Canada Licence Prep
Free practice test

Use your browser's print dialog and choose "Save as PDF" to download.

Ontario hunter education: 50 practice questions

Real test: 50 questions, 60 minutes, pass 40/50 (80%). Answer key on the last page. From canadianlicensetest.com · independent study aid, not an official test.

  1. 1. In a deer-family track in soft mud or snow, two small marks show behind the main hoof print. What are they?

    1. A. Heel pads
    2. B. Dewclaws
    3. C. Tail drag marks
    4. D. Claw marks

  2. 2. Under Ontario's apprenticeship program, what must an apprentice and mentor do when hunting with a gun?

    1. A. Each carry a separate firearm
    2. B. Share a single firearm
    3. C. Use only a bow or crossbow
    4. D. Hunt in separate WMUs

  3. 3. Why does Ontario restrict importing whole deer family carcasses from other jurisdictions?

    1. A. To protect Ontario's meat processors
    2. B. To collect royalties on imported meat
    3. C. To keep chronic wasting disease out of Ontario
    4. D. To stop the sale of trophy antlers

  4. 4. Which power do Ontario conservation officers have when carrying out their duties?

    1. A. Issuing hunting licences to themselves
    2. B. Changing season dates on the spot
    3. C. Setting new bag limits for a WMU
    4. D. Entering and crossing private property

  5. 5. While turkey hunting you see another hunter moving toward your calling position. What should you do?

    1. A. Wave your arm to get their attention
    2. B. Stay still and silent until they leave
    3. C. Call out loudly and clearly to them
    4. D. Make a gobble call so they know you are there

  6. 6. Which firearm is NOT allowed for hunting wild turkey in Ontario?

    1. A. A 12-gauge shotgun
    2. B. A muzzle-loading shotgun
    3. C. A rifle
    4. D. A bow with legal arrows

  7. 7. What is the best way to tell a red fox from other wild canines?

    1. A. A short tail with a black tip
    2. B. A very broad head and short ears
    3. C. A bushy tail with a white tip
    4. D. A striped back and ringed tail

  8. 8. Besides the MNR TIPS line, which service does Ontario's summary suggest for reporting poaching, with calls kept anonymous?

    1. A. Crime Stoppers
    2. B. ServiceOntario
    3. C. The local game check station
    4. D. The Canadian Firearms Program

  9. 9. How is Ontario divided for managing seasons and harvest?

    1. A. Into federal electoral districts
    2. B. Into Wildlife Management Units (WMUs)
    3. C. Into hunting club territories
    4. D. Into equal 100 km squares

  10. 10. Which is usually an early sign of hypothermia?

    1. A. Hot, flushed skin
    2. B. Fast, heavy sweating
    3. C. Uncontrollable shivering
    4. D. A strong sense of hunger

  11. 11. Ontario hunters may use a .22 rifle to hunt ring-necked pheasants.

    1. A. True
    2. B. False

  12. 12. What is a 'limiting factor' for a wildlife population?

    1. A. A rule that limits how many hunters may apply to a draw
    2. B. The maximum number of animals allowed on a single tag
    3. C. Anything, like scarce food, that keeps a population from growing
    4. D. A fence built around the edge of a wildlife area

  13. 13. When party hunting in Ontario, how far may each member be from the person holding the valid tag?

    1. A. Within 1 km
    2. B. Within 5 km
    3. C. Within 10 km
    4. D. Anywhere in the same WMU

  14. 14. What extra licence does an Ontario hunter need to hunt small game with a trained red-tailed hawk?

    1. A. No extra licence; hawks are exempt
    2. B. A licence for a hunting dog
    3. C. A Falconry Licence
    4. D. A trapping licence for the area

  15. 15. How does a broadhead-tipped arrow kill big game?

    1. A. By cutting blood vessels and causing rapid bleeding
    2. B. By the shock from the arrow's high energy
    3. C. By breaking the large leg and shoulder bones
    4. D. By a chemical coating on the arrow shaft

  16. 16. How does a foil emergency (space) blanket help keep you warm?

