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HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Ontario Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program

 

The Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program allows new hunters to learn from an experienced mentor. It is designed to introduce young people to hunting and is open to Ontario residents who are 12 to 14 years old. To participate, you need to pass the Ontario Hunter Education Program, including the exam.

 

When you pass the course, you’ll receive a copy of the Ontario Hunter Education Examination Report. You will need to bring your copy to a participating Service Ontario location that provides hunting licence services to file your hunter accreditation with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. Once this is filed you must purchase an Outdoors Card, and then have the option of purchasing selected hunting licences and tags.

 

Hunter apprentices must:

  • carry their Outdoors Card with them while hunting

  • hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed mentor, 18 years or older, who holds an Outdoors Card, and a valid hunting licence for the game being hunted

  • share a firearm with their mentor and carry proof of firearm accreditation (if hunting with a gun)

  • share a bag limit with their mentor (unless the apprentice hunter has purchased their own hunting licences and tags, which allows the apprentice to hunt under their own bag limit)

    • Only select licences and tags that are not obtained through a draw are available to apprentice hunters, for example a small game licence, Wild Turkey Tag or antlered deer licence

 

Apprentices who choose to purchase their own licences and tags will have to fulfill the new mandatory hunter reporting requirements.

Apprentice hunters who do not wish to purchase their own licences and currently have a valid hunter apprenticeship safety card can continue to use this card until its expiry date.

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Who can participate

 

Ontario residents who are 12 to 14 years old and have:

  • passed the Ontario Hunter Education Program

  • passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and follow all federal firearm regulations while carry appropriate documentation (if hunting with a gun)

  • attested to the parental/guardian consent statement that a participating Service Ontario representative will read aloud and input into the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service

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Ontario's Hunter Apprenticeship allows individuals to safely develop hunting skills while under the direct and immediate supervision of a qualified mentor. There is two classes of Apprenticeship Cards.

 

A -"HEP"

 

  • "HEP" is for individuals between the age twelve (12) and fifteen (15) years of age for the purpose of hunting,

  • It is mandatory to complete (C.F.S.C.), (Non-Restricted Firearms Safety) course and test and also the Hunter Education Program course and test,

  • An Apprentice must share a sing firearm with a Mentor,

  • Apprenticeship is valid for up to three years and is not renewable.

 

A mentor is any person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older who is the holder of a valid firearms licence, and hunting licence to hunt the species of game being hunted.

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A2 - "MINOR"

 

"MINOR" is for individuals between the age fifteen (15) and eighteen (18) years of age for the purpose of target practice or hunting,

 

  • It is mandatory to complete (C.F.S.C.), (Non-Restricted Firearms Safety) course and test and also the Hunter Education Program course and test,

  • Upon completion of the Firearms Safety Course and Hunter Education  Program the Apprentice must apply to the Chief Provincial Firearms Office for a minor licence,

  • This will allow him/her to carry his/her own firearms.

 

A mentor is any person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older who is the holder of a valid firearms licence, and hunting licence to hunt the species of game being hunted.

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We support the HEP and MINOR Hunter Education Program

We Offer FREE course instruction for the youth's from the age of (12) to (17) years of age with our One-Stop Course.  Youths save $80.00.

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