans or animals should not eat meat or organs from CWD infected or sick appearing animals.

Ontario's CWD plan

Ontario’s CWD Prevention and Response Plan is working to minimize the threat posed by CWD and protect the significant benefits provided by cervid species in the province.

Keeping Chronic Wasting Disease out of Ontario

Ontario has a number of laws in place to help prevent CWD from entering Ontario.

Allowed to import:

• packaged and deboned meat
• finished taxidermy mounts
• tanned hides and skins
• cleaned skull plate and antlers with no tissue attached

Illegal to possess or use:

• products (including lures) that contain bodily fluids from cervids for any purpose, including hunting

A permit is required to:

• transport live, captive cervids into, through or between points within the province

Note: Most jurisdictions have regulations in place governing the transport of cervid carcasses through their area. Contact the appropriate government agency in the jurisdictions where you intend to transport cervid carcasses to avoid inconvenience, potential seizure of game and charges.

How hunters and the public can help

• Know, follow and tell others about CWD prevention rules.
• Avoid feeding wild cervids to limit the spread of disease.
• Only use synthetic (artificial) or plant-based attractants.
• If you are feeding cervids, only use bait produced in Ontario.
• Always practice safe carcass handling procedures (for example, wear rubber or latex gloves when field dressing deer, and minimize contact with eyes, brain, spinal cord, spleen, tonsil, lymph nodes, or bones of the skull and spinal column.
• Report any deer displaying signs of illness by noting the location, taking photos if it is safe to do so, and contacting the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781, the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-667-1940, or email cwd@ontario.ca.
• Immediately contact your local ministry work centre if you become aware of a positive CWD test from an animal that was harvested out-of-province, so that your meat can be safely disposed.
• The ministry encourages hunters to take part in annual surveillance of CWD by providing samples of their harvested deer for testing. Hunters can visit Chronic Wasting Disease to learn more about specific annual testing locations.

Last year's antlerless deer draw results

Last year's controlled deer hunt validation draw results

Cervid family comparison

Ontario has four different wild members of the cervid/deer family. You must have a valid licence and tag for the species you are hunting. There is no open season for caribou and a limited open season for elk, so you must be absolutely certain that the animal you see is the right species, sex and age.

There are differences in the size, shape and colour of moose, white-tailed deer, elk and caribou.

Moose seasons

Moose tags are valid only for the Wildlife Management Unit, moose type(s) and season(s) indicated on the tag. A bull tag or a cow/calf tag valid for the bows only season (a “bow tag”) is valid only during the bows only season. A bull tag or a cow/calf tag valid for the every firearm/”gun” season is valid only during that season. Calf tags are valid for the full length of the moose hunting season(s) in the WMU they are issued for (in both the bows only and “gun” seasons).

Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loading guns and bows
(the "gun" seasons when "gun tags" are valid)

Note: The hunting of predominantly white-coloured moose (over 50% white) is not permitted in WMUs 30 and 31.

Bows and muzzle-loading guns only
(seasons when bows and muzzle-loading guns only tags are valid)

Bows only
(season when "bow tags" are valid)

Note: The hunting of predominantly white-coloured moose (over 50% white) is not permitted in WMUs 30 and 31.

Resident seasons with controlled hunter numbers

Moose hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt moose in Ontario must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• moose licence listed on your licence summary
• moose tag (valid for the appropriate season/firearm, area, and type of moose), or be party hunting with a person who has a valid moose tag
• proof of firearms accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

Reminders

Applying to the moose tag allocation process does not provide you with a moose licence. To party hunt with a tag holder you must purchase a moose licence prior to your hunt. In order to hold a moose tag you must purchase a moose licence.

A moose licence does not include a calf tag. WMU-specific calf tags can be applied for through the allocation process described under the points-based moose tag allocation process section and at Points-based moose tag allocation process.

Tag types are:

• bull tags valid only for harvest of a bull moose and specific to a WMU and season (such as bows only season)
• cow/calf tags valid for either a cow or a calf moose and specific to a WMU and season (such as gun season)
• calf tags valid only for the harvest of a calf moose and specific to a WMU and all seasons (such as both the bows only and gun seasons)

Moose hunting regulations

Tagging and transporting

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting. Additional information on shipping and exporting can be found in the general regulations section.

Mandatory hunting reporting

There is a mandatory hunter reporting requirement for all moose licence holders. Go to the mandatory hunter reporting section for details on timelines and how to submit your report.

Firearms

Big game, including moose, may only be hunted with a firearm (includes bows). When hunting moose, you may only use or carry a firearm of the type (rifle, shotgun, bow or muzzle-loading gun) permitted for hunting moose at that time in that WMU. For example, when hunting moose during a bows only season, you may only use and carry a bow. Specifications on the firearms, ammunition, arrows and broadheads that are permitted when hunting moose are found in general regulations section.

Party hunting for moose

Party hunting is permitted during the open season for moose under a set of specific conditions. The list of conditions is listed in the general regulations section.

To party hunt on a moose tag from a tourist outfitter, you must be a registered guest of the outfitter. Go to the hunting with a tourist outfitter section.

Moose hunting in WMU 65

In WMU 65 there are no dogs allowed. Hunters wishing to hunt moose in WMU 65 are required to obtain written landowner permission. Hunters must have a tag specifically validated for WMU 65 or have a partner permit (in addition to their moose licence) that is associated with the hunter who has a tag validated for WMU 65. Contact Kemptville work centre at 613-258-8204 for additional details.

