ONTARIO HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
STEP 1
Learn To Hunt
Responsible hunters support the many rules that have been established to ensure that our wildlife populations are sustained and that huntings remains a safe activity. The OHEP is an 7 hour course plus examination $170 plus HST.
Completing the Ontario Hunter Education Program (OHEP) allows you to apply for an Ontario Hunting Licence (the Outdoors Card).
The Ontario Hunter Education Program will assist you to understand the natural world and become a knowledgeable and responsible hunter. The Ontario Hunter Education Course will teach new hunters about:
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hunting laws and regulations
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hunter responsibilities
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wildlife management
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hunting safety and equipment
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hunting techniques
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wildlife identification
The program also reinforces the firearms safety information contained in the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. New hunters of all ages must take hunter education training and pass an exam before they can purchase their first hunting licence.
The Ontario Hunter Education Program is administered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. In 1960, Ontario became the first Canadian province to establish a mandatory Hunter Education course that included training on safe and responsible hunting. More than one million individuals have successfully completed hunter education training.
STEP 2
Obtain My PAL (CFSC)
If you want to hunt with a firearm, you’ll need to complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and apply for your Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL). You can do this before or after taking the Hunting Course.
STEP 3
Get Your Outdoors Card
CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING ONTARIO’S HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE AND EXAMINATION.
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Receiving your Certificate of Completion
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If you provided a valid email address when signing up for your Ontario hunter education course, you will receive your Certificate of Completion via email. Please allow at least 48 hours from the time your course is completed to receive your email/certificate.
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If you did not provide an email address when registering for your course, you will need to follow up with your instructor to obtain a copy of your Certificate of Completion.
Lost your certificate?
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Please contact OHEP – 705-748-5785 or email administrator@ohep.net
To purchase your first hunting licence in Ontario
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Your hunter accreditation must be on file with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. You can do this in person by taking your printed Certificate of Completion to a participating ServiceOntario location that offers Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF) services nearest you.
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A list of participating ServiceOntario locations can be found online at www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario-locations-hours-and-contact
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Once the hunting accreditation has been added to your account you can purchase hunting licences and enter big game draws:
a. Online at www.huntandfishontario.com;
b. Through a licence issuer; or
c. At a participating ServiceOntario location.
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The Firearms Act (Canada) sets out the requirements for firearm possession. www.rcmpgrc.gc.ca/en/firearms. To hunt with a gun in Ontario, you are required to carry proof of your firearms accreditation under the Firearms Act (Canada). This includes apprentice hunters (12–14-year-old residents) who cannot yet obtain a firearms license. In this case, they must carry proof of completing the Canadian Firearms Safety Course.
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All hunters including apprentices must adhere to the conditions outlined in Ontario’s Hunting Regulations Summary which you should have received from your instructor. A copy of the summary can also be found online at ontario.ca/hunting or from license issuers and participating ServiceOntario locations. For more information about your Outdoors Card or hunting/fishing license, contact Natural Resources Information and Support Centre (NRISC) at 1-800-387-7011 or nrisc@ontario.ca