Hunting is an important activity for people around the
world. For many, it is still an important method of food
gathering. For others, hunting is a recreational activity that
provides an opportunity to further friendships and family ties.
For most hunters it is also a chance to experience nature and
relax in the outdoors while making an important contribution to
conservation.
Regulating hunting
Strict laws regulate when, where, what and how a person can
hunt. In Ontario, each gun hunter must pass both the Canadian
Firearms Safety Course exam and the Ontario Hunter Education
Course exam. These education programs and regulations
contribute to a safe recreational activity.
Hunting and wildlife populations
Legal hunting does not endanger wildlife populations. In fact,
it can play an important role in maintaining an abundant
population within the carrying capacity of its habitat. Those
species that are hunted are managed sustainably. This
management is based on sound science and long-term monitoring.
The pressures on our wildlife populations today include habitat
fragmentation and destruction, pollution, invasive species and
unsustainable use.
The importance of hunting
Hunters contribute a great deal of time, money, and effort to
wildlife management. Hunters are involved in a variety of
volunteer programs that help maintain and enhance wildlife and
their habitat. In Ontario, the money from hunter licence fees
contributes to monitoring and protecting wildlife. The funds
raised with the Waterfowl Stamp on the federal Migratory Bird
Hunting Permit support habitat protection programs that benefit
all wildlife that depend on wetlands.
Hunter education
If you decide hunting in Ontario is for you, your first step is
to complete Ontario's Hunter Education Program. The program
covers topics such as firearm safety, hunting laws and wildlife
identification. The program is administered by the Ministry of
Natural Resources in partnership with the Ontario Federation of
Anglers and Hunters.
Outdoors Card and licences
The hunting version of the Ontario Outdoors Card proves a
person's eligibility to purchase hunting licences and tags.
To hunt in Ontario, most residents need a hunting version
Outdoors Card and the applicable licence tags or licences.
Ontario recognizes two types of resident hunters: gun hunters
and non-gun hunters.
-  Gun Hunting - The Class H1 Outdoors Card allows hunting
with all the methods permitted under the Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Act (guns, archery and falconry). To qualify for a
H1 Outdoors Card, the applicant must provide proof of passing
both the Ontario Hunter Education Course exam and the Canadian
Firearms Safety Course exam.
-  Non-Gun Hunting - The Class H2 Outdoors Card allows
hunting with all the methods permitted under the Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Act except guns (primarily archery and
falconry). To qualify for a H2 Outdoors Card, the applicant
must provide proof of passing the Ontario Hunter Education
Course exam.
Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program
Ontario's Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program offers practical
training for new hunters. Under this program hunters can safely
develop their hunting skills under the supervision of a
qualified mentor - a licensed and experienced hunter. Two
classes of Ontario Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Cards are
available - one for gun hunters and one for non-gun hunters.
Know the Regulations
Hunting regulations are in place to ensure your safety and the
well-being of others, wildlife and the environment. Each
spring, Ontario publishes a summary of the hunting regulations.
Hunters can get a copy of the Hunting Regulations Summary from
licence issuers, ServiceOntario offices or online. Each hunter
has a responsibility to read and understand the regulations
before hunting.
Information provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources. For more information go to www.mnr.gov.on.ca .          
