Your Simple Guide To 2022 Ontario Hunting Regulations
Here is your comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to 2022 Ontario Hunting Regulations. Click on each section to learn more.
If you are looking for the best selection and price on shooting supplies, contact us.
*Please note: You should only use this guide as a reference. It is not legal advice or a replacement for legal advice. Be sure to review the government of Ontario's Hunting Regulations Summary page for a complete list of rules.
Keep up to date with all the 2022 Ontario hunting regulations
2022 Ontario Hunting Regulations
1. Hunting Licences
If you are hunting in Ontario, you need to get a valid hunting licence whether or not you kill, injure, capture, or harass any wildlife for the following:
Lying in wait for wildlife
Searching for wildlife
Being on the trail of wildlife
Pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife
Licences vary in cost depending on the type of game you are hunting, anywhere from about $10 plus HST for a resident wolf or coyote tag to about $470 plus HST for a non-resident moose licence.
Outdoors Cards:
An Outdoors Card is issued by the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry and it is valid for 3 calendar years. You need to purchase an outdoors card in addition to the appropriate licences for the type of game you are hunting. Outdoors cards are required for all resident and non-resident hunters who want to purchase a hunting licence. They currently cost $8.57 plus HST and you must carry them with you while you are hunting.
2022 Ontario Hunting Regulations: You need and outdoors card and licence to hunt in Ontario
Purchasing Licences and Outdoors Cards:
There are 3 ways that you can buy your license and outdoors card:
Online at the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service
Calling the toll free at 1-800-288-1155
Visiting a participating Service Ontario or license issuer
You should also check for and follow any other hunting regulations specific to your area. For example, you are only allowed to hunt from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset so you need to make sure that you check your local sunrise and sunset times before starting out.
In addition, some municipalities have restrictions on discharging firearms, so you should also check with the local municipal office where you are hunting.
Check for specific hunting regulations in your area
2. Hunting Tags
A hunting tag is a piece of paper that authorizes you to hunt a member of the species of game that is listed on the tag. You need to carefully follow the specific tagging instructions listed on your tag. As soon as you make a kill, you are required to invalidate your tag by notching the day, month, and time on the tag.
Attaching Tags:
You have to attach the tag to your animal if you are not immediately accompanying it or if you are unable to immediately produce your tag for inspection. Here are some examples of when this might happen:
You are transporting your animal in one vehicle and you are in another vehicle
You leave your animal at camp while you go out hunting again
You leave your animal at a butcher to be processed
If you are unsure, it is always better to attach your tag to your kill.
How to Get Hunting Tags:
You can get a hunting tag in one of two ways:
You can go online to the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service website and print off your tag from your computer.
You can visit a participating Service Ontario or license issuer in person.
2022 Ontario Hunting Regulations: If you are not sure whether you need to or not, it is always better to attach your tag to your kill
3. Proper Hunting Gear
Wearing the proper hunting gear is very important not only for your comfort, but also for your safety. Unless you are hunting double-crested cormorants or migratory game birds, except woodcock, you are required to wear a hunter orange garment and headcover.
Here are the regulations for your hunter orange garments:
It must cover at least 400 square inches above your waist
It needs to be visible from all sides (a vest that only has front and rear panels may not be visible from all sides)
It must be solid and not be open mesh or a camouflage orange
It must not be completely concealed by a backpack that you are wearing (having hunter orange on your backpack will solve that problem)
The hunter orange head covering cannot contain camouflage material
The headcover can have open mesh, a peak or brim that is a different colour
The headcover can have a crest or logo as long as it does not completely cover the hunter orange on the side where it is attached
In addition to wearing hunter orange, you will need to have an appropriate outer jacket that is puncture resistant as well as boots, socks, gloves, thermal underwear, etc. to protect you from the elements.
Photo by Austin Tate on Unsplash
2022 Ontario hunting regulations require you to wear hunter orange garments and head gear
4. Ontario Hunter Education Course
You need to successfully complete the Ontario Hunter Education Course and purchase applicable licenses in order to hunt with a bow in Ontario. This course is available online or in person from a certified instructor. The course covers important information including:
Wildlife management and identification
Hunter responsibilities and hunting techniques
Hunting laws and regulations
Hunting safety and equipment
If you want to hunt with a gun, you will need to complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. Both these courses are available independently and they are often delivered together in person.
2022 Ontario Hunting Regulations: You must take the Canadian Firearms Safety course in order to hunt with a gun in Ontario
5. Links to Regulations Regarding Specific Animals
Here are links to Ontario's hunting regulations for specific types of animals These pages include the dates for all the open seasons and any new 2022 Ontario hunting regulations.
Regulations for White-Tailed Deer
Regulations for Wolf and Coyote
Image by Marg Strickland from Pixabay
There are different 2022 Ontario hunting regulations and seasons for different animals
6. Where to Get the Best Shooting Products
It is a good idea to buy your hunting supplies from a reputable dealer with knowledgeable staff. This is especially true if you are new to hunting. You want to be able to get accurate advice from experienced professionals who know the right type of hunting supplies that you will need such as:
Firearms
Hunting Garments
Hummason is a hunting supplies store that cares. We want to make sure that you have the very best experience possible - whether you’re hunting or practicing your skills. That’s why we manufacture, distribute, and sell the highest-quality hunting supplies at the lowest prices possible.
We will give you a personalized experience that you won’t get at other big-box outdoor sports stores. Hummason is a Canadian-owned, family-run business. We are a smaller company that values that personal touch. You can have a real conversation with our highly-experienced staff and we are always here to answer any questions you may have.
We know the shooting supply industry inside and out and we would love to share our expertise with you. If you are a new client and are intimidated by making your own ammunition, we can help you get started. We want to make sure that you succeed, so we’ll take the time to understand what you need and explain how to use any of our products properly and safely.
Take a look at our complete products & pricing list online, or contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get ready for the field.
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