This consultation closes at 11:59 p.m. on:
June 27, 2025
Proposal summary
We are seeking feedback on proposed changes to modernize fishing and hunting licence products and processes to support the development of Ontario’s new fishing and hunting licensing system.
Proposal details
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 (FWCA), and its regulations, provide the legal framework for the conservation and management of fish and wildlife in Ontario. The FWCA and its regulations set out the rules for hunting and fishing which includes licensing requirements.
Ontario is developing a new fishing and hunting licensing system as part of the ministry’s ongoing commitment to enhance service delivery to clients. The new licensing system is anticipated to be implemented in late 2026. As part of the development of Ontario’s new fishing and hunting licensing system, the ministry is considering changes to modernize licensing products and processes, improve client services, and ultimately support sustainable fish and wildlife management.
Client feedback has identified additional opportunities to modernize, simplify and enhance the licensing system. Ontarians have an expectation for access to modern, digital services that are integrated, client-centered, and available whenever and wherever clients need them.
The new fishing and hunting licensing system will have much of the same functionality as the current system but will have a new look and feel that aligns with broader government commitments to deliver simpler, faster and better services. Existing service channels (online, in-person (private issuer and ServiceOntario) and over the phone) will remain in place, along with paper-based options for those that want them.
To support the new licensing system the following changes are being proposed:
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Licensing Modernization
Mobile technology
- We are proposing to introduce a new fish and wildlife mobile application for clients to download free of charge. Many of the proposed features would be accessible even without Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- Hunters who want to carry their Outdoors Card digitally would be able to access it through the fish and wildlife mobile app. The plastic wallet-sized card would remain available for those who prefer it.
- Hunters who want to carry a digital licence summary would access it through the fish and wildlife mobile application instead of downloading a PDF file.
- The application would enhance the user experience for mobile phone users, allowing clients to:
- purchase and store their licence products (including Outdoors Card and licence summary), all in one convenient location;
- display licence products (including Outdoors Card, licence summary and tags) while the application is both online and offline;
- receive notifications for important dates (e.g., licence sales, draw deadlines, hunter reporting reminders);
- complete hunter reports;
- access hunting and fishing regulations; and
- apply to big game draws.
- This is intended to provide easier access to products, and increased convenience of carrying licence products in one place.
Hunter Accreditation
- We are proposing to enable the submission of hunter accreditation digitally through the licensing system to improve efficiency for clients.
Falconry Licences
- We are proposing to allow falconers to purchase their apprentice and general falconry licences through the new fishing and hunting licensing system.
- Eligibility requirements for a general falconry licence would change to allow issuance to a person if they held a general falconry licence or a commercial falconry licence in Ontario at any time (rather than only in the previous 5 years).
- Applicants for a general falconry licence would apply for their licence to the ministry and, if eligible, would be able to purchase their general falconry licence annually through the licensing system.
- The general and apprentice falconry licences would be listed as line items on a client’s licence summary rather than separate licence documents.
- General and apprentice falconry licence holders would be required to submit their annual report online through the licensing system by December 31st of the year in which the raptors were kept (instead of the current requirement of January 31 the year following). Submission of the annual report would be required before a subsequent general or apprentice falconry licence could be purchased.
- This modernization is intended to improve client service and create a single channel for clients to purchase their general or apprentice falconry licence along with other required hunting products (e.g., small game licence).
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Game Tag Modernization
- We are proposing to provide hunters the option to carry a tag in a digital format.
- Digital tags would be downloaded and carried through the new fish and wildlife mobile application and would function with or without network connectivity.
- Hunters would decide whether they want to carry a digital tag or paper tag for each individual tag they obtain. Hunters would be required to choose one or the other.
- Hunters would be required to carry the digital tag with them when hunting and would be required to digitally invalidate their tag consistent with the current rules (i.e., immediately at the site of the kill). Invalidation would automatically record date and time information instead of having to “notch” a tag. Once the tag is invalidated in the mobile application a confirmation code would be generated, and the invalidation would be automatically communicated to the licensing system.