Opportunities for moose hunters with lower limb disabilities

Hunters with disabilities may apply for a moose tag in any WMU, however there are two WMUs (11B and 65) that offer seasons specifically for resident moose hunters with lower limb disabilities. Hunters who qualify for these seasons are people who:

• are paraplegic or hemiplegic
• have a single, above the knee, lower limb amputation, or a double, below the waist amputation
• have a severe disability and cannot hunt without the use of a wheelchair (or similar means of locomotion). These cases require a medical certificate

Qualified hunters wishing to take part should apply for a tag in the points-based allocation process. Such applications will be considered like any other; there are no separate quotas.

For more information regarding WMU 11B, please contact Thunder Bay work centre at 807-475-1471. For more information regarding WMU 65, please contact the Kemptville work centre at 613-258-8204.

Points-based moose tag allocation process

Overview

• Moose tags are distributed to Ontario residents using a points-based process.
• The process includes two stages with different application periods, the:
  • primary allocation stage
  • second chance allocation stage
• Hunters awarded a tag in either stage will decide whether to claim it before the respective tag claim deadline.
• The minimum points required to be awarded each tag type and whether tags remain available beyond the first choice is not set in advance, but is determined solely by how many hunters choose each tag type relative to the quota and their points.
• Go to what to consider when you apply for information about last year’s allocation results.

Primary allocation stage

Review quotas and apply: April 1 to April 30

• April 1: the ministry publishes tag quotas for the primary allocation stage and the application period opens.
• Hunter pays $15 application fee.
• Hunter can make up to three choices for a tag type:
  • Wildlife Management Unit
  • moose type
  • season/firearm type
  • Go to reminders for information on tag types. You can apply for a point directly by selecting WMU “99Z” (hunt code "999") as your first choice rather than applying for a tag. You will be allowed to change your mind and apply for a tag in the second chance allocation stage. Complete your application by April 30 for the primary allocation stage. Hunters are encouraged to apply early in the application period and make sure to keep record of their application receipt or confirmation number for reference.
• You can apply online at Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service, by calling the automated phone line at 1-800-288-1155 or in person at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario.
• Go to the How to apply to a big game draw section and service options for more information.

How it works

Each tag type is allocated separately in a series of up to 3 steps.

1. Each tag type will be allocated to the hunters with the most points who selected that tag type as their first choice.
   • For example, all first-choice applicants for a given tag type will be ordered by their points. Tags will be awarded in descending order from highest to lowest points.
2. If tags remain available, the applicants with the most points that selected that tag type as their second choice will be awarded tags.
3. If tags are still available, this process will be repeated for third-choice applicants.

A random draw will be used to break ties when there are more applicants with the same points than the number of tags that remain available.

Check primary allocation results and claim tag: May 16 to June 7

• Allocation results for the primary allocation will be available May 16.
• Check if you were awarded a tag online at Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service or by calling the automated phone line at 1-800-288-1155.
• Claim your tag before the deadline on June 7 by buying your moose licence and purchasing your tag. See section on fees.
• Your points will reset to zero when you claim a tag awarded in the primary allocation stage.
• You can claim your tag by purchasing a moose licence and your tag online, by phone or at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario.
• You must claim your tag by June 7 for it to be issued to you. Unclaimed tags will be made available for other hunters to apply for in the second chance allocation stage.
• There is currently no penalty for not claiming a tag.
• Hunters who choose not to claim a tag or who are unsuccessful in the primary allocation stage can apply to the second chance allocation stage without paying a second application fee.

Second chance allocation stage

Apply: June 15 to July 8

• On June 15 the ministry publishes the remaining number of tags available for the second chance allocation stage and the second chance application period opens.
• Numbers of tags remaining available can be accessed at moose tag quotas and hunt codes or by calling 1-800-288-1155. Hunt codes for remaining tag types will remain unchanged between stages.
• Tags available will include those that weren’t applied for or went unclaimed in the primary allocation stage.
• Hunters can submit a new application to the second chance allocation stage unless they already claimed a tag in the primary allocation stage. Your previous choices will not automatically carry forward to the second chance allocation.
• Hunters can again make up to three choices for a tag type.
• Hunters can select WMU “99Z” (hunt code "999") as their first choice if they do not wish to be awarded a tag based on points. They can also enter a second or third choice for a tag awarded by random draw.

How it works

• Like the primary allocation stage, tags will be awarded to the first-choice applicants with the most points.
• If tags remain available, a random draw will be used to allocate tags among hunters who applied for that tag type as their second choice.
• If tags are still available, a random draw will be used to allocate tags among hunters who applied for that tag type as their third choice.

Check second chance allocation results and claim tag: August 1 to end of season

• Allocation results for the second chance allocation will be available August 1.
• You can choose to claim your tag after August 1 and before the end of the relevant season by buying your moose licence and paying for your tag.
• You can claim your tag by purchasing a moose licence and your tag online or at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario.
• Your points reset to zero if you claim a tag you were awarded from your first choice in the second chance allocation stage. If you applied to WMU “99Z” or you chose to claim a tag from your second or third choice you will retain your points and gain a point.

Draw history and points

Your points from the past moose tag draw

Your current points may reflect points you gained based on your draw history from 1993 through 2020. Go to points-based moose tag allocation process for more information.

Your points under the tag allocation process

Under the points-based allocation process, a hunter will accumulate a single point in any year they apply to one or both allocation stages, if they don’t claim a tag awarded based on points.

