Sustainable wildlife management

The ministry manages Ontario’s natural resources and wildlife on behalf of all Ontarians.

We manage wildlife species to sustain their populations and habitat while considering the needs of the human population over time. Wildlife management includes:

  • policy and regulation
  • research and monitoring
  • habitat planning, management and conservation
  • allocation and harvest planning

Wildlife laws and regulations

We administer the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and supporting regulations that provide the framework for the wildlife conservation and management in Ontario. The act and regulations provide rules about:

  • hunting and trapping of game wildlife, including licensing, seasons, limits and harvest reporting
  • use of firearms, trapping methods and other gear types
  • keeping wildlife in captivity
  • transportation, possession, purchase and sale of wildlife

Migratory birds, including migratory game birds (such as ducks and geese), are protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.

Species whose populations are at risk due to small size or significant declines may receive further protection under either:

Policies

Cervids (deer, moose, elk)

  • Images of Ontario’s 4 wild cervid species: moose, white-tailed deer, American elk and woodland caribou.

    Cervid Ecological Framework

    Learn about how we manage and protect the province’s four wild Cervid species: Moose, White-tailed Deer, Woodland Caribou and American Elk.

White-tailed Deer

Moose

Elk

  • Small group of elk in a clearing of a forested area.

    Elk Management Plan

    Understand the tools and strategies for managing Ontario’s elk population.

Black bear

Small game and furbearers

Wolf

Wild turkey

Related links