Ontario’s Licence System For Hunters

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Ontario’s New System For Entering Big Game Draws

Ontario has made some changes to the way hunters can apply to draws for deer, moose and elk:
Ways to Enter Draws

Online: Ontario hunters can now enter the draws through the Internet at ontario.ca/outdoorscard.

By Phone: Hunters also have the option of using the automated phone system, as in previous years.

ServiceOntario: Paper draw entries are also available, but must be picked up and dropped of at any of the 69 ServiceOntario centres that sell hunting licences. For locations, visit ontario.ca/outdoorscard.

It is important to note that mail-in applications will no longer be accepted.
Draw Deadlines

Antlerless Deer Draw: open from March 1 to July 3. Results of the antlerless deer validation tag draw will be available starting August 8.

Moose Draw: open April 18 to May 31. Results of the moose validation tag draw will be available August 1.

Elk Draw: open May 1 to June 11. Results of the elk validation tag draw will be available August 2.

Controlled Deer Hunt Draw: open August 1 to August 31. Results of the controlled deer hunt draw will be available October 10.

Draw results will be available by phone at 1-800-288-1155 and online at ontario.ca/outdoorscard.
Validation Tags

Big-game draws are used to randomly distribute hunting opportunities throughout the province in the form of validation tags.

The number of validation tags available each year is based on sustaining the species. For instance, if the population is high in any given area, the number of validation tags can be increased to help manage the herd.

As always, hunters’ chances of getting a validation tag are the same regardless of how they apply. The random draw is computerized, without preference for the method of entry.

Validation tags will be mailed to successful hunters —

About Peter Wood 1194 Articles
As an avid lifelong angler and hunter, Peter’s outdoor knowledge and experiences keep expanding through his hundreds of hours of hunting and fishing podcast interviews with like minded experts. He has received numerous national writing awards. With thousands of outdoor pictures on Ripple Outdoors and many full-length articles with outdoor magazine and video clips you might say that he not only enjoys his outdoor lifestyle, but he’s quite the fanatic! In 2015 he earned fifth overall on the King of the Wood Contest hosted by Canada In The Rough team, pretty good for a baby boomer deer hunter. His buck was also one of the top bucks taken that season. Through Peter’s deer hunting seminars or by attending outdoor trade shows, like the Toronto Sportsmen Show and The SWOC Big Buck Show, he has connected with thousands of like minded people that love hunting and fishing. As a volunteer or member of local and national outdoor groups like QDMA, SWOC, Outdoor Writers of Canada, Archery Trade Show Association he continues to learn and hone his craft. Read his many articles, listen to his podcasts and rifle through thousands of photos on Ripple Outdoors. Discover Peter’s latest posts about outdoor gear, destinations, how to articles and interviews and you’ll be a better angler and hunter for the experience.