If you claim a tag awarded based on points from the primary allocation or the first choice of the second chance allocation, your points will reset to zero (early next year).

You will retain your points and will gain a point (early next year) if you claim a tag awarded to you on either your second or third tag choices in the second chance allocation.

You can accumulate a single point per year without being considered for a tag by selecting WMU “99Z” with your first choice in either the primary or second chance allocation.

Obtaining a moose tag from a tourist outfitter will not affect your points. You cannot hold more than one moose tag per year. Your points are available through your online account at Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service or by calling the automated phone line at 1-800-288-1155. Please note ServiceOntaio and licence issuers are not able to access your points for you.

Northern Ontario preference point

Northern Ontario resident hunters will receive a small preference by receiving one additional point (non-accumulating) in choices they enter for a northern WMU (WMUs 1–42). This small preference replaced the northern resident draw.

Tag transfers

Moose tag transfers are no longer permitted. In exceptional circumstances such as injury, illness or death of the tag holder or an immediate family member; or redeployment by the Canadian Armed Forces, a tag transfer may be considered with written request and documentation. If necessary, please contact the Natural Resource Information and Support Centre at NRISC@ontario.ca.

Important dates for moose hunters

Dates subject to change beyond 2024.

• April 1 to April 30: apply to the primary allocation stage
• May 16 to June 7: claim tags awarded in the primary allocation stage
• May 16: moose licences become available for purchase
• June 15 to July 8: apply to the second chance allocation stage
• August 1 to end of season: claim tags awarded in the second chance allocation stage
• August 20: tags available to print until end of season

Hunter reporting deadlines

• November 22: non-resident moose hunter report for tourist outfitter deadline
• December 22: resident moose tag holder report for tourist outfitter deadline
• December 29: moose hunter report deadline

Service options for moose hunters

Moose tag allocation process service options

For step-by-step instructions

1. Visit Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service
2. Go to Helpful links
3. Go to Tips to get started
4. Choose:
   • how to set up your online account
   • how to view your draw entry and results (includes draw history)
   • how to view your moose points
   • how to apply to the moose tag allocation process
   • how to claim your moose tag

Learn more about what to consider when you apply and at points-based moose tag allocation process.

For inquiries contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre by email NRISC@ontario.ca or phone 1-800-387-7011.

Moose hunting fees

Hunters pay an application fee to apply to the allocation process, instead of having to purchase a licence to apply. Hunters only need to purchase a moose licence before claiming a tag or party hunting with a tag holder. Go to the application fee, licence fee and tag fees.

Additional moose hunting regulations for non-residents

Non-resident moose hunters can only hunt moose:

• during an open non-resident moose season
• as a registered guest of a tourist outfitter hunting on a tag issued to them or a party member by the tourist outfitter
• by party hunting on a tag issued through the moose tag allocation process to an immediate relative who is an Ontario resident, and only on that tag

A non-resident may not party hunt on a tag issued through the moose tag allocation process to an Ontario resident that is not their immediate relative. Immediate relative means grandparent, parent, spouse, child, sibling or grandchild (including equivalent step-family relationships). An attestation statement verifying the immediate relative relationship must be completed by the non-resident online or in-person at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario location at the time the non-resident moose licence for an immediate relative is purchased.

Non-residents are required to have hunter accreditation that is recognized by Ontario – refer to the hunting licence information section for more details.

Non-residents must employ one licensed guide for each two hunters when hunting moose in the Territorial District of Rainy River. WMUs with moose hunting seasons in the Territorial District of Rainy River are: 9B, 11A and parts of 7B and 12B (see WMU 3 map).

Hunting with a tourist outfitter

Residents and non-residents can acquire a hunt that includes a tag from a tourist outfitter. A hunter can only acquire a tag through an outfitter if they haven’t already been issued a tag for that year. You must have a valid Outdoors Card before a tourist outfitter can request the moose tag on your behalf. Outfitters will provide further instruction to prospective clients on the steps that must be taken to purchase a moose licence and the tag from the ministry before arriving at the outfitter. The outfitter can only provide the tag once the client has paid for the tag. The moose tag fees apply to both residents and non-residents.

Any hunter who receives a tag from an outfitter or is hunting in a party with another hunter who receives a tag from an outfitter must have a moose licence and be a registered guest of the outfitter. Each registered guest must and carry documentation provided by the outfitter to verify this (in addition to their Outdoors Card, moose licence and tag if applicable).

How to properly identify a moose before you shoot

As a moose hunter, you are responsible for properly identifying your target and only harvesting a moose that you or a person you are party hunting with has a valid tag for. Evaluating multiple physical characteristics of the moose will better enable you to correctly identify the age or sex of the moose before harvesting it. If in doubt, do not shoot.

An adult moose (cow or bull) is a moose that is at least 1 year old at the time of the hunt. A calf moose is a moose that is less than 1 year old at the time of the hunt.

Identifying a bull:

• antlers
• often darker face
• often larger bell
• no vulva patch

Bull moose may lose their antlers before the end of the hunting season. A bull tag is still required to harvest a bull moose with or without antlers. Note the location where antlers detach and grow from (pedicle).

Identifying a cow:

• long bulbous nose
• curved hump
• muscular body
• vulva patch (cows only)
• height: 6 feet (1.8 metres)

These characteristics are in comparison to a calf.

Identifying a calf:

• shorter nose
• sharp hump
• more leg than body
• height: 4 feet (1.2 metres)

Calf moose are seldom alone.

