Deer Hunting Season in Ontario (2025 Guide)

When Is Deer Season in Ontario?

Are you eagerly waiting for deer season in Ontario? It’s the most awaited time of the year for hunting enthusiasts. Every hunter around Canada wants a white-tail deer trophy in their lounge. The deer hunting season in Ontario begins in October until December. During this time different Wildlife Management Units (WMU) open windows for hunting. The time brackets not only vary by Wildlife Management Units but also by allowed weapon and residents/non-residents criteria. This is because you can pick up the area of choice. Get prepared and arrive at the destination on matching dates. You will have a refreshing hunting experience.

WMU (Wildlife Management Unit) Season Dates

Hold your horses! We will start the blog with a detailed table outlining the season dates by the wildlife management unit. You can explore the map to check which area comes under the WMU. You can select the desired area, pack up and reach the destination on corresponding dates for a reinvigorating hunting experience.

You can go hunting with rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loading guns and bows in these WMUs.

Here are some additional points to note. Some of the WMU have special requirements for hunters.

• [1] Rifles are not permitted during both resident and non-resident open seasons.
• Use of dogs is prohibited in WMUs 5, 8, 10, 43A, 43B, 44, 45, 65, 71, 72A, 73, 75, 82A, 82B, 83A, and 84.
• Written permission from the landowner is required for hunting on private property in WMUs 43A, 43B, and 44.
• WMUs 82C, 83B, 83C, and 93C have special deer seasons and administrative rules. Please contact the local ministry work centre for further details.

Everything About Hunting Licence & Tags

The Ontario government issues resident and non-resident hunting licences. There are certain requirements to fulfill before purchasing a hunting license. You can apply and purchase a hunting licence online (Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service), on phone (1-800-288-1155), or in person from a licence issuer.

Resident vs Non-Resident Licences

The resident and non-resident licences have different fees and hunting dates. The Ontario government prioritizes resident licences in terms of perks and hunting time. Anyone who has primary residence in Ontario or who has been living in Ontario for at least 6 consecutive months can apply for resident licence. All other individuals will be issued non-resident licences.

Hunter Accreditation

A pre-requisite to apply for a hunting licence is to have a hunter accreditation from a recognized body. You need to complete Ontario’s Hunter Education Course or equivalent. If you’re a non-resident, you need to show accreditation from your state’s recognized body. You can explore the educational requirements of different states here: hunting licence (non-residents).

Note: Hunters under 16 years of age are required to produce a parental consent to apply for the licence.

Gun Licence Requirement

Since the hunters will have firearms at their disposal, they must comply with the regulations provided in Firearms Act (Canada). You are required to carry evidence of accreditation of firearms. Plus, you must also have:

• Valid possession and acquisition licence
• Valid minor’s licence
• Replica of a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC).

The absence of any document is going to be regarded as the breach of the rules and result in legal acts. The non resident will be required to bring along a Non-Resident Customs Declaration form (RCMP 5589).

Outdoor Card & Licence Summary

After you fulfill all the requirements and obtain a hunting licence, you will be issued an outdoor card. You are required to carry the card while on the hunt. The card is valid for three years without the need of renewal in the period. The hunting licenses are printed on the back of the card.

The licence summary is another document outlining all the licences you have purchased. It also mentions the expiry date of each licence. Since, the outdoor card is issued once, you are required to carry the licence summary. It helps authorities to ensure that you are allowed to hunt in the season.

Explore Tag types

You are issued some tags to record and report the harvest during hunting season. It’s a critical part of the sport and you’re legally bound to ensure their use. There are different types of tags like antlered tags for the harvest of a male deer or moose with visible antlers. Similarly, antlerless tags for the harvest of a female deer (doe) or a male without antlers. The controlled tags are issued for specific WMUs, dates, and conditions.

Some Universal Hunting Rules

There are certain hunting rules that you must follow at all costs. These rules are designed for the safety of hunters. If you want to enjoy the sports and avoid getting in legal trouble, ensure compliance to these rules.

Legal Weapons by Season

The WMUs separate time periods of hunting by weapon type. Precisely, there are specific weapons that can be used during hunting within a definite timeline. Most hunters call the time periods by the type of weapon they are permitted to hunt with. One such example is when bows and crossbows are allowed to hunt, it’s Archery Season. The following are the hunting seasons by weapon type:

• Archery Season: This is the only season when you can use bows and crossbows.
• Firearms Season: Rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders are the only firearms used.
• Muzzleloader Season: This is a season when only black powder guns or muzzleloading rifles can be used.

The use of unauthorized means of firearms during the current hunting season is an outrageous infraction of regulations. You will incur harsh results such as loss of licence to hunt, heavy fines and legal actions. Funtastic laws: laws to abide by in fun hunting.

Hunter Outfit

Every hunter must have an orange outfit so that they can be seen and distinguished. It must contain a good blaze orange vest/ jacket and a blaze orange hat. The patterns of orange camouflage are not factored into the necessary clothing. The garment enables the police to identify the hunters and differentiate them from the locals. Other outfits are only allowed during archery season.

It is the requirement to wear at least 400 square inches of Hunter Orange outfit on the upper body. The uniforms prevent hunting accidents. It is enforced by law in Ontario and failure to comply may attract fines and hunting rights can be revoked. Do you ask yourself whether the color bright orange can cause the hunters to be seen by the animals? This is not so since the animals have different perceptions of color.

Land Use

Hunting is only allowed in the land area under the WMU you have a licence for. The land allowed for hunting is often called crown land. It’s where hunting is permitted by law. In Ontario, there is a vast majority of private lands. You can use the private land for hunting but with the permission of the landowner. The licence requirement for the private land is the same.

