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ONTARIO HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM

 

Learn to Hunt in Ontario

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Get Your Ontario Hunter Education Certificate and Outdoors Card

Are you ready to become a licensed hunter in Ontario? The first step is to complete the Ontario Hunter Education Program (OHEP) — a mandatory course for all new hunters.

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What is the Ontario Hunter Education Program

The Ontario Hunter Education Program (OHEP) is a 7-hour in-class training course plus an examination. The course fee is $170 + HST.

Upon successful completion, you’ll receive your Ontario Hunter Education Certificate, which is required to apply for your Ontario Outdoors Card and purchase your first Ontario Hunting Licence.

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What You’ll Learn in the OHEP Course

The Ontario Hunter Education Course is designed to help new hunters become safe, responsible, and ethical participants in Ontario’s hunting traditions. Topics include:

  • Ontario hunting laws and regulations

  • Hunter responsibilities and ethics

  • Wildlife management and conservation

  • Safe hunting practices and equipment use

  • Hunting methods and techniques

  • Wildlife identification skills

  • This course also reinforces essential firearms safety principles covered in the Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC).

 

Who Must Take the Course?

All new hunters in Ontario must complete the Hunter Education training and pass the exam before they can legally purchase a hunting licence. You must be at least 12 years old to register for this course.  Whether you’re interested in bow hunting, waterfowl, or big game, this course is your legal first step toward safe and responsible hunting in Ontario.

 

Administered by Trusted Partners

The Ontario Hunter Education Program is delivered in partnership with:

  • The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH)

  • The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF)​

  • ​​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.  

 

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PAL Course in Ontario: Canadian Firearm Safety Course (CFSC)

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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.​

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Start your journey toward a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) with the mandatory CFSC training—required to legally own non‑restricted firearms (e.g. rifles, shotguns) in Canada. Serving York Region and Elmvale, our CFSC is RCMP‑approved and delivered with professionalism and expertise.    

 

Course Summary

  • Duration: 8‑hour instructional day plus written & practical examination

  • Pricing: $210 + HST