    1. A. It produces heat through a chemical reaction
    2. B. It reflects much of your radiated body heat back to you
    3. C. It absorbs sunlight and stores it for the night
    4. D. It lets sweat escape while blocking all wind

  17. 17. How can you tell a bobcat from a lynx?

    1. A. A bobcat's tail is black on top and white underneath
    2. B. A bobcat's tail tip is black all the way around
    3. C. A bobcat has much longer ear tufts
    4. D. A bobcat has larger, snowshoe-like feet

  18. 18. Ontario prohibits hunting predominantly white-coloured moose (more than 50 percent white) in certain wildlife management units.

    1. A. True
    2. B. False

  19. 19. In Ontario, what is the only type of firearm permitted for taking bullfrogs?

    1. A. A bow, including a crossbow
    2. B. An air rifle
    3. C. A .22 rimfire rifle
    4. D. A shotgun with fine shot

  20. 20. At an Ontario game check station, what are hunters required to do?

    1. A. Hand over their firearms for storage
    2. B. Give reasonable help and accurate answers
    3. C. Surrender all of their harvested game
    4. D. Pay a fee for the station inspection

  21. 21. You meet a cougar at close range on a trail. What should you do?

    1. A. Run downhill as fast as you possibly can
    2. B. Turn around and walk away quickly
    3. C. Crouch down low and stay perfectly still
    4. D. Face it, look big and back away slowly

  22. 22. Small domed piles of cattails and vegetation on a frozen marsh are usually made by which animal?

    1. A. River otter
    2. B. Mink
    3. C. Muskrat
    4. D. Beaver

  23. 23. You find a large, heart-shaped hoof print about 14 cm long in mud near a beaver pond. Which animal most likely made it?

    1. A. White-tailed deer
    2. B. Moose
    3. C. Black bear
    4. D. Snowshoe hare

  24. 24. A duck you shot falls into the marsh and starts swimming away. What should you do?

    1. A. Count it as a miss and continue hunting as before
    2. B. Retrieve it at once and dispatch it quickly
    3. C. Let it go, since it may well recover on its own
    4. D. Keep shooting at other birds and look for it later

  25. 25. Where are wolves and coyotes generally NOT hunted in Ontario?

    1. A. In northern Ontario in winter
    2. B. On private farmland with permission
    3. C. In WMUs where no tag is required
    4. D. In provincial parks and Crown Game Preserves

  26. 26. In Ontario's rules, what is a 'pelt'?

    1. A. Any tanned fur made into clothing
    2. B. An untanned furbearer skin, on or off the carcass
    3. C. Only a skin that has been stretched and dried
    4. D. The skin of any big game animal

  27. 27. You finish a morning muzzleloader hunt in Ontario and drive to a new area. Under federal transport rules, when is your muzzleloader unloaded?

    1. A. When the ramrod is removed from its holder
    2. B. When the barrel is pointed at the floor of the truck
    3. C. When powder and projectile are removed from the breech
    4. D. As soon as the cap is taken off the nipple

  28. 28. Why should your survival kit include at least two different ways to start a fire?

    1. A. Two fires are needed to signal for help
    2. B. A second fire keeps bears away
    3. C. One method may fail when wet, cold or used up
    4. D. Fire rules require two methods

  29. 29. A non-hunting hiker on a trail asks you, politely, why you hunt. What is the best response?

    1. A. Answer respectfully and explain calmly
    2. B. Ignore the question and walk away
    3. C. Tell them it is none of their business
    4. D. Argue until they agree with you

  30. 30. Which is illegal in Ontario, even to protect property?

    1. A. Using a fence to keep deer out
    2. B. Scaring birds with noise
    3. C. Using poison or adhesives on wildlife
    4. D. Asking a licensed trapper for help

  31. 31. How many spring wild turkey tags may one Ontario hunter buy, and may they be filled on the same day?

    1. A. Up to three, filled on any day
    2. B. Two, not filled on the same day
    3. C. Two, and both may be filled at once
    4. D. One only, for the whole spring

  32. 32. What does 'extirpated' mean?