Be a responsible hunter and do justice with sport. Try not to hunt in areas restricted by local municipalities even if under the WMU. Always avoid going into the areas with clear signs of “No Hunting” or “Private Land.”

Expert Tips for the Best Hunting Strategy

We took aboard seasoned hunters to get expert tips for a fulfilling hunting experience. Whichever season you opt for the sport, we’ve got you covered! Prepare your gear and get ready for a different hunting adventure.

Archery Season

You can enjoy the archery season if you reach the hunting point early. The best time to hunt with crossbows is when the woods are quiet. The deers are in their natural habitat and not bothered by the hunting season pressure. All you need is practice to get close without being noticed and hit your trophy. Once guns start banging, it will be hard to hunt with a crossbow or bow.

Rifle Season

The rifle season feels more like a competition. There are many hunters on the ground all eyeing for the best trophy. The deers become very fast-moving and alert. It’s the time when animals have the most pressure. The best way to hunt in these times is finding escape routes. Go and set up your camps where pressured deer are most likely to come for refuge.

Muzzleloader Season

Muzzleloader season is not for everyone. It’s the time when tough hunters compete. The fields are usually empty due to cold temperatures. You can expect snow during the muzzleloader season. The animals are not very active but you need to practice firing and loading. The pressure affects the aim but practice can make it perfect.

The Hunting Essentials

To have a good time hunting, one needs proper gear. The equipment is supposed to keep you safe and offer you the necessary support in the hunting process. These are the things you need to pack in order to smoothly navigate on your hunting trip.

What You Should Wear?

Get yourself an orange outfit in the hunting season as per the rules. It must also have a hat and a vest. Moreover, make sure that you have sufficient layers to address the weather. The garments do not have to be noisy and must be odorless. Try to have all-purpose boots. Hunting takes you through various types of terrain such as muddy, rocky and dry.

What Equipment Should You Carry?

There’s a range of hunting equipment critical for a smooth experience. The first and foremost is to carry your weapon of choice with all the accessories and ammo. You must also have binoculars or rangefinder to keep everything in sight. Also, include a sharp knife & field dressing kit in your equipment. A hunter without a knife isn't a hunter. Last but not the least is to have a backpack with water, snacks, and a first aid kit.

How to Navigate in the Wild?

Hunting today is unimaginable without proper navigation and communication. Always keep a GPS or map/compass with you. The phone signals are not reliable in the wild and often lost. It’s recommended to have a two-way radio but a phone will also work for emergencies. The night can fall upon you anytime because hunting keeps the hunter busy. You should also have a headlamp or flashlight with spare batteries.

What are the Sources of Power?

Hunting is not a one day game. And in the wild it can take days to hunt your favorite trophy. What do you do to charge your phone or GPS? What in case you need a hot cup of coffee? You just need to have a portable power solution and it can all happen. This small comfort is capable of yielding great results in your hunting tour. You will always be ready to act and go hunt a beautiful animal.

You need a power source that is safe and affordable to go hunting in Ontario, we have the best suggestions. The BLUETTI AC200L and the BLUETTI Elite V2. They will turn out to be a game changer to your hunting adventure.

BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station

The best portable power station hunters should have is the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2. It is small, lightweight and portable. The station has 2,073.6Wh (non-expandable) capacity. You just need to power up the necessary appliances such as coffee machines and charge your most important devices. The sophisticated LiFePO 4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery packs are durable and long-lasting.

It is easy to charge the power station with AC Fast Charge (1,800W) and go 0-80% in 1 hour and full in 1.1 hours. You can use solar Input (1,000W Max) to recharge in 2.4 hours. The car charging (12V/24V) is also supported.

It is capable of supporting 9 devices through (AC, DC, USB-C/A, car ports). It can operate coffee machines, fridges, drones, etc. It can be stored in your car because it was designed to be shock resistant and silent (16 dB at low output).

BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station

The BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station is the one-of-a-kind power station for hunting enthusiasts. The power station has 2,048Wh (Expandable up to 7,577.6Wh with 2*B300K). You can carry the power of an entire household with you. It’s the best power station for base camps. You can power essential appliances and recharge devices.

The device offers robust power output of 2,400W for all appliances. It has a quiet operation designed for hunting. You can connect up to 11 devices at once. The power station has fast recharging enabled with solar and car recharge options.

How to Report A Hunt

Hunting is a great sport but it also comes with great responsibility. We should never disturb nature or the habitat of the area with excess hunting. Therefore, the government has set out some rules for control and effective management. You have the right to hunt, but hunt responsibly.

The harvest has the following few reporting requirements. You must fulfill the requirements while enjoying your hunt.

1. When you are hunting an animal, you need to carry with you the valid tag. The tag is issued along with your licence.
2. As soon as you have hunted an animal, fill out the tag. The information consists of the date, time, and place (WMU).
3. Fix the approved tag to the animal. Make sure it is safe because it may be misplaced when being transported.
4. You are also expected to post the hunt online. Visit the fish and wildlife website to report the hunt.
5. Avoid delays in reporting. Not reporting a hunt can result in a fine or prosecution.
6. The reporting system is geared towards the conservation of nature. The number of licences to issue is also determined by it.

Here are the recommended tagging instructions by the Ontario authorities:

Conclusion

That’s all folks! It's a good time to prepare for this hunting season. Get your documents ready and apply for the licence in your required category. Remember to review the new laws of 2025 to ensure that you face no legal complications. You may go by our professional tips to plan the adventure. Make sure that you adhere to every rule and regulation to have a good time. Hope you have a good deer-shoot!

The BLUETTI portable power station product line can bring your hunting experience to the next level. It will give you complete energy independence. Plug in and leave on your equipment and appliances. Take a look at our suggestion; go happy hunting!