Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program

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 (or an existing valid Hunter Apprenticeship Safety 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. 15-year-olds can no longer use an existing Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Card to hunt.

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. Apprentice hunters who do not purchase their own licences or tags must share the bag limits of their mentor.

Apprentices can buy an Outdoors Card by visiting a participating ServiceOntario in-person. They will need to submit an original or certified copy of an Ontario Hunter Education Exam Report and attest to the parental/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 (or an existing valid Hunter Apprenticeship Safety 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 his/her 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.