This guide explains how to get a hunting license in Ontario from start to finish: the hunter education course and exam, getting your accreditation on file, the Outdoors Card, licences and tags, and the extra firearms licensing you need if you want to hunt with a gun. Fees are from ontario.ca as of October 2026 and are subject to HST unless noted.
The step most people worry about is the exam. If you want to know where you stand before you book a course, our Ontario hunter education practice exam explains the format and every topic, and the free 20-question diagnostic gives you a score by topic in 20 minutes.
The short version
- Take the Ontario Hunter Education Course and pass its exam, in person or online.
- Get your Certificate of Completion.
- Have your hunter accreditation put on file with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service.
- Buy an Outdoors Card.
- Buy your licences and tags, and apply for any draws.
- To hunt with a gun, also complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and get a PAL.
- Learn the current year's Hunting Regulations Summary and submit your mandatory hunter reports.
The rest of this page goes through each step in detail.
Step 1: Take the Ontario Hunter Education Course
According to ontario.ca, most people need to pass the Ontario Hunter Education Course, including an exam, before they can get a resident hunting licence. The program is run by the Ministry of Natural Resources together with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), and the course covers wildlife management, hunter responsibilities, hunting laws and regulations, hunting safety and equipment, hunting techniques, and wildlife identification.
You have two options.
Option A: In-person course with a certified instructor
You learn in a classroom, over one day or split across more than one, and write the exam with the instructor at the end. Courses are listed on ohep.net. Many instructors run a one-stop course that combines hunter education with the CFSC, which is a practical choice if you plan to hunt with a gun.
Fees are set by each instructor. As examples: a ministry-listed 7-hour course was priced at $134 including HST, the manual and the regulations summary, and one independent instructor lists $195 for a stand-alone course and $175 when combined with the CFSC. Treat these as examples only and confirm what is included.
Option B: Online course
The online course runs through HUNTERcourse.com, the ministry's delegated provider.
| Item | Online course |
|---|---|
| Cost | $60 + tax |
| Structure | 13 chapters, each with a quiz, then a final exam |
| Pass mark | At least 80% on each chapter quiz and the final exam |
| Retakes | You can review wrong answers and retake |
| Time limit | Finish within 90 days of paying |
| Language | English or French |
Which option is right for you?
| If you... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Want to hunt with a gun this season | An in-person one-stop course with the CFSC |
| Plan to bow hunt only | The online course |
| Learn best by asking questions | In person |
| Work shifts or live far from a course | Online |
| Are a young first-time hunter | In person, with a parent if possible |
Key fact: The hunter education course on its own lets you hunt with a bow or crossbow. To hunt with a gun you also need the CFSC. Hunter education does not replace it.
Preparing for the exam
The online exam pass mark is 80%. The ministry does not publish the length or pass mark of the in-person exam, so prepare to the 80% standard either way. The topics that cost people the most marks are wildlife identification and the exact numbers in the regulations: hunter orange area, hunting hours, shotgun capacity and arrow rules.
- Take the free mock exam 1: 50 questions, 60 minutes, 40 to pass.
- Drill hunting regulations and wildlife identification.
- Read the free Ontario regulations study note.
Step 2: Get your Certificate of Completion
Online students receive the certificate by email (allow about 48 hours). In-person students get it from their instructor. Keep the original and a copy. If you lose it, OHEP can help you replace it (705-748-5785).
Step 3: Put your hunter accreditation on file
Passing the course is not enough on its own. Your accreditation must be on file with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service before you can buy your first licence. Right now you do this by taking your printed Certificate of Completion to a participating ServiceOntario location. Ontario says it will start accepting online submission through its new licensing system in early 2027.
Already accredited?
Ontario accepts several older forms of proof for residents 12 and over, including:
- a hunter education examiner's report for an exam passed after 1 January 1968;
- any Ontario hunting licence issued after 1 January 1968;
- an Outdoors Card authorizing hunting issued before 1 January 2019;
- a hunter apprenticeship safety card issued before 1 January 2019;
- a ministry verification letter or certificate.
New residents and non-residents
You may not need the Ontario course at all if you are:
- a new Ontario resident who has lived here at least six months and holds hunter education or recognized credentials from your previous jurisdiction; or
- a non-resident with recognized accreditation from your home jurisdiction. First-time non-resident hunters must be at least 16.
Step 4: Buy your Outdoors Card
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | $8.57 |
| Valid | 3 calendar years |
| Who needs it | All resident and non-resident hunters buying licences |
| Under 16 | Needs parental or guardian consent |
| Delivery | Mailed, in about 20 days; you can hunt with your licence summary in the meantime |
| While hunting | Carry it |
Exam tip: Your licence summary can be carried on paper or as the official PDF on your phone. A photo or screenshot is not valid. This rule appears on the hunter education exam as well as in the field.