Go to How to properly identify moose before hunting for more information on the difference between cow moose and calf moose.

Last year’s moose tag allocation process results

• 84,506 hunters applied
• 16,408 tags were available in the primary allocation
• 9,675 tags were available in the second chance allocation

14,912 tags were awarded overall, including:

• 99% of bull tags
• 89% of cow/calf tags
• 86% of calf tags

Of the applicants awarded tags:

• 11% were awarded by random draw (points not applicable (N/A))
• 44% had 0–4 points
• 26% had 5–9 points
• 10% had 10–14 points
• 6% had 15–19 points
• 3% had 20–24 points
• 1% had 25–30 points

The average minimum points required for a tag in 2023 decreased by 0.3 points in the primary allocation (7.1 to 6.8) and decreased by 0.2 points in the second chance allocation (6.3 to 6.5) compared to 2022.

Of the tags awarded in the primary allocation, those awarded to first-choice applicants (Choice 1) included:

• 99% of bull tags
• 87% of cow/calf tags
• 72% of calf tags

Of the tags awarded in the second chance allocation, those awarded to first-choice applicants (Choice 1) included:

• 94% of bull tags
• 75% of cow/calf tags
• 54% of calf tags

The overall percentage of awarded tags that were claimed:

• 82% of bull tags
• 74% of cow/calf tags
• 71% of calf tags

Tags awarded by points of applicants

Image

Tags awarded by points of applicants in 2023. Most tags were awarded to applicants with relatively few points.

Change in minimum points required

Image

Change in minimum points required (MPR) 2022 to 2023 (primary allocation). Being awarded most tag types required the same number of points (change in MPR = 0) or required fewer points (change < 0) in 2023 compared to 2022.

Refer to what to consider when you apply for more information on last year’s moose tag allocation process results.

What to consider when you apply

Notes for tables of last year’s tag allocation results

• WMUs not listed did not have a quota of that type last year.
• Second chance minimum points required is not applicable (N/A) where there were no second chance tags available.
• The minimum points required values include the Northern Ontario preference point.
• ^[2]  tag types that were available after all first-choice applicants had been awarded a tag.
• Values without a footnote had all available tags awarded to first-choice applicants.
• For WMU 18B “bow” tags are for the bows and muzzle-loading guns only season.
• Tags in far Northern Ontario (such as WMUs 1A, 1C, 1D, 2, 16A, 16C, 17, 18B and 25) may be in relatively low demand and awarded to hunters with few points, but moose in all or large parts of these WMUs cannot be accessed by road.
• Any road-accessible areas of such WMUs may have higher than expected hunter numbers and lower hunter success rates.
• Please consider these aspects when planning a moose hunt in such WMUs.

Last year's bull gun tag allocation results

Last year’s cow/calf gun tag allocation results

Last year’s bull bow tag allocation results

Last year’s cow/calf bow tag allocation results

Last year’s calf tag allocation results

Tag allocation process hunt codes

Notes:

• ^[1] for these WMUs, “bow tags” are for the bows and muzzle-loading guns only season
• “N/A” indicates the WMU does not have the applicable season
• not all hunt codes listed may have a quota. Check quotas online at moose tag quotas and hunt codes or by calling 1-800-288-1155

Elk season

Note: There is no open season for non-residents. Elk tags are valid for harvest areas, which are areas smaller than wildlife management units. Hunt codes for harvest areas are provided in this section.

Elk hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt elk in Ontario must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• elk licence listed on your licence summary
• elk tag (for appropriate season, harvest area and type of elk) or be party hunting with a person who has a valid elk tag in accordance with the modified party hunting rules for elk
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

For a chance to hunt elk, a resident hunter must apply to the draw for a tag and pay the draw application fee. No refund of application fees is granted to an applicant who is unsuccessful in the draw.

Elk hunting regulations

Tagging and transporting

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting. Additional information on shipping and exporting can be found in the general regulations section.

Mandatory hunter reporting

Go to the hunter reporting requirements section for details on timelines and how to submit your report.

Firearms

Big game, including elk, may only be hunted with a firearm (this includes bows). When hunting elk, you may only use or carry a firearm of the type permitted for hunting elk at that time in that WMU. Specifications on the firearms, ammunition, arrows and broadheads that are permitted when hunting elk can be found in the general regulations section.

Modified party hunting for elk

Party hunting rules are listed in the general regulations section. Additional party hunting rules apply for elk, which include:

• a person may only party hunt with the holder of an elk tag if they are part of the tag holder’s hunting group, with the validation number listed on their licence. Hunters wishing to party hunt for elk must apply to the elk draw as a group and list all members on the same application
• party hunting for elk is limited to a maximum of 4 hunters (including the tag holder, but not including apprentice hunters)
• multiple parties may not hunt cooperatively

Dogs

Dogs may not be used to hunt elk. Dogs may be used to track an elk that has been wounded during a lawful hunt. Go to the general regulations section for more details.

Elk hunting on private property

If you wish to hunt elk on private land, you must carry your valid elk licence and the written consent of the landowner on the form provided by the ministry. Forms are available for download online at Apply to hunt elk.

Harvest areas, hunt codes and tag quotas for elk draw

For the purposes of harvest management, elk tags are valid for areas smaller than a WMU, referred to as Harvest Areas. For a chance to hunt elk, you must apply to the elk draw for a tag and pay the draw application fee. Applicants cannot select a bull or cow tag type; these will be randomly assigned. For further instructions on how to apply to the elk draw, go to the how to apply to hunt big game section.