    1. A. Gone from one area but still living elsewhere
    2. B. Extinct everywhere in the whole world
    3. C. Recently introduced to a new area
    4. D. Overabundant and causing habitat damage

  33. 33. It is a deer gun season in Ontario and you are bowhunting from the ground. What must you wear?

    1. A. Full camouflage with no orange
    2. B. Hunter orange garment and head cover
    3. C. An orange hat and nothing else
    4. D. An orange armband and a camo cap

  34. 34. Which of these may act as a conservation officer enforcing Ontario's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997?

    1. A. A ServiceOntario clerk
    2. B. An Ontario police officer
    3. C. A landowner on their own land
    4. D. Any licensed hunter

  35. 35. Why should you slow down or open your jacket while climbing a hill in cold weather?

    1. A. To let game animals hear you coming
    2. B. To cool down your rifle barrel
    3. C. To avoid sweating, which later chills you
    4. D. To burn off extra energy quickly

  36. 36. When hunting raccoons at night in Ontario, which firearm may be used?

    1. A. A rim-fire rifle
    2. B. A centre-fire rifle
    3. C. A crossbow
    4. D. A shotgun with slugs

  37. 37. A small drake duck has a grey-blue head with a white crescent in front of the eye and shows a pale blue patch on the front of the wing. Which duck is it?

    1. A. Blue-winged teal
    2. B. Bufflehead
    3. C. Common goldeneye
    4. D. Lesser scaup

  38. 38. When shooting a crossbow, where must you keep your fingers and thumb?

    1. A. On top of the rail to steady the bolt
    2. B. Below the rail, away from the string's path
    3. C. Wrapped firmly around the string
    4. D. Out in front of the crossbow limbs

  39. 39. You hear brush crackling and glimpse brown movement 60 m away in thick cover. What should you do?

    1. A. Hold fire until you clearly see and identify the whole animal
    2. B. Fire quickly before the animal escapes
    3. C. Fire a shot near it to make it move into view
    4. D. Shoot at the sound because deer are common there

  40. 40. What licence does a person need to provide guiding or baiting services to resident bear hunters in an Ontario Bear Management Area?

    1. A. A bear hunting services licence
    2. B. No licence; it is a private service
    3. C. Only a Resident Bear Licence
    4. D. A trapping licence for the area

  41. 41. You feel a 'hot spot' rubbing on your heel early in a long walk to your stand. What should you do?

    1. A. Loosen the other boot to balance your stride
    2. B. Keep going; it will toughen up by the afternoon
    3. C. Pop it with your knife and keep walking
    4. D. Stop and cover it with tape or moleskin right away

  42. 42. You leave your harvested deer hanging at camp while you go out party hunting. What must you do with your notched tag?

    1. A. Attach it to the deer before leaving
    2. B. Keep it in your pocket
    3. C. Leave it on the camp table
    4. D. Give it to a party member to carry

  43. 43. What is the 'beard' on a wild turkey?

    1. A. The red skin hanging from the throat
    2. B. The spur on the back of the leg
    3. C. A tuft of hair-like feathers on the chest
    4. D. The fleshy flap over the bill

  44. 44. In Ontario, in which boat may you carry and fire a loaded gun while hunting?

    1. A. A motorboat drifting with the motor off
    2. B. A boat towed behind a motorboat
    3. C. A canoe being paddled with no motor attached
    4. D. Any boat anchored close to shore

  45. 45. In Ontario you see a turkey hunter using a battery-powered caller. What rule is being broken?

    1. A. Turkey calls of any kind are illegal
    2. B. Callers must be used only after noon
    3. C. Only box calls need a permit
    4. D. Electronic calls are illegal for wild turkey

  46. 46. What does Ontario require to train dogs on game species during the closed season?

    1. A. An authorization or licence from MNR
    2. B. Nothing, if the dog is leashed
    3. C. Only a municipal dog tag
    4. D. Only a Small Game Licence

  47. 47. An Ontario hunter using only a crossbow must carry proof of firearms accreditation such as a PAL.

    1. A. True
    2. B. False

  48. 48. What must a new Ontario hunter have on file before buying a first hunting licence?