- If a hunter using a digital tag is no longer accompanying their harvested animal, they would be required to write down information (e.g., name and confirmation code) on material and attach it to the animal in accordance with the tagging instructions. Hunters would be responsible for carrying the necessary materials with them while hunting.
- Hunters would be responsible for carrying their mobile device in a charged state and for carrying their digital tag on their own mobile device. Hunters cannot possess another person’s tag.
- The proposed change responds to the interests of some clients in allowing greater use of technology, addresses some hunter concerns with printing or paper tag durability, and aligns with government commitments to provide more modern and digital services.
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Moose and Black Bear Outfitter Modernization
- We are proposing to develop an ‘outfitter portal’ in the new licensing system that moose tourist outfitters and licensed black bear operators could access to improve service.
- The outfitter portal would allow outfitters and operators to digitally manage their own assigned quota of tags or validation certificates, renew and pay annual licence associated fees (bear only), issue tags or validation certificates to their clients, manage client records and submit hunter reports completed by the hunter online through their account in the outfitter portal.
- The outfitter portal would create efficiencies for outfitters/operators and their clients, reduce reliance on paper-based processes and the need to visit/connect with MNR offices for routine transactions, and is responsive to increasing interest from some outfitters and operators in digital options for products and processes.
- The outfitter portal will make most aspects of moose and bear tourism industry administration digital. This would include:
- Moose tourist outfitters issuing digital registered guest forms (required by guests of moose tourist outfitters) through the portal that clients can print or download to their mobile device.
- Black bear operators issuing digital black bear validation certificates through the portal to non-resident clients, who can print or download to their mobile device.
- MNR issuing the licence to provide bear hunting services to bear operators through the portal.
- The ministry would work with outfitters/operators to provide training and provide time for them to become familiar with the system prior to its use being required. During this transition period, outfitters and operators will still be able to use the current paper-based approach.
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Other Licence Streamlining Opportunities
- We are proposing to eliminate the requirement for a licence to hunt fox by a fox hunt club. The ministry issues very few of these licences in the province. Removal of this licence would reduce burdens and streamline licensing processes. Individuals wanting to hunt fox would obtain an outdoors card and small game licence to hunt fox during the open season or could run dogs on scent.
We are proposing to amend regulations under the FWCA to implement the proposal. No further opportunity for comments will be provided.
Regulatory impact analysis
The environmental consequences of the proposal are anticipated to be neutral. The changes primarily relate to the digital administration of fishing and hunting licences and tags and do not reduce any requirements for persons to possess the appropriate licences or tags while fishing and hunting. The proposed changes to allow for a digital tag option are intended to improve client convenience while not increasing risks to the resource.
The socio-economic consequences of the proposal are expected to be neutral to positive. The proposed changes will enhance existing services and introduce new, more modern digital services for clients. The proposed changes provide clients with additional flexibility, streamline licence purchases, and make accessing services more convenient. Existing alternative service channels (in-person (private issuer and ServiceOntario) and over the phone) will remain in place, along with paper-based options for those clients that prefer them.
Moose and Black Bear Outfitter Modernization would introduce new administrative costs on regulated entities associated with learning about the new licensing system and how to conduct their business in the new outfitter portal. It could also potentially introduce new operating costs to a limited number of outfitters associated with technology updates to support interacting with the outfitter portal. New one-off costs may be offset by annual cost-savings related to efficiencies in administering their business. The ministry would appreciate feedback from outfitters on any potential impacts to their business associated with using the new outfitter portal.
Supporting materials
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300 Water Street
5th Floor, North tower
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
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Public Input Coordinator
300 Water Street
5th Floor, North tower
Peterborough,
ON
K9J 3C7
Canada
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Contact
Public Input Coordinator
300 Water Street
5th Floor, North tower
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3C7
Canada