Note: Hunters who are successful in the elk draw and are issued an elk tag are not eligible to receive another elk tag in their name for 5 years, but may continue to be listed as a member of a group and party hunt for elk during this time.

Last year's elk draw summary

General draw statistics

• 12 total tags available
• 2,111 total applicants entered in the draw

First choice applications by area

• Area 2, WMU 57: 678
• Area 5, WMU 61: 798
• Area 6, WMU 61: 635

Elk tag transfers

A transfer of an elk tag can only occur within a group of hunters that applied to the draw as a group. Groups are permitted one automatic transfer each year. You can complete automatic tag transfers yourself by accessing your account in the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service from August 1 to 19 or by visiting a participating ServiceOntario. Beginning August 20, tag transfers can only be completed at a participating ServiceOntario with an application, and the return of the original elk tag if it has been printed from the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. After the season opens, the transfer of an elk tag will only be considered under specific circumstances, approved by the ministry.

Black bear seasons

Notes:

• ^[1] Only bows and muzzle-loading guns are permitted in WMU 7A.
• ^[2] Indicates bear hunting is only permitted in the geographic townships of Keppel and Sarawak in WMU 82A, the geographic township of Amabel in WMU 84.
• The shooting of cubs or female bears accompanied by a cub is not permitted during the spring season.

Black bear hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt black bear must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• black bear licence listed on your licence summary
• black bear tag or be party hunting with a person who has a valid bear tag
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

In addition, non-residents are also required to have a black bear hunting validation certificate.

Note: A licensed trapper is permitted to hunt black bear under the authority of the trapping licence.

Black bear hunting regulations

Tagging and transporting

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting. Black bear licences and tags are valid for both the spring and fall season.

Mandatory hunter reporting

Go to the hunter reporting requirements section for details on timelines and how to submit your report. Resident hunters should note that the reporting requirements have changed.

Firearms

Big game, including black bears, may only be hunted with a firearm (includes bows). If you are hunting deer or moose at the same time that you are hunting black bears, you must only use or carry (on your person, in a vehicle or boat) a firearm of the type permitted for deer or moose, as the case may be, at that time in that WMU. Specifications on the firearms, ammunition, arrows and broadheads that are permitted when hunting black bear can be found in the general regulations section.

Party hunting for black bears

Party hunting is permitted during the bear season under a set of specific conditions. The list of conditions are listed in the general regulations.

Bait placement

During the spring and fall black bear seasons, bait may not be placed for the purpose of bear hunting within:

• 500 metres of a dwelling, unless written permission is obtained from the owner of the dwelling
• 500 metres of a public building
• 30 metres of a right of way for public vehicular traffic or a sign posted/marked recreational trail that is established and maintained by an organization for the general public

Other regulations

It is illegal to:

• possess a bear gallbladder that has been separated from the carcass
• let spoil or to abandon the flesh of any harvested game wildlife, including black bear, that is suitable for food
• hunt black bears within 400 metres of a waste disposal site, regardless of whether the land is Crown or private
• shoot or interfere with black bears in their dens, or damage or destroy their dens

Note: anyone wanting to provide black bear hunting services (for example, guiding or baiting) to resident hunters in a Bear Management Area (BMA) must possess a licence to provide black bear hunting services that allows them to provide services within the BMA.

Export and shipping

Go to the general regulations section for information on import, export and shipping.

In some instances, both a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and a provincial export permit are required. A resident or non-resident black bear hunter wishing to export a black bear out of Canada must contact Environment and Climate Change Canada to arrange to obtain a Canadian CITES export permit. It is recommended to apply well in advance of the trip and apply for permits for all CITES listed species that you may harvest. Please allow up to 21 days to obtain a permit.

A Canadian CITES export permit is required for taxidermy mounts, black bear organs and other parts (for example, baculum). Note: It is illegal to be in possession of a black bear gallbladder.

A CITES export permit is not required for the United States or Canadian resident black bear hunters transporting their black bear hunting trophy consisting of the hide, hide with paws and claws attached, skull and/or meat in a fresh, frozen or salted condition back to the United States or through the United States en route to another part of Canada at the conclusion of their hunt. The hunter must accompany the black bear in these cases.

In some countries and provinces, importation of black bears is regulated; requirements for importation should be determined by the exporter prior to shipment.

Second black bear tags

WMU-specific black bear second tags may be available to resident bear hunters in WMUs where population levels permit. The second tag allows you to harvest a second black bear in the WMU specified on the tag. A second tag purchased in the spring can be used in either the spring or fall season. A black bear licence is required before a second tag can be purchased. A second tag can be used before the tag received with the licence is filled. These tags are available through the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. Second tags are available April 15, visit hunting notices and updates or a participating ServiceOntario at that time for information on WMUs where second tags are available.

Non-resident hunting regulations

All non-residents are required to hunt through an operator licensed to provide black bear hunting services (for example, guiding and baiting services).

To hunt a black bear in Ontario non-residents must have:

• an Outdoors Card
• a non-resident black bear licence
• a bear tag and a black bear hunting validation certificate

The non-resident black bear licence is valid in both the spring and fall seasons. 

A black bear hunting validation certificate must be obtained from the licensed bear operator who has been contracted to provide black bear hunting services to the non-resident client.

A non-resident hunter must hunt only in the areas designated on the black bear hunting validation certificate issued by the operator. These areas can include Crown or private land located within a BMA and private land located within a WMU listed on the operator’s licence. The operator’s licence does not permit the operator to provide bear hunting services on private land located within a BMA licensed to another operator. The operator must have the landowner’s permission in order to provide black bear hunting services to clients on private land.

