Hunting licence (Ontario residents)

Overview

To hunt in Ontario as a resident, you must:

• be at least 16 years old (or 15 with written parental consent)
• have successfully taken the Ontario Hunter Education Program (or an Ontario-recognized equivalent accrediation)
• follow all federal firearm regulations and carry appropriate documentation with you if you are hunting with a gun
• have a valid hunting version Outdoors Card
• have the required hunting licences(s) and tag(s) for the game you wish to hunt

Ontario residents who are 12 to 14 years old are eligible to participate in Ontario’s Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program to safely develop their hunting skills while under the direct and immediate supervision of a qualified and licenced mentor.

For more information, please refer to the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary.

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.

New 2019 rules

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.

View the Ontario Hunting Regulation Summary.

Hunting licences

A hunting 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.

Small game hunting:

You are required to carry:

• an 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 (for example, your Possession and Acquisition Licence, minor’s 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 game tag is required in addition to your small game licence)
• wolf/coyote (a game tag is required in addition to your small game licence in certain Wildlife Management Units)
• migratory game birds (a federal migratory game bird hunting permit is required in addition to your small game licence)

Big game hunting:

You are required to carry:

• a valid hunting version Outdoors Card
• a Licence Summary listing the licence of the species you are hunting
  • your Licence Summary can be carried in a paper or digital format (for example, smartphone)
• federal firearms accreditation (for example, your Possession and Acquisition Licence) if you are hunting with a gun
• any associated tags (all big game species have tag requirements)

Big game species:

• black bear
• moose
• white-tailed deer
• elk

Tags

A tag is a component of a hunting licence. The tag authorizes the hunter to hunt the game species indicated on the tag (for example, wild turkey), subject to conditions listed on the tag (such as season, animal type or firearm. A tag can be purchased online, at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario location. Tags can be printed from home, at a licence issuer or a participating ServiceOntario location, either right after purchase or once draw results are available. Any tag replacements will be tracked through the licensing service and must be obtained at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario location.

A tag is required to hunt:

• moose
• deer
• wolf/coyote (only in certain Wildlife Management Units)
• wild turkey
• black bear
• elk

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 Regulation Summary. Specific tagging instructions will be provided with your tag.

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.

Animal	Outdoors Card	Licence (each year)	Tags	Apply to a draw
Antlered deer	Yes	Deer	Yes	No
Antlerless deer	Yes	Deer	Yes	Yes
Deer in a controlled area	Yes	Deer	Yes	Yes
Adult moose Calf in WMU 48, 55A, 55B, 57	Yes	Moose	Yes	Yes
Calf moose (except in WMU 48, 55A, 55B, 57)	Yes	Moose	Yes	No
Black bear	Yes	Bear	Yes	No

Hunting licence and tags fee for residents of Ontario

For new hunters, your hunter accreditation must be on file with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service before you can purchase hunting products. This can only be done at a participating ServiceOntario location.

Learn more about how to submit your hunter accreditation.

Once hunter accreditation is on file within the service, residents can buy products online, by phone, at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario location.

All products with a fee are subject to HST.

Products	2020 fee
Buy or renew an Outdoors Card (valid for 3 calendar years)	$8.57
1-year small game licence	$22.76
3-year small game licence	$68.28
Moose Licence and Tag	$50.29
Elk draw application	$15.00
Elk Licence and Tag	$48.25
Deer Licence and Tag	$43.86
Farmer’s Deer Licence and Tag	$25.14
Moose or deer draw applications	No fee
Additional tag for deer (only for select Wildlife Management Units)	$43.86
Black Bear Licence and Tag	$43.86
Second tag for black bear (only for select Wildlife Management Units)	$43.86
Wolves/Coyotes Tag (only for select Wildlife Management Units)	$10.05
Wild Turkey Tag – Spring	$26.33
Wild Turkey Tag – Fall	$26.33
Dog licence	$12.21

Apply to hunt big game

You need to apply to a draw to hunt:

• adult moose (or calf moose in WMU 48, 55A, 55B, 57)
• antlerless deer
• deer in a controlled area
• elk

You can apply to hunt big game.

Indigenous communities

Generally, if you belong to an Indigenous community with established Aboriginal or treaty hunting rights in Ontario, you can hunt without a licence when you’re:

• hunting within your traditional or treaty area
• hunting for food, social or ceremonial purposes

If you are exercising hunting rights, you should be prepared to provide community identification.

If you hunt outside your traditional or treaty area, you will need to have an Outdoors Card with appropriate hunting licences and tags, or permission from a First Nation to hunt in their traditional territory.

Get a hunting licence