Hunting notices and updates

Improvements to moose management

During the moose management review in 2019, we heard from people across Ontario who wanted moose hunting to be fairer and more sustainable. Improvements will start in 2020 with more changes coming for the 2021 hunting season. Learn more about the changes and how you can prepare for them.

The moose tag draw is being replaced by a points-based tag allocation process in 2021. Learn more about how moose tags will be distributed to resident hunters beginning in 2021.

Apply to the new moose tag allocation process starting April 1, 2021.

Moose tag quotas

Find resident moose tag quotas and hunt codes you’ll need to apply to the points-based allocation process at ontario.ca/moosequotas.

Apply to hunt big game in 2021

• Antlerless deer - March 1 to July 8, Results available August 1
• Controlled deer - August 1 to August 31, Results available October 10
• Moose primary allocation - April 1 to April 30, Results available May 16
• Moose second chance allocation - June 15 to July 7, Results available August 1
• Elk - April 15 to June 10, Results available August 1

Get more information

How to print your tags

Please ensure your printer is connected to your device and is fully operational with paper loaded before you print your licence summary and tag(s). Please set your printer to print single-sided only. You will only have one opportunity to print your tags at home.

Step 1: login to your account

• Visit the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service and login to your online account.

Step 2: My Active Licences

• Select My Active Licenses link, which is located at the top of the page.
• The print indicators found under the Printable Tag column include:
  • Yes indicates that the tag is available for printing
  • Pending indicates that a purchased tag that is not yet available for printing
  • Printed indicates a tag that has been printed

Step 3: print your tags

1. Select the Print Available Documents
2. A current licence summary and available tags will display as a PDF and will open in a separate tab or window.
3. Select Print from the opened window.

Get detailed step-by-step instructions on how to print your tags online from your home.

Keeping chronic wasting disease out of Ontario

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal and untreatable disease which affects members of the deer (cervid) family including:

• white-tailed deer
• elk
• moose
• caribou

CWD has not been detected in Ontario wild cervids, but it is important to be vigilant. We are taking measures to help prevent CWD from coming into Ontario. Some of these measures are new as of January 1, 2021, including:

• restrictions on importing and moving live cervids
• restrictions on importing cervids hunted outside of Ontario
• making the use and possession of natural lures and attractants made from cervids illegal

Learn more about how we are keeping CWD out of Ontario.

Black bear changes for 2021

Black bear hunter reporting

As of 2021, resident black bear hunters must provide information on all their hunting activity and harvest for the year in a single report. This report is due December 14.

Bear hunters must not submit their report until they are done hunting for the year. You should make note of your spring hunting activities, observations and harvest to make sure you are providing accurate information.

Learn more about mandatory hunter reporting.

Black bear hunting services

As of 2021, any person who wants to provide black bear hunting services (such as guiding or baiting) to resident hunters in a Bear Management Area (BMA) must possess a licence to provide black bear hunting services which allows them to provide services within that BMA.

There can only be one licence holder per BMA. Contact your local MNRF District office for more information.

As of 2021, all non-residents, including those who own property or who are hunting with an immediate relative, are required to hunt through an operator licensed to provide black bear guiding and hunting services.

Learn about hunting black bear with a licensed bear operator.

2021 black bear second tag information

Field dressing, transporting and preparing wild game

Hunters are reminded to ensure proper handling of their harvested game to ensure a quality food product for the table. Please visit the Ontario Hunter Education Program webpage on field dressing, transporting and preparing wild game for more information and helpful tips on proper handling techniques.

Harvested animals with ear-tags

If you harvest an animal that is wearing an ear-tag with the phone number 1-866-514-2327, this animal was chemically immobilized in the past using veterinary drugs. Health Canada has established recommended guidelines for consumption. Please call the above number for specific information on whether Health Canada would recommend that the meat of your animal be consumed.

Cadmium

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry recommends that people not eat the liver and kidneys of moose, deer, and elk because of concerns about cadmium levels in these internal organs.

Lead

Recent research has indicated that the amount of lead found in a small percentage of game meat could result in health impacts in people who regularly consume meat which was harvested using lead ammunition. To date, there is no known evidence linking consumption of wild game to acute lead poisoning.

Exposure to lead can be reduced by:

• Avoiding meat with excessive shot damage and trimming generous distances around wound channels while processing game.
• Using non-lead ammunition.
• Practicing marksmanship to avoid penetrating major muscle areas. Aim for vital organs on big game.
• Avoiding consumption of internal organs.