Black bear population surveys

Barbed Wire Hair Trap (BWHT) Survey stations may be established in several WMUs and monitored weekly from mid-May to the end of June. If you encounter a survey station, for your safety and the integrity of the data please do not disturb the station.

Voluntary black bear tooth submission

All successful black bear hunters are encouraged to submit two premolar teeth from each black bear harvested to assist in determining the age structure of local bear populations. Along with the submitted teeth, please provide the following information:

1. sex of harvested bear
2. WMU within which the bear was harvested

If you would like to receive an Ontario bear hunter crest and the age of the bear harvested as a thank you, please include your Outdoors Card number, in addition to the items listed above.

Resident black bear hunters can submit teeth and the information listed above in the mail to:

Big Game Harvest Assessment Program
Natural Resources Information Section
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
1350 High Falls Road
Bracebridge, ON
P1L 0L1

Non-residents can submit teeth to their operator who will submit the teeth to the Ministry on your behalf.

Information derived from hunters’ reports and hunter-submitted teeth contributes to assessments of the sustainability of black bear harvests and helps our scientists to address various questions about black bear ecology and management. Specifically, we use the hunter-reported sex and age estimated from the teeth to calculate the percentages of females, and of adult females, in the harvest. This information is used to help us better manage Ontario’s black bear population.

Personal information is collected under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, and will be used to fulfill your request for an Ontario Bear Hunter Crest. The crest will be mailed to the existing address on file (collected when the bear licence was purchased). Questions about the collection and use of this personal information should be directed to:

Licensing and Client Services Section
Fish and Wildlife Services Branch
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario
K9J 8M5
1-800-387-7011.

How to extract teeth

The first premolar is a small, single-rooted peg-like tooth located just behind the canines. Premolar teeth are most easily extracted shortly after the animal has been killed while the jaw is still pliable. Care should be taken when extracting the tooth to ensure that the root is not broken. To remove the tooth, push the blade of a knife down along all sides of the tooth between it and the gum. Gently loosen the tooth by rocking it back and forth using the canine for leverage, then carefully remove the tooth using pliers. Avoid cleaning teeth by scraping or boiling as it limits the ability to obtain the necessary data.

Aging premolars

To age a tooth, a thin section is taken from the root of each tooth. The section is then stained to make it easy to see the rings of the tooth. Just like rings in a tree, the rings visible on the root of the tooth can be counted to indicate the age of the bear.

Spring wild turkey season – shotgun or bow

Note: A hunter may purchase a maximum of two spring wild turkey tags (only valid for bearded turkey). Two bearded wild turkeys may not be taken on the same day. Turkey hunting during the spring season is restricted to ½ hour before sunrise to 7:00 p.m.

Fall wild turkey season – shotgun or bow

Fall wild turkey season – bow

Note: A hunter may only purchase one fall wild turkey tag (valid for either a male or female) and may only harvest one turkey during the fall seasons.

Turkey hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt wild turkeys must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• small game licence listed on your licence summary or on the back of your Outdoors Card
• wild turkey tag (for the appropriate spring/fall season)
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

Wild turkey hunting regulations

Tagging and transporting

Up to two spring tags may be purchased per hunter. Two birds may not be taken on the same day. Only one fall tag is permitted per hunter.

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting. Information on shipping and exporting can be found in the general regulations section.

Mandatory hunter reporting

Go to hunter reporting requirements section for details on timelines and how to submit your report.

Firearms

Wild turkey may be hunted using shotguns (including muzzle-loading shotguns) or bows. Specifications on the firearms, ammunition, arrows and broadheads that are permitted when hunting wild turkey are found in the general regulations section.

Other regulations

Party hunting is not permitted for wild turkey. You are permitted to call wild turkeys for another hunter after filling your own tag(s), but you must not be in possession of a firearm when doing so. It is illegal to use live decoys or electronic calls while wild turkey hunting in Ontario.

It is illegal to hunt wild turkey within 400 metres (437 yards) of any place where bait has been deposited unless the place has been free of bait for at least seven days. Bait means corn, wheat, oats, other grain, pulse, any other feed that may attract wild turkey or any imitation of such feed. Standing crops, crops stacked in accordance with normal farming practices and grain scattered as a result of normal farming operations are not considered bait.

Wolf and coyote seasons

Note:

• ^[1] Indicates there are geographic townships where the wolf/coyote season is closed, which include: Airy, Alice, Allen, Anson, Anstruther, Attlee, Ballantyne, Bevin, Boulter, Boyd, Bruton, Burleigh, Burns, Burwash, Butt, Caen, Calvin, Cameron, Cardiff, Carlyle, Cavendish, Chandos, Chisholm, Clancy, Clara, Clyde, Cox, Curtin, Dalton, Dickens, Dieppe, Digby, Dudley, Eden, Eyre, Finlayson, Foster, Franklin, Fraser, Goschen, Hagarty, Halifax, Hansen, Harburn, Harcourt, Harvey, Havelock, Head, Herschel, Humboldt, Killarney, Kilpatrick, Lauder, Laura, Livingstone, Longford, Lutterworth, Maria, McClintock, McClure, McCraney, McKay, Minden, Monmouth, Murchison, Papineau, Paxton, Petawawa, Richards, Rolph, Roosevelt, Ryde, Sabine, Sale, Secord, Servos, Sinclair, Struthers, Tilton, Truman, Waldie, and Wylie.

