How to get your Ontario hunting licence (for non-residents)

Step 1: Get your Ontario Outdoors Card

You must either get or renew your Outdoors Card. An Ontario Outdoors Card is valid for three calendar years and is issued by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.  Everyone needs one that wishes to hunt or fish in Ontario.

There are options to getting or renewing your Outdoors Card: 

Online
By phone (1-800-288-1155) 
At a participating Service Ontario location
At a licence issuer
 

The following information is required to buy, renew or replace an Outdoors Card:

• Your legal name; first, middle and last name
• Your date of birth
• Mailing and/or residential address
• Height
• Eye colour

If purchasing online, you will require a unique email address to set up your online account. Follow this tip sheet on how to set up an online account.

If you have an Outdoors Card and wish to update it with a change of address or name, you may update it online, at a licence issuer or participating Service Ontario centre or by calling the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011 within 10 days of the change.  

The cost of an Ontario Outdoors Card is $8.57 CAD, plus tax.

Step 2: Purchase an Ontario Hunting Licence for a non-resident

As an Ontario non-resident, you must submit and original or a certified copy of acceptable hunting accreditation by emailing the Natural Resources Information Support Centre prior to visiting Ontario. This will be completed within 15 days of receipt and allows non-residents to purchase hunting products online before departing.

You can, as a non-resident, visit a licence issuer or Service Ontario to purchase your hunting products and go hunting immediately after the purchase. Your hunting accreditation will be forwarded to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for processing by the licence issuer or by Service Ontario.

Valid accreditation: 

• a hunting licence issued to the applicant after January 1, 1968 by a competent authority in a recognized jurisdiction in which the applicant was a resident at the time of the issuance of the licence, provided the non-resident is not prohibited from hunting or subject to any restrictions with respect to hunting in that jurisdiction, or
• a certificate issued to the applicant after January 1, 1968 by a competent authority in a recognized jurisdiction which indicates that the holder was or is authorized to purchase a hunting licence in that jurisdiction.

Should the individual not possess valid accreditation from a recognized jurisdiction, the individual will be required to complete the Ontario Hunter Education Program and examination and submit the examination report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

When purchasing your Ontario hunting licence, be aware that licences are species specific. For example, a turkey licence is separate from a deer licence. All Ontario hunting licences expire on December 31st each year, unless otherwise stated, and follow the season dates found in the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary.

Please be aware that:

“Non-residents who wish to hunt black bear or moose are generally required to hunt with a licensed bear operator or a moose tourist outfitter. Some exceptions apply to non-residents hunting with an immediate relative who is an Ontario resident and the immediate relative is in possession of a moose tag.”

It is up to you, the hunter, to know the type of season i.e. bow or rifle, the open dates for a certain species i.e. turkey or moose along with all other hunting rules that apply.

Costs for Ontario hunting licences vary by species. Find the up-to-date costs in Canadian funds. When tags are applicable for the species selected for non-residents the most tags are included with the licence.

Tags are required for:

• Moose (Non-residents cannot acquire a moose tag unless they use the services of a moose tourist outfitter and hunt as a registered guest., as of 2021).
• Black Bear (note MNRF regulation quoted above)
• Deer
• Wolves/Coyotes (you can hunt only in select wildlife management units)
• Wild Turkey Spring or Wild Turkey Fall
• In addition, for moose, deer and black bear you will need an export permit to bring the meat home if your hunt is successful (export permits – applicable to non-Canadian residents only).

Please note applicable taxes will apply to all purchases.

Purchasing is not a difficult process. Follow the steps and your trip will happen in no time. Learn about bringing a hunting gun or box across the border into Canada.

Safe travels and safe hunting.