Ontario boasts one of the most expansive and regulated white‑tailed deer hunting programs in North America.
For 2025, the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary is the definitive source for open seasons, legal firearms, licensing, and disease management.. This guide dives deeper—offering clearer navigation, a hunting strategy perspective, and expert wildlife context.
2025 Open Seasons by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU)
If you’re planning a deer hunt in Ontario, it’s important to know that the deer season calendar varies by WMU. Below is a structured summary of open seasons for rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders, and bows.
A. Resident Seasons
- WMUs 1C, 16A–C, 17
September 20 – December 15 - WMUs 2, 3, 4, 5, 11B, 13, 14, 15A–B, 18A–B, 19, 21A
October 11 – December 15 - WMUs 6, 7B, 8, 9A–B, 11A, 12A–B
October 11 – December 15 - WMU 10 & 21B
October/November 11 – December 15 (with slight date variations) - WMUs 22–24, 27, 30, 33–34
October 11 – November 15 - WMU 25
September 20 – December 15 - WMU 26
September 20 – October 31 - WMUs 28–75 (various)
November 3 – November 16 or 17–23 depending on WMU - WMU 45, 82A–B, 83A, 84
November 3 – November 9 or November 8 – 16
B. Non‑Resident Seasons
Non‑resident hunters may face shorter seasons in selected WMUs:
- WMUs 6, 7B, 8, 9A–B, 11A, 12A–B – ends November 15
- WMU 10 & 21B – ends November 15
- WMUs 22–24, 27, 30, 33–34 – November 13–15
- Other WMUs in November windows vary similarly
C. Muzzle‑Loading & Bow‑Only Seasons
- Bow-only: WMUs 2–4, 11B, 13–15, 19, 21A, 25, 6–9, 10, 12A–B, others with specific early/late windows OntarioOntario
- Muzzle-loading: WMU‑specific, typically early October and early December slots in select units
D. Controlled Deer Hunts (CDH)
CDH units operate under draw-validation; seasons typically span early November or December, depending on unit and weapon type permitted (often bows and muzzle loaders; some allow rifles/shotguns).
Licensing & Fees
- Outdoors Card (required before any licence): ~$8.57
- Resident deer licence / additional tag: $43.86
- Non-resident deer licence / tag: ~$240.81
- Dog licence (if hunting with dogs): Resident $12.21, Non-resident $15.21
- Mandatory hunter reporting deadlines: e.g. antlerless draw results – June 30; CDH validation – July 31; report by January 14, 2026
Key Regulation Highlights
A. General Regulations
- All hunters during gun seasons must wear hunter orange covering ≥ 400 sq inches above the waist, visible from all sides; includes both garment and head cover
- Firearm restrictions: Certain WMUs prohibit rifles or restrict shot types (e.g. WMU 7A prohibits centre-fire rifle or shot > #2 lead during Aug 15–Dec 15)
- Municipal bylaws and Sunday restrictions: Sunday gun hunting only permitted north of French & Mattawa Rivers, with select exceptions south of these rivers in specific municipalities
- Vehicles, trails, drones, use of dogs, trespass rules: Strict oversight; WMU‑specific restrictions on dogs and vehicles
B. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management
Ontario monitors CWD risk through GPS‑collared deer; adaptively manages antlerless harvest draws to address disease spread potential Illegal tagging or unlicensed harvest carries severe fines (e.g. $2,000 fine and draw bar for multiple violations)
Hunter Strategy & Best Practices
- Plan by WMU: Tools like the deer season map allow choosing dates by unit online or print from Ontario.ca
- Scout early and understand weather patterns: Target rut periods in late October–November depending on your WMU zone
- Practice safety and compliance: Ensure proper hunter orange, legal firearm limits and valid tags; report harvest on time
- Balance harvest: Antlerless draws are regulated to support CWD monitoring and sustainable population levels
Wildlife Biology Insights (Authority & Engagement)
- Population ecology: Ontario’s white-tailed deer are managed under adaptive harvest systems since 1980, balancing ecological, social, and economic considerations
- Biological traits: Did you know deer are dichromatic and poorly distinguish hunter orange? That’s why orange remains a high-visibility safety standard
- Ecological roles and concerns: Deer browsing influences understory vegetation dynamics; overabundance can drive exotic plant encroachment and affect biodiversity
Quick Reference Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Licences | Outdoors Card required ($8.57), deer licence (resident ~$43.86, non-resident ~$240.81) |
| Season maps | Interactive online WMU map on Ontario.ca |
| Mandatory gear | Hunter orange garment & head cover during gun seasons |
| Weapon rules | Specific to WMU—rifle restrictions, shotgun plugs, muzzle-loader, bow-only spans |
| Reporting | Antlerless draws due June 30; CDH validation by July 31; hunter report by January 14, 2026 |
| CWD monitoring | GPS collaring study, selective antlerless draws, illegal hunting enforcement |
| Safety & compliance | Firearm handling laws, by-laws, trespass and trail restrictions |