    1. A. A completed restricted firearms safety course
    2. B. A letter of reference from a local hunting club
    3. C. A signed landowner permission form for the season
    4. D. Hunter accreditation, such as a hunter education pass

  49. 49. Permission to hunt on private land last year automatically lets you hunt there this year.

    1. A. True
    2. B. False

  50. 50. You must cross a large swamp while following a bearing and cannot see far. What is a good technique?

    1. A. Set the compass on the ground and walk away from it
    2. B. Sight on a tree on your bearing, walk to it, then repeat
    3. C. Follow the easiest route and ignore the bearing
    4. D. Walk until the swamp ends and guess the direction

Answer key

  1. 1. B — 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. 2. B — 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. 3. C — 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. 4. D — 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. 5. C — 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. 6. C — Wild turkey may be hunted only with shotguns (including muzzle-loading shotguns) or bows. Rifles are not permitted.
  7. 7. C — 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. 8. A — 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. 9. B — Ontario sets seasons, firearms restrictions and quotas by Wildlife Management Unit. WMU boundaries follow roads, lakes, rivers and other features where possible.
  10. 10. C — 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.
  11. 11. B — The small game section notes that it is illegal to hunt ring-necked pheasants with a rifle. Pheasants are hunted with shotguns, bows or falconry birds.
  12. 12. C — Limiting factors include shortages of food, water or cover, disease, predation, severe weather and hunting. Managers study them to understand population trends.
  13. 13. B — Each member must hunt within 5 km of the tag holder, in the same WMU, and be able to communicate reliably and immediately with the others.
  14. 14. C — All falconers need a valid Small Game Licence, and a Falconry Licence is required to keep native falconry birds and hunt with them. Migratory birds taken by falconry also need the federal permit and stamp.
  15. 15. A — Arrows carry far less energy than bullets. Sharp broadheads kill by cutting tissue and causing heavy blood loss, which is why they must be razor sharp.
  16. 16. B — A metallized emergency blanket reflects radiant body heat and blocks wind, which slows heat loss. It is light and cheap, so it belongs in every hunter's personal survival kit.
  17. 17. A — The lynx's short tail is tipped black all around; the bobcat's is black only on top with white below. Lynx also have longer ear tufts and much larger feet for snow.
  18. 18. A — The moose season tables state that hunting predominantly white moose, over 50 percent white, is not permitted in specific WMUs in northeastern Ontario. Check the WMU tables before hunting.
  19. 19. A — Bullfrogs may be taken for personal use under a fishing licence, and the only firearms permitted for harvesting them are bows, such as compound, recurve, long or crossbows. They may also be taken by hand at night with a light.
  20. 20. B — During inspections, hunters must provide reasonable assistance and accurate information about their hunt so officers can collect data and check compliance.
  21. 21. D — Never run from a cougar or turn your back. Face it, keep children close, make yourself appear large, speak firmly and back away slowly. If it attacks, fight back with everything you have.
  22. 22. C — Muskrats build small lodges of cattails and other plants, and in winter they push vegetation up through holes in the ice to make feeding shelters called push-ups.
  23. 23. B — Moose tracks are the largest deer-family tracks in most of Canada, often 13 cm or longer, with the typical heart shape of a split hoof. Adult deer tracks are usually well under 10 cm long.
  24. 24. B — Hunters must make every reasonable effort to retrieve downed birds immediately and dispatch cripples quickly. A trained retrieving dog or a boat helps. Wounded birds count toward the bag when retrieved.
  25. 25. D — The summary notes that wolves and coyotes generally cannot be hunted in provincial parks or Crown Game Preserves, and extra closures apply in and around Algonquin, Killarney, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands and Kawartha Highlands.
  26. 26. B — Ontario defines a pelt as the untanned skin of a furbearing mammal, whether or not it is still on the carcass. Hunters who kill a furbearer, such as a coyote or raccoon, must not abandon the pelt or let it spoil.
