Hunting licence (non-residents of Ontario)
As a non-resident of Ontario, before you can hunt in Ontario, you’ll need:
- an Outdoors Card
- hunter accreditation on file with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service
- all required hunting licences and tags for the game you wish to hunt
A non-Ontario resident is a person whose primary residence is not in Ontario or has not lived in the province for at least 6 consecutive months of the immediately preceding 12 months.
Overview
To hunt in Ontario as a non-resident, you must:
- be at least 16 years old
- have Ontario-recognized hunting credentials from your home jurisdiction (or have recognized hunter credentials) filed with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service.
- follow all federal firearm regulations around declaring and transporting non-restricted firearms and carry appropriate documentation with you if you are hunting with a gun
- have a valid Outdoors Card
- have the required hunting licences and tags for the game you wish to hunt
Rules for hunting
You must follow all rules related to hunting in Ontario — including where and when you hunt, the type of firearm that can be used and the clothing you are required to wear when big game hunting.
2019 changes
As of January 1, 2019, there are a number of new hunting rules and requirements. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be aware of these new rules and to follow them.
Non-residents who wish to hunt black bear or moose are generally required to hunt with a licensed bear operator or a moose tourist outfitter. Some exceptions apply to non-resident landowners or if you are hunting with an immediate relative who is an Ontario resident.
Hunting licences
A licence is required to hunt in Ontario. All licences are specific to the game you wish to hunt and will be listed on your Licence Summary. Licences expire on December 31 each year, unless otherwise stated. Requirements depend on the hunting activity you are undertaking.
It is your responsibility to know the type of season and open season dates for the species you wish to hunt along with any other hunting rules that may apply.
Small game hunting
You are required to carry:
- a valid Outdoors Card
- a Licence Summary listing your valid small game hunting licence (unless your small game licence is printed on the back of your Outdoors Card)
- your Licence Summary can be carried in a paper or digital format (for example, smartphone)
- federal firearms accreditation documentation (for example, your non-resident firearms declaration form, Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence, Possession and Acquisition Licence) if you are hunting with a gun
- any associated tags, if applicable (for example, Wild Turkey or Wolf/Coyote Tags)
Small game species:
- rabbits and hares
- grouse (ruffed, sharp-tailed, spruce)
- squirrel (gray and fox)
- Hungarian partridge
- pheasant
- ptarmigan
- raccoon
- fox (red and Arctic)
- skunk
- weasel
- opossum
- American crow
- groundhog
- porcupine
- wild turkey (a tag is required in addition to your small game licence)
- wolf/coyote (a tag is required in addition to your small game licence in certain WMUs)
- Selected migratory game birds (a federal migratory game bird hunting permit is required in addition to your Ontario small game licence)
Big game hunting
You are required to carry:
- a valid Outdoors Card
- a Licence Summary listing the licence for the species you are hunting
- your Licence Summary can be carried in a paper or digital format (for example, smartphone)
- federal firearms accreditation documentation (for example, your non-resident firearms declaration form, Temporary Firearms Borrowing Licence, Possession and Acquisition Licence) if you are hunting with a gun
- any associated tags (note: all big game species have tag requirements)
- non-residents hunting black bear must obtain, complete and carry a black bear validation certificate. You can obtain a certificate from a MNRF district office or through a tourist operator.
Big game species:
- black bear
- moose
- white-tailed deer
Tags
A tag is a component of a hunting licence. The tag authorizes the hunter to hunt the game species (for example, wild turkey) indicated on the tag, subject to conditions listed on the tag (such as season, animal type or firearm).
As a non-resident, tags are required to hunt:
- moose
- deer
- wolf/coyote (only in certain Wildlife Management Units)
- wild turkey
- black bear
It is the hunter’s responsibility to know the tagging requirements for the species being hunted. Tags must be protected, intact and legible at all times.
As of January 1, 2019, tagging requirements have changed. General tagging instructions are available in the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary. Specific tagging instructions will be provided with your tag.
If you hunt through a licensed bear operator or a moose tourist outfitter, you will also be issued a validation certificate. The certificate validates your bear or moose tag to hunt with the specific operator/outfitter for a specific period of time, and for a specific type, age and sex of animal. Your validation certificate must be carried with you while you hunt.
As of January 1, 2019, hunters who are issued a tag for moose, deer, elk, black bear, wild turkey or wolf/coyote, will be required to complete a mandatory hunter report even if they did not hunt or harvest an animal. Hunters will be required to submit reports online or by phone within 14 days of the close of the season for the province.
Hunting licence and tag fees for non-residents of Ontario
Plan ahead: Your hunter accreditation must be filed with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service before you can purchase any non-resident hunting products.
Non-residents may now submit an original or certified copy of acceptable hunting accreditation through one of the following methods:
- emailing the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre
Accreditation will be processed within 15 business days of receipt, and allows non-residents to buy hunting products online before going hunting. - in-person at a participating ServiceOntario or licence issuer location, to be able to buy hunting products and go hunting immediately and hunting accreditation will be forwarded to the ministry for processing.
If hunting accreditation is not in English or French, it must be translated to one of these languages by an approved translator and a fee may apply.
Once hunter accreditation is on file with the service, non-residents can purchase products online, by phone, at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario location.
All products with a fee are subject to HST.
| Products | 2020 fee |
|---|---|
| 1-year small game licence | $116.52 |
| 3-year small game licence | $349.56 |
| Moose Licence and Tag (to hunt with an immediate relative, through an outfitter, or as a landowner) | $459.86 |
| Deer Licence and Tag | $230.81 |
| Black Bear Licence and Tag (to hunt with an immediate relative or through an outfitter) | $230.81 |
| Wolves/Coyotes Tag (only for select Wildlife Management Units) | $250.57 |
| Wild Turkey Tag – Spring | $29.33 |
| Wild Turkey Tag – Fall | $29.33 |
| Dog licence | $14.71 |
| Export permit (moose, deer and black bear) | $35.00 |