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
You are a non-resident of Ontario if either of the following applies:
- your primary residence is not in Ontario
- you have not lived in Ontario for at least six consecutive months of the immediately preceding 12 months
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 hunting.
2021 changes
As of January 1, 2021, there are a number of new hunting rules and requirements for moose and black bear. It is the hunter’s responsibility to be aware of these new rules and to follow them.
Beginning in 2021, non-resident landowners and immediate relatives of Ontario residents can now only acquire their own tag to hunt moose or a validation certificate to hunt black bear by purchasing a hunt from a tourist outfitter or licensed black bear operator.
All non-residents wishing to hunt black bear must contract the services of an operator licensed to provide bear hunting services.
A non-resident who is an immediate relative of an Ontario resident who holds a valid moose tag may purchase a non-resident moose hunting licence to party hunt with their relative during an open non-resident season. Non-residents can purchase a moose hunt from a tourist outfitter.
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.
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 (such as 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 (such as wild turkey or wolf/coyote tags)
Small game species:
- cottontail (rabbit) and hares
- grouse (ruffed, sharp-tailed, spruce)
- squirrel (gray and fox)
- gray (Hungarian) partridge
- ring-necked 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 Wildlife Management Units)
- 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 and carry a validation certificate. You can obtain a validation certificate from a licensed black bear 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 (such as wild turkey) indicated on the tag, 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 at home, or at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario. Review a list of printing dates in the Important Dates for Hunters section of the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary. Any replacements will be tracked through the licensing service and must be obtained at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario.
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.
General tagging instructions are available in the Tags section of the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary. Specific tagging instructions will be provided with your tag.
Mandatory hunter reports
Non-residents must complete a mandatory hunter report if they either:
- purchase or are issued a tag to hunt deer, elk, black bear, wild turkey, or wolf/coyote (in Wildlife Management Units where a tag is required)
- are issued a licence to hunt moose
Even if you did not hunt or harvest an animal, you are required to complete a hunter report.
Non-resident black bear hunter reports are attached to the validation certificates and must be completed and returned to the operator.
Non-resident moose hunters hunting with a tourist outfitter must complete a non-resident moose hunter report for tourist outfitter and return it to the outfitter.
Non-resident moose hunters hunting with an immediate relative must complete a mandatory moose hunter report.
Hunt black bear with a licensed bear operator
If you purchase black bear hunting services from a licensed black bear operator, you will be issued a validation certificate. The certificate validates your bear tag to hunt with the specific operator for a specific period of time and in a specific area. Your validation certificate must be carried with you while you hunt.
Learn more about hunting black bear with a licensed black bear operator.
Hunt moose with a tourist outfitter
Beginning in 2021, there will no longer be moose validation certificates. Outfitters will provide instruction to prospective clients on the steps you need to take to purchase a moose licence and separate tag before you arrive at the outfitter. The outfitter can only provide the tag once a client has paid for the tag. The moose tag fees below apply to both residents and non-residents.
A hunter must be a registered guest of the outfitter and carry documentation provided by the outfitter to verify this if they:
- receive a moose tag from an outfitter
- hunt in a party with another hunter who receives a moose tag from an outfitter
Learn more about hunting moose with a tourist outfitter.
Hunting 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 fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to 13% HST.
| Non-resident products | 2021 fee |
|---|---|
| Outdoors Card | $8.57 |
| One-year small game licence | $119.02 |
| Three-year small game licence | $357.06 |
| Moose licence | $469.86 |
| Moose calf tag | $30.00 |
| Moose cow.calf tag | $150.00 |
| Moose bull tag | $200.00 |
| Deer licence and tag | $235.81 |
| Additional deer tag | $235.81 |
| Black bear licence and tag (to hunt through an outfitter) | $235.81 |
| Wolf/coyote tag (only required for select Wildlife Management Units) | $253.07 |
| Wild turkey tag – Spring | $29.83 |
| Wild turkey tag – Fall | $29.83 |
| Dog licence | $14.96 |
| Export permit (moose, deer and black bear) | $35.00 |