Wolf and coyote hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt wolf or coyote must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• small game licence listed on your licence summary or on the back of your Outdoors Card
• wolf/coyote tag (in WMUs where a tag is required) valid for the current calendar year
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

Wolf and coyote hunting regulations

Residents and non-residents may purchase a maximum of two wolf/coyote tags per calendar year. The tags may be purchased separately or at the same time.

It is illegal to hunt or trap wolf or coyote in the areas within and surrounding Algonquin Provincial Park, Killarney Provincial Park, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park and Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park to help protect Algonquin wolf (formerly Eastern wolf). Go to the wolf and coyote season table for more details on these specific closures.

Generally, wolves and coyotes cannot be hunted in Provincial Parks or Crown Game Preserves.

Wolves and coyotes are considered furbearing mammals. It is illegal to abandon or otherwise allow the pelt of a furbearing mammal to spoil or to be destroyed.

Tagging and transporting

Go to the tags section for details on tagging and transporting.

The tag must remain attached to a wolf or coyote until the pelt has been skinned off the carcass and is being frozen or has been sent for tanning.

Mandatory hunter reporting

Go to the hunter reporting requirements section for details on timelines and how to submit your report.

Firearms

There are no special firearm restrictions, other than a maximum calibre restriction, when hunting only for wolf or coyote. You cannot carry or use a rifle of greater calibre than a .275-calibre rifle, except a muzzle-loading gun, in the geographic areas of Brant, Chatham-Kent, Durham, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Northumberland, Oxford, Peel, Perth, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington or York. A person hunting for wolf or coyote while hunting for another species must also ensure they are not in possession of a firearm prohibited for hunting the other species. For example, go to the small game and furbearing mammals section. For additional details on firearms, go to the general regulations section.

Party hunting

Party hunting for wolves and coyotes is not permitted in areas where a tag is required. Go to the general regulations section for a definition of party hunting. However, you may hunt co-operatively, meaning all hunters participating must have a valid tag and the hunter who harvests the animal must personally invalidate their tag in accordance with the tagging instructions.

Once you have used your tag, you may not continue to participate in the hunt, unless you possess a second tag. Once you have used both of your tags, you cannot hunt wolf/coyote until the following calendar year. It is illegal to use a wolf/coyote tag to tag a wolf or coyote taken by another hunter.

In areas where a tag is not required and there are no harvest limits, you may hunt co-operatively in a group without restrictions on the number of animals harvested or who can take them.

Royalty, export, shipping and import

Go to the general regulations section for more information on import, export and shipping. A royalty is payable to the province at the time that a person obtains an Export licence for furbearing mammals or their pelts.

For information on possession of pelts during the closed season, go to the small game and furbearing mammals section.

A Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) export permit is also required to export all wolves from Canada. Contact Environment and Climate Change Canada to arrange to obtain a Canadian CITES export permit. It is recommended to apply well in advance of the trip and apply for permits for all CITES listed species that you may harvest. Please allow up to 21 days to obtain a permit.

In some countries and provinces, importation of wolves is regulated; requirements for importation should be determined by the exporter prior to shipment.

Ruffed grouse and spruce grouse seasons

Ruffed grouse seasons (no season for spruce grouse in these units)

Sharp-tailed grouse seasons

Ptarmigan seasons

Ring-necked pheasant seasons

Gray (Hungarian) partridge seasons

Double-crested cormorant season

Cottontail and European hare seasons

Snowshoe (varying) hare seasons

Gray (black) and fox squirrel seasons

Arctic fox seasons

Raccoon and opossum seasons

Red fox and skunk seasons

Weasel seasons

Note: Arctic fox, raccoon, opossum, red fox, skunk, and weasel are considered furbearing mammals, which can be harvested under the authority of a small game licence. Generally, furbearing mammals may not be hunted in Provincial Parks and Crown Game Preserves.

Falconry seasons and limits

Falconry involves the use of trained raptors (birds of prey, such as red-tailed hawk) to hunt small game. All falconers must have a valid small game licence. A falconry licence is required to possess falconry birds. There are other requirements both for falconry birds and for non-indigenous falconry birds (such as leg bands, reporting). For a complete list of all native falconry birds and non-indigenous falconry birds that can be used for falconry in Ontario, go to Falconry.

Falconry season are from September 1 to March 31 for residents and non-residents.

Bullfrog seasons

Small game and furbearing mammal hunting requirements

Anyone wishing to hunt small game or furbearing mammals must have the following:

• Outdoors Card
• small game licence listed on your licence summary or on the back of your Outdoors Card
• proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun

A tag is required for wild turkey, and for wolf/coyote in select Wildlife Management Units (WMU). Go to the wild turkey and wolf/coyote sections for more information.

A municipal licence may also be required for hunting ring-necked pheasant, cottontail (rabbit) and hare in some municipalities in southwestern Ontario. Municipal licences can be obtained from the relevant municipal office. Go to the WMU maps (Southwestern Ontario, Southeastern Ontario and Northern Ontario) for more information on where a municipal licence is required.

A falconry licence is also required to hunt with raptors native to Ontario.

Additional licensing requirements apply to migratory game birds. Go to migratory game birds and the hunting licence information section for more information.

Small game and furbearing mammal hunting regulations

A small game licence is not valid in Northern and some parts of Central Ontario from June 16 to August 31. Go to WMU maps (Southwestern Ontario, Southeastern Ontario and Northern Ontario) for more information.