  27. 27. C — The summary notes that under federal storage and transport rules, a muzzle-loading gun is not unloaded unless any propellant, projectile or cartridge has been removed from the breech or firing chamber. There is an exemption on transport restrictions when travelling between hunting sites.
  28. 28. C — Matches can get wet, lighters can fail in the cold, and fuel runs out. Carrying a backup such as a ferro rod or waterproof matches makes sure you can get warm and signal.
  29. 29. A — Courteous, honest answers help non-hunters understand hunting. Every hunter's behaviour affects public opinion.
  30. 30. C — It is illegal to use poison or adhesives (glue traps) to kill, injure or capture wildlife, including in protection of property.
  31. 31. B — Up to two spring turkey tags may be purchased per hunter, but two birds may not be taken on the same day. Only one fall tag is allowed per hunter.
  32. 32. A — An extirpated species has disappeared from a particular region but survives elsewhere. Extinct means it no longer exists anywhere.
  33. 33. B — During gun seasons for deer, elk or moose, all licensed hunters, including bowhunters, must wear a hunter orange garment and head cover meeting the size rules.
  34. 34. B — Conservation officers under the Act include MNR officers and also police officers, RCMP members, First Nations constables and certain federal officers. They may stop vehicles, inspect wildlife and firearms and enter private property.
  35. 35. C — Sweat soaks your clothing, and once you stop moving it draws heat from your body. Regulating effort and venting prevents that chill.
  36. 36. A — Night raccoon hunters must be accompanied by a licensed hunting dog and may only use a rim-fire rifle. Guns must be unloaded and encased in a vehicle, and a light may be used if it is not shone from or attached to a vehicle or boat.
  37. 37. A — The blue-winged teal drake has a white crescent between the eye and bill, and both sexes show a pale blue patch on the forewing in flight. It is one of the earliest ducks to migrate south in the fall.
  38. 38. B — A crossbow string travels with great force along the rail. Fingers or thumbs above the rail can be severely injured, so keep them below it.
  39. 39. A — Never shoot at sound, colour or movement. Many hunting casualties happen when a hunter mistakes a person for game. Wait until the whole animal is plainly identified with a safe backstop.
  40. 40. A — Anyone wanting to provide black bear hunting services, such as guiding or baiting, to resident hunters in a Bear Management Area must hold a Licence to Provide Bear Hunting Services that covers that area.
  41. 41. D — A hot spot is the first stage of a blister. Covering it early with tape or moleskin and fixing wrinkled socks or loose laces prevents a blister that could slow you down far from camp.
  42. 42. A — A notched tag may stay in your pocket only while you are with the animal and able to produce the tag. If you leave the animal, for example at camp while you party hunt, you must attach the tag to it.
  43. 43. C — A beard is a tuft of coarse, hair-like feathers growing from the chest. Most gobblers and some hens have beards; spring seasons in Ontario and B.C. generally allow bearded turkeys only.
  44. 44. C — Loaded firearms are prohibited in or on a motorboat (a boat with an attached motor) and anything it tows. A loaded firearm may be carried in a paddled boat with no motor attached, with limited exceptions for waterfowl.
  45. 45. D — Ontario prohibits live decoys and electronic calls for wild turkey. Hand-operated calls are allowed.
  46. 46. A — Dog training and field trials on game species during the closed season require an authorization or licence from MNR. During the open season, an appropriate hunting licence is required.
  47. 47. B — The requirement to carry a PAL, minor's licence or CFSC report applies to hunting with a gun, including air or pellet guns. It does not apply to bow or crossbow hunters.
  48. 48. D — To buy licences and hunt, you must have completed the Ontario Hunter Education Course (with its exam) or hold an Ontario-recognized equivalent accreditation on file with the licensing service.
  49. 49. B — Permission is not permanent. Ask again each season, since the owner's plans, livestock or lease arrangements may have changed. The B.C. synopsis reminds hunters that one-time permission does not cover later visits unless stated.
  50. 50. B — Leapfrogging from one landmark on your bearing to the next keeps you on course around obstacles. Check the compass each time you reach the landmark.

Want timed mocks with scoring by topic? canadianlicensetest.com/practice/ontario-hunter-education