Step 5: Buy your licences and tags
What you buy depends on what you want to hunt. These are the 2026 resident fees from ontario.ca, all plus 13% HST except the reporting surcharge.
| Licence or tag | Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Small game licence, 1 year | $22.76 |
| Small game licence, 3 years | $68.28 |
| Deer licence and tag | $43.86 |
| Additional deer tag | $43.86 |
| Black bear licence and tag | $43.86 |
| Wild turkey tag (spring or fall) | $26.33 |
| Moose draw application | $15.00 |
| Moose licence | $35.29 |
| Moose tags | From $30.00 (calf) to $200.00 (bull) |
| Elk draw application | $15.00 |
| Elk licence and tag | $48.25 |
| Wolf/coyote tag (where required) | $10.05 |
| Late hunter report surcharge | $25.00 (no HST) |
All hunting licences expire on 31 December unless the licence says otherwise.
Draws
Moose, elk, antlerless deer and controlled deer hunts are allocated by draw. In 2026 the application deadlines were 30 April and 7 July for moose, 10 June for elk, 30 June for antlerless deer and 31 July for controlled deer hunts. Dates change each year, so check the current Hunting Regulations Summary. Apprentices in the youth program cannot apply for big game draws.
Migratory birds
To hunt ducks, geese and other migratory game birds you need, in addition to your Outdoors Card and a small game licence, a federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit with a Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp. Hunters under 18 can get a free youth permit. Non-toxic shot is required for migratory game birds in Ontario, except woodcock.
Step 6: Get your firearms licence (if you hunt with a gun)
This is the step that surprises most new hunters. If you want to hunt with any gun, including an air or pellet gun, you must carry one of these while hunting:
- a valid Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL);
- a valid minor's licence; or
- a copy of your CFSC student report.
You do not need firearms accreditation to hunt with a bow or crossbow.
How the CFSC and PAL fit in
- Take the CFSC. It ends with a written and a practical test. Ontario courses are often combined with hunter education. Our free PAL practice test covers the written exam.
- Get your course report validated. In Ontario, CFSC course reports are processed through the Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario, which OHEP says takes about a month.
- Apply to the RCMP for your PAL. The non-restricted PAL fee is $70.38 from 31 March 2026, according to rcmp.ca. First-time applicants face a 28-day waiting period before a licence can be issued, plus processing time.
- Minors aged 12 to 17 can apply for a minor's licence instead. You can apply for an adult PAL up to six months before your 18th birthday.
Key fact: Under federal law, if you have only a CFSC student report and no licence, you must hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of someone with a valid PAL. Apply for your PAL early so you are not limited by this.
Our guide on how to get a PAL in Ontario covers course prices, the Ontario Chief Firearms Officer and processing times in detail. For the national steps, see how to get a PAL.
Age rules for hunting in Ontario
| Age | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Any age | Take the hunter education course (there is no minimum age for the course, though some instructors set their own) |
| 12 to 14 | Hunt as an apprentice in the Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program (HASP) with an Outdoors Card and hunter accreditation |
| 12 and over | Need proof of hunter accreditation to be issued any hunting licence |
| 15 | Hold your own licences with written parental consent |
| 16 and over | Hold your own licences |
The Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program
HASP lets 12- to 14-year-olds hunt with a mentor. The rules:
- The apprentice needs an Outdoors Card with hunter accreditation.
- The mentor must be 18 or older and hold an Outdoors Card plus the licence and tag for the species.
- The apprentice and mentor share one firearm.
- The apprentice must carry proof of CFSC when using a gun.
- Apprentices cannot apply for big game draws.
From 15, a hunter must buy their own Outdoors Card and licences.
What it costs: three example budgets
These examples use 2026 government fees and the online course price. Instructor, CFSC course and equipment costs vary.
| Item | Bow hunting deer | Small game with a shotgun | Deer with a rifle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter education (online) | $60 + tax | $60 + tax | $60 + tax |
| Outdoors Card | $8.57 | $8.57 | $8.57 |
| Licence | Deer $43.86 + HST | Small game $22.76 + HST | Deer $43.86 + HST |
| CFSC course | Not needed | Instructor-set | Instructor-set |
| PAL fee | Not needed | $70.38 | $70.38 |
Course fees are not set by the province. The Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario has listed maximum CFSC course fees of about $210, before tax and the manual, but confirm the current price with your instructor.
How long it takes to get a hunting licence in Ontario
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| In-person hunter education | One day, or split over a few days |
| Online hunter education | At your own pace, within 90 days |
| Certificate | Emailed within about 48 hours (online) or from the instructor |
| Accreditation on file | When you visit a participating ServiceOntario location |
| Outdoors Card and licences | Can be bought once accreditation is on file; card mailed in about 20 days |
| CFSC validation and PAL | About a month for validation, then the RCMP's waiting period and processing |
If you only want to bow hunt, you can realistically go from no accreditation to licensed within a couple of weeks. If you want to hunt with a gun, start months ahead of the season.
