HUNTING SEASONS IN ONTARIO, CANADA 2025–26: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide

Plan your 2025–26 Ontario hunt with our province‑by‑province guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species: Whitetail Deer, Moose, Ducks and more. Ontario’s mix of temperate forests, Great Lakes shorelines and northern boreal zones provides premier hunting terrain. The province’s vast whitetail deer and moose populations, combined with world‑class waterfowl staging areas, attract hunters across 49 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). Popular pursuits include archery and rifle deer seasons, moose draw tag hunts in the north, spring and fall duck excursions and black bear harvesting—under Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regulations and WMU‑specific rules. What Is There to Hunt in Ontario? Big Game: Whitetail deer, moose, black bear Small Game & Upland Birds: Ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, snowshoe hare, wild turkey Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks, geese, swans, dove (federal permit required) Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, fox, beaver, marten, muskrat Ontario’s varied ecosystems deliver year‑round opportunity—from early‑season spring bear to late‑fall waterfowl wingshooting. What Animals Can You Hunt Year‑Round in Ontario? Unprotected species (coyote, fox) may be harvested year‑round on private land with landowner consent. Public‑land predator control outside open seasons requires a Fur‑Harvest Licence and must follow WMU restrictions. Ontario Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery: Sep 19 – Oct 23 Rifle/Muzzleloader: Oct 16 – Dec 7 Tags: One tag per licence; antler‑point restrictions in select WMUs Moose Rifle: Sep 15 – Sep 30 (northern WMUs) Draw only; applications Feb 1 – Mar 1, 2025 Black Bear Spring: May 1 – Jun 30 Fall: Sep 2 – Oct 15 Tags: One tag per hunter; cub harvest prohibited; hound restrictions in some WMUs Note: Detailed WMU calendars, quotas and weapon‑type restrictions are published annually by Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Ontario Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Birds & Small Game: Ruffed/Spruce Grouse: Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 5) Snowshoe Hare: Sep 1 – Mar 31 (daily limit 3) Wild Turkey: Apr 1 – May 15; Sep 1 – Dec 31 (daily limit 1; spring draw) Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks & Geese: Sep 1 – Dec 15; Jan 1 – Jan 15 (daily limit 5 ducks; 5 geese) Mourning Dove: Sep 1 – Nov 30 (daily limit 15) Requirements: Federal Migratory Game Bird Permit & Habitat Conservation Stamp Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered or antlerless per season Moose: 1 per draw tag Black Bear: 1 per season (no cubs) Wild Turkey: 1 per licence period Grouse (all spp.): 5 daily; possession 10 Snowshoe Hare: 3 daily; possession 6 Ducks/Geese: 5 daily; possession 15 Mourning Dove: 15 daily; possession 45 Coyote/Fox: no limit private; Fur‑Harvest Licence required public License & Tags Information for Ontario Hunters (2025–26) Resident Outdoors Card: $35 (annual); includes one deer tag; big‑game tags $15/species Non‑Resident Licence: $150 (annual); tags $45/species; moose draw fee $25 Additional Permits: Fur‑Harvest Licence (free; required) Spring Turkey draw (applications Mar 1 – 15, 2025) Hunter Education: Mandatory Ontario Hunter Education Certificate or equivalent. Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Bow: Compound, recurve, longbow; crossbows allowed only under special permit; broadhead cut ≥ 7/8″. Rifle: Centrefire ≥ .24 cal; straight‑wall handguns prohibited; shotguns with slugs permitted. Muzzleloader: .40 cal+ patched ball or conical bullet; approved ignition systems only; single‑projectile conversions. Regulations & Resources Shooting Hours: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset WMU Maps & Calendars: Available from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Harvest Reporting: Mandatory within 24 hours via online portal or phone Special Areas: Provincial parks and conservation reserves require separate access permits Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and licence requirements on the official Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary With clear season dates, zone‑specific bag limits and complete licence details, you’re ready to plan your 2025–26 Ontario hunt. Prepare thoroughly and immerse yourself in Ontario’s diverse wildlife heritage.