Firearms

If you are hunting small game in an area where there is an open season for deer, moose, elk, or black bear, you may not possess or use a centre-fire rifle or shells loaded with ball or with shot larger than No. 2 shot (except for steel shot not larger than triple BBB, or bismuth shot not larger than double BB), unless you have a valid licence to hunt big game (deer, moose, elk or black bear) during the relevant open season.

This restriction does not apply south of the French and Mattawa rivers during an open season for deer that is restricted to the use of bows, or to hunters with a valid small game licence who are hunting wolf or coyote during an open season for deer, moose, elk or black bear.

A person hunting small game may not carry or use a rifle of greater calibre than a .275-calibre rifle, except a muzzle-loading gun, in the geographic areas of Brant, Chatham-Kent, Durham, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Huron, Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Northumberland, Oxford, Peel, Perth, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington or York. Note: It is illegal to hunt ring-necked pheasants with a rifle.

Game bird hunting preserves

You may hunt ring-necked pheasant, northern bobwhite, wild turkey, gray (Hungarian) partridge and chukar throughout the year on a licensed game bird hunting preserve. Note: There are prohibitions on northern bobwhite and wild turkey in some areas. You must arrange with the owner/operator of the licensed game bird hunting preserve as to when you can hunt.

You are required to have a valid Outdoors Card, hunter accreditation (for example, licence summary noting your accreditation), and proof of firearm accreditation if you are hunting with a gun. You will be required to present this documentation to the owner/ operator of a licensed game bird hunting preserve before hunting.

Migratory game birds

Migratory game bird seasons are the responsibility of the federal government. The Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and associated Migratory Birds Regulations, 2022 govern the hunting of migratory game birds. In 2022, the Regulations were modernized with important changes, such as possession limits, labelling requirements and the use of crossbows. Also, please note that Waterfowler Heritage Days have been abolished and replaced with a Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit (MGBHP) for youth. For more information on the changes to hunting migratory game birds, please consult the migratory game bird hunting web page at Migratory game bird hunting.

You must have a federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit (MGBHP), Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, and an Ontario small game licence in order to hunt migratory game birds. This includes hunting with falconry birds (falconry licence required) or non-indigenous falconry birds. MGBHP and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp are available for purchase at most post offices, or online. Season dates and bag limits are announced mid-summer in the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summary.

It is illegal to hunt migratory birds within 400 m (437 yd.) of where bait has been deposited unless that place has been free of bait for at least seven days. It is also illegal to deposit bait in any place during the period beginning 14 days before the first day of the open season for that place and ending on the day immediately following the last day of the open season for that place for any hunted migratory game bird.

More information on migratory birds is available at the:

Canadian Wildlife Service
4905 Dufferin Street
Toronto, Ontario
M3H 5T4
Telephone: 1-800-668-6767
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Double-crested cormorants

Double-crested cormorants may be hunted during their fall hunting season in accordance with general small game licensing requirements, similar to other game bird species, subject to additional rules and requirements.

Cormorants can only be hunted using shotguns, including muzzle-loading shotguns, not larger than 10 gauge with non-toxic ammunition. You cannot use a shotgun loaded with a shell containing a single projectile.

Hunters are permitted to hunt double-crested cormorant from a stationary motorboat. This means the motorboat must not be in motion and the power to the motor must be turned off.

Hunters must have adequate means of retrieving any double-crested cormorant that is shot and must immediately retrieve the bird and include it in their bag limit. Should hunters choose not to use the birds they harvest, they must be retrieved and disposed of by either:

• delivering it to an approved waste disposal site that permits the disposal of dead animals
• delivering it to a disposal facility, or using the services of a licensed collector, under the under the Disposal of Deadstock Regulation (Ontario Regulation 105/09) made under the Food Safety and Quality Act, 2001
• burying it on private land owned by the hunter, or on private land occupied by the hunter with consent of the landowner

All other relevant federal, provincial and municipal laws/rules related to hunting apply (for example trespassing, municipal discharge of firearms by-laws, federal firearm licensing requirements, restrictions on hunting in provincial parks).

Possession of furbearing mammal pelts during the closed season

Small game hunters who harvest furbearing mammals during the open season (including wolf and coyote) and have not sold or otherwise disposed of the pelts by the close of the season must obtain a Licence to Possess a Pelt in order to possess pelts during the closed season.

Contact your local ministry work centre to obtain a Licence to Possess a Pelt (available free of charge). It is illegal to abandon or otherwise allow the pelt of a furbearing mammal to spoil or be destroyed.

For more information on royalties and shipping of furbearing mammals parts, go to the general regulations section.

Hunting raccoon at night

If you wish to hunt raccoons at night, you must be accompanied by a dog licensed for the purposes of hunting. Each dog participating in the hunt must be licensed. You can only use a rim-fire rifle. Raccoon night hunters must have their guns unloaded and encased while in a vehicle. A licensed night raccoon hunter may use a light if it is not shone from or attached to a vehicle or boat. Learn more at hunt raccoon at night.

Bullfrog requirements

Bullfrogs may be taken for personal consumption under the authority of a valid sport or conservation fishing licence. No commercial harvest of bullfrogs is permitted. The only firearms permitted for harvesting bullfrogs are bows (for example, compound, recurve, long or crossbow). A person may take bullfrogs at night without a firearm and may shine a light for that purpose.

Note: Generally, it is illegal to harvest frogs in Provincial Parks or Crown Game Preserves.