The Ultimate Guide to Gun & Hunting Licenses in Ontario

Whether you are inspired to hunt your own free-range meat, interested in sport shooting, or want to carry on a family tradition, the first steps are often the most daunting.

Navigating the licensing process in Ontario can be confusing because it involves two distinct layers of government. To simplify it, here is our breakdown. We cover how to get your Non-Restricted and Restricted Firearm Licenses (PAL/RPAL), how to obtain your Ontario Hunting License (Outdoors Card), and a summary of when you can hunt different species.

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Part 1: Getting Your Firearms License (PAL/RPAL)

Federal Jurisdiction – Overseen by the RCMP Canadian Firearms Program

In Canada, you need a license to possess or acquire a firearm. This license is called a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL). In Ontario, there are two primary classes for civilians: Non-Restricted and Restricted.

Step 1: Understand the Firearm Classes

• Non-Restricted (PAL): Includes most standard rifles and shotguns commonly used for hunting and target shooting. These have a specific minimum barrel length and are not semi-automatic with a very short barrel.
• Restricted (RPAL): Includes most handguns and some semi-automatic rifles that are defined as restricted by their barrel length or prescribed by regulation. Note: You generally cannot hunt with a restricted firearm in Canada; they are primarily for range use.

Step 2: Take the Mandatory Safety Courses

You cannot just apply for a license; you must prove you know how to handle a firearm safely.

1. For a Non-Restricted PAL: You must successfully complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC). This is usually a one-day course (approx. 8–10 hours) covering safe handling, transport, storage, and ammunition types. It includes a written and practical test.
2. For a Restricted PAL (RPAL): You must successfully complete both the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course (CRFSC). Many instructors offer these back-to-back over a weekend.

How to find a course: In Ontario, safety courses are administered by the Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO). You can search for certified instructors in your area on their website.

Step 3: Pass Your Tests & Wait for Results

At the end of your course, you will take a written multiple-choice exam and a hands-on practical exam (handling deactivated firearms). You must score at least 80% on both.

Once you pass, the FSESO will mail you your official results. This can take 4–6 weeks. You need these physical stamped results to apply for your license.

Step 4: Submit Your Application to the RCMP

Once you have your course results, you can fill out the application form (Form RCMP 5592 for first-time applicants). You will need:

• A specific passport-quality photo signed by a guarantor.
• Two references who have known you for at least three years.
• Your current spousal/conjugal partner information (or info from partners within the last two years).
• Payment for the licensing fee.

You can apply online or mail the physical form.

Step 5: The Waiting Period & Background Checks

Once the RCMP receives your application, there is a mandatory 28-day public safety waiting period before they can issue a new license. However, the actual processing time is often much longer (often 3 to 6 months), as the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of Ontario performs a thorough background check.

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Part 2: Getting Your Ontario Hunting License

Provincial Jurisdiction – Overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)

To hunt in Ontario, you need more than just a gun license. You must be accredited as a hunter by the province.

Step 1: Take the Ontario Hunter Education Program (OHEP)

Like the firearms license, the hunting license requires a course. The Ontario Hunter Education Program teaches you about:

• Hunting laws and regulations.
• Hunter responsibilities and ethics.
• Wildlife management.
• Wildlife identification.
• Hunting techniques and equipment safety.

Options: You can take this course in-person with an instructor or online through authorized providers like HUNTERcourse.com.

Step 2: Get Your Accreditation on File

Once you pass the OHEP course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion. You must bring this certificate to a participating ServiceOntario location to have your hunter accreditation added to your provincial client profile.

Step 3: Purchase Your Outdoors Card & Licenses

After your accreditation is on file, you can purchase the two essential items you need to be a legal hunter:

1. Ontario Outdoors Card: This is a plastic ID card (similar to a driver’s license) that holds all your hunting and fishing licenses. It is valid for three calendar years.
2. Hunting License Summary: Each year, you must purchase specific licensing “privileges” that are listed on your License Summary. For example, you can buy a 1-Year Small Game License or a 1-Year Deer License.

You can buy these online through the Hunt & Fish Ontario website, at ServiceOntario, or at private license issuers (like many sporting goods stores).

Step 4: Buy Tags (If Necessary)

For “Big Game” (Deer, Moose, Bear, Elk) and some special small game (Wild Turkey, Wolf/Coyote in some units), a general license isn’t enough. You also need a Tag.

• Some tags are available to buy directly.
• Some tags (like Moose and Elk) are allocated through a draw system, where you must apply by a certain deadline and wait to see if you are successful.

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Part 3: Ontario Hunting Seasons Summary

Knowing when you can hunt.

Hunting seasons in Ontario are highly segmented. There is no single “hunting season.” They vary based on:

1. The Species you want to hunt.
2. The Wildlife Management Unit (WMU): Ontario is divided into ninety-five WMUs, each with its own regulations.
3. The Method you are using (Bows, Muzzleloaders, Shotguns, or Rifles).

Below is a general summary. Always consult the current Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary before heading out.

Game Type	Primary Seasons (General Summary)	Key Notes
Small Game (Rabbits, Squirrels, Grouse)	Generally mid-September to mid-December/January.	Often the longest seasons.
Waterfowl (Ducks, Geese)	Generally early September to mid-December.	Dates are set federally but listed in Ontario summaries.
Wild Turkey	Spring: Late April to late May. Fall: Varying weeks in October.	Separate licenses/tags required for spring and fall.
White-Tailed Deer	Bow: Oct/Nov to mid-Dec. Gun: Specific one- or two-week periods in Nov/Dec.	Gun seasons vary dramatically by WMU; some offer controlled draws.
Black Bear	Spring: May 1 to June 15. Fall: Generally mid-Aug/Sept to late Oct.	Tags must be purchased.
Moose	Bow: Mid-Sept/Oct. Gun: One- or two-week periods in Oct/Nov.	Heavily restricted; requires winning a tag draw or hunting with an outfitter.
Wolf/Coyote	Generally year-round or Sept–May, depending on WMU.	Tags are required in specific Northern WMUs.