Ontario Canada Hunting License Requirements

A popular seasonal sport in Canada, hunting is carefully regulated and controlled by the provincial and territorial governments. Canadian forests provide great areas to hunt deer, wild turkey, migratory birds, and moose. Prospective hunters must know the legal seasons for each game species they plan to hunt and obtain all required licenses before they head off to the woods. Non-residents of Ontario also must be the registered guest of a tourist outfitter and/or hunt with a guide where required, according to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

  1. Canadian Firearms Safety Course Exam

    • Prospective hunters in Ontario must be at least 16 years old and must complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course Exam as a step toward licensing. The written examination tests the prospective hunter's understanding of Canada's hunting rules and regulations and of safe practices for using a weapon when hunting.

    Ontario Hunter Education Course Exam

    • Ontario's Hunter Education Course Exam must be completed before the prospective hunter can apply for a Canadian hunting license. The Ontario exam tests the knowledge of prospective hunters regarding provincial hunting laws, gun safety, and wildlife-identification strategies. The program is administered by the Ministry of Natural Resources in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

    Outdoors Card

    • Besides completing the Ontario Hunter Education Course Exam and the Canadian Firearms Safety Course Exam, would-be hunters must obtain the hunting version of Outdoors Card issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources. There are hunting and fishing versions of the Outdoors Card. Hunters with guns must carry the hunting version, classified as the "H1 Outdoors Card." The card permits hunting using guns and archery. The card must be purchased from the Ministry of Natural Resources website or from an accredited third-party retailer dealing with licences for hunting. To be eligible to purchase this card and to hunt, prospective hunters must have already completed the required exams detailed above.

      In addition to these requirements, hunters must have all applicable licences, licence tags, e-licences, game seals and validation tags for the species being hunted, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.