After you are licensed
Know the regulations
The Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary is updated every year. Before each season, check:
- hunter orange (400 sq in above the waist plus a head cover during gun seasons for deer, elk or moose);
- hunting hours (half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset);
- your Wildlife Management Unit's seasons and limits;
- Sunday gun hunting, which depends on where you are;
- local municipal by-laws on discharging firearms;
- permission for any private land.
Submit your hunter reports
If you buy or are issued a tag for deer, elk, black bear, wild turkey or wolf/coyote (where required), or a moose licence, you must submit a mandatory hunter report, even if you did not hunt. Late reports cost a $25 surcharge.
Your study plan
- This week: take the free Ontario hunter education diagnostic to see where you stand.
- Pick your course: online for bow hunting only, or an in-person one-stop course if you want to hunt with a gun.
- Study: read the Ontario hunter education exam guide, then drill your weakest topics.
- Practise: sit mock exam 1 under the timer until you score 40 or more out of 50. Pro adds mocks 2 to 10 and topic practice from CA$7.99 a week, cancel any time.
- Gun hunters: prepare for the CFSC at the same time with the PAL practice test and learn ACTS and PROVE.
- After you pass: take your certificate to ServiceOntario, buy your Outdoors Card and licences, and note the draw deadlines.
Canada Licence Prep is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with the Government of Ontario, OFAH or any course provider. Always confirm rules against the current regulations summary before you hunt.
10 free Ontario hunter education practice questions with answers
Try each one, then open the answer. For a timed experience use the free mock exam.
1. In a deer-family track in soft mud or snow, two small marks show behind the main hoof print. What are they?
- A. Heel pads
- B. Dewclaws
- C. Tail drag marks
- D. Claw marks
Show answer
B. Dewclaws
Deer, moose, elk and caribou have two dewclaws above and behind the main hooves. They often print in soft ground, deep snow or when the animal is running or heavy.
2. Under Ontario's apprenticeship program, what must an apprentice and mentor do when hunting with a gun?
- A. Each carry a separate firearm
- B. Share a single firearm
- C. Use only a bow or crossbow
- D. Hunt in separate WMUs
Show answer
B. Share a single firearm
The apprentice must share a single firearm with the mentor and stay under direct and immediate supervision. This keeps the mentor in control of the firearm.
3. Why does Ontario restrict importing whole deer family carcasses from other jurisdictions?
- A. To protect Ontario's meat processors
- B. To collect royalties on imported meat
- C. To keep chronic wasting disease out of Ontario
- D. To stop the sale of trophy antlers
Show answer
C. To keep chronic wasting disease out of Ontario
Ontario restricts importing whole carcasses and high-risk parts of deer, elk, moose and caribou from other places to prevent the introduction of CWD.
4. Which power do Ontario conservation officers have when carrying out their duties?
- A. Issuing hunting licences to themselves
- B. Changing season dates on the spot
- C. Setting new bag limits for a WMU
- D. Entering and crossing private property
Show answer
D. Entering and crossing private property
The summary lists officer powers including stopping and inspecting vehicles, boats and aircraft, inspecting firearms, wildlife and buildings, entering and crossing private property, searching with a warrant, and searching without one when immediate action is needed.
5. While turkey hunting you see another hunter moving toward your calling position. What should you do?
- A. Wave your arm to get their attention
- B. Stay still and silent until they leave
- C. Call out loudly and clearly to them
- D. Make a gobble call so they know you are there
Show answer
C. Call out loudly and clearly to them
Ontario's safety reminders say to alert other hunters by yelling out in a loud, clear voice. Do not wave or make turkey sounds, which could draw a shot.
6. Which firearm is NOT allowed for hunting wild turkey in Ontario?
- A. A 12-gauge shotgun
- B. A muzzle-loading shotgun
- C. A rifle
- D. A bow with legal arrows
Show answer
C. A rifle
Wild turkey may be hunted only with shotguns (including muzzle-loading shotguns) or bows. Rifles are not permitted.
7. What is the best way to tell a red fox from other wild canines?
- A. A short tail with a black tip
- B. A very broad head and short ears
- C. A bushy tail with a white tip
- D. A striped back and ringed tail
Show answer
C. A bushy tail with a white tip
Red foxes have a long, bushy tail with a white tip, black 'stockings' on the legs and a red to grey coat. Colour phases vary, but the white tail tip is a good clue.
8. Besides the MNR TIPS line, which service does Ontario's summary suggest for reporting poaching, with calls kept anonymous?
