Tags
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
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.
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
| Species | Tagging location and identifying features |
|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Attach the tag to either the antler or the ear, keeping the head with the animal |
| Elk | Attach the tag to either the antler or the ear, keeping the head with the animal |
| Moose – bull | Attach the tag to one of its hind legs with scrotal sac attached to that leg by connective tissue |
| Moose – cow | Attach the tag to one of its hind legs with vulva attached to that leg by connective tissue |
| Moose – calf | Attach the tag to the lower jaw, which shall be left whole and kept with the animal |
| Black bear | Attach the tag through the cartilage separating the nostrils |
| Wild turkey | Attach the tag to the lower part of a leg |
| Wolf/coyote | Attach the tag through the cartilage separating the nostrils |
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).