- A. Crime Stoppers
- B. ServiceOntario
- C. The local game check station
- D. The Canadian Firearms Program
Show answer
A. Crime Stoppers
Ontario encourages anyone with information about illegally shot and wasted moose, deer, bear or other wildlife to call Crime Stoppers, where calls remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available.
9. How is Ontario divided for managing seasons and harvest?
- A. Into federal electoral districts
- B. Into Wildlife Management Units (WMUs)
- C. Into hunting club territories
- D. Into equal 100 km squares
Show answer
B. Into Wildlife Management Units (WMUs)
Ontario sets seasons, firearms restrictions and quotas by Wildlife Management Unit. WMU boundaries follow roads, lakes, rivers and other features where possible.
10. Which is usually an early sign of hypothermia?
- A. Hot, flushed skin
- B. Fast, heavy sweating
- C. Uncontrollable shivering
- D. A strong sense of hunger
Show answer
C. Uncontrollable shivering
Shivering is the body's early attempt to create heat. As hypothermia worsens, people begin to stumble, mumble, fumble and grumble, and shivering may stop.
Frequently asked questions
+How much does it cost to get a hunting licence in Ontario?
The online hunter education course is $60 plus tax, and in-person courses are priced by each instructor. The Outdoors Card is $8.57 for three years, a small game licence is $22.76 for one year and a deer licence and tag is $43.86, all plus HST, as of 2026. Hunting with a gun adds the cost of the CFSC course and the PAL fee.
+How old do you have to be to get a hunting licence in Ontario?
Residents can hold their own hunting licences from age 16, or 15 with written parental consent, once they have hunter accreditation. Residents aged 12 to 14 can hunt as apprentices with a mentor under the Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program. There is no minimum age to take the hunter education course.
+Can I get my Ontario hunting licence online?
You can take the hunter education course and exam online through HUNTERcourse.com and buy licences online through the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. For now, you put your accreditation on file by taking your printed certificate to a participating ServiceOntario location. Ontario says online submission will be accepted starting in early 2027.
+How long does it take to get a hunting licence in Ontario?
An in-person hunter education course is usually one day or split over a few days, and the online course can be finished at your own pace within 90 days. Once your accreditation is on file you can buy an Outdoors Card and licences right away and hunt with your licence summary while the card arrives by mail, which takes about 20 days. A PAL for gun hunting takes considerably longer.
+Do I need a PAL to hunt in Ontario?
Only if you hunt with a gun, including air and pellet guns. Bow and crossbow hunting do not require firearms accreditation. Gun hunters must carry a PAL, a minor's licence or a copy of their CFSC student report.
+Can I hunt with just my CFSC report while waiting for my PAL?
You can carry your CFSC student report as firearms accreditation for hunting, but under federal law someone with only a student report and no licence must be under the direct and immediate supervision of a valid PAL holder. Plan to apply for your PAL as soon as your course report is validated.
+What is an Outdoors Card in Ontario?
The Outdoors Card is the card you need to buy Ontario hunting licences. It costs $8.57, is valid for three calendar years and must be carried while hunting. Residents under 16 need parental or guardian consent to get one.
+Do I need hunter education if I hunted in another province?
Not always. New Ontario residents who have lived here at least six months and hold hunter education from their previous jurisdiction, and non-residents with recognized accreditation from home, may not need to take the Ontario course. Check ontario.ca for what documents are accepted.
+When do Ontario hunting licences expire?
All Ontario hunting licences expire on 31 December unless the licence says otherwise. The Outdoors Card is separate and lasts three calendar years. The small game licence can be bought for one year or three years.
Study offline on your phone too
The Canada Licence Prep app has the same questions with audio, French explanations and an ACTS & PROVE coach.
Keep reading
- Ontario Hunter Education Practice ExamFree Ontario Hunter Education practice exam: wildlife ID, regulations, ethics, firearm safety and survival questions, with explanations and a timed mock.
- How to Get a PAL in OntarioOntario PAL guide: approved CFSC courses, typical course prices, the Ontario CFO, processing times, minimum age and pairing it with hunter ed.
- Free PAL Practice Test (CFSC)Free 50-question CFSC mock exam for the PAL test: 80% pass mark, timed like the real thing, scored instantly with explanations. Start with a diagnostic.
- Hunter Education Exam PrepFree practice exams for the Ontario Hunter Education exam, Alberta Hunter Education and BC CORE, plus step-by-step hunting licence guides.
- How to Get Your PAL in CanadaThe 5 steps to a Canadian firearms licence: course, exams, RCMP 5592 application, references, and wait times. Includes RPAL and minors.
- ACTS and PROVE ExplainedWhat ACTS and PROVE stand for, how to apply them to every action on the CFSC practical, the errors that cost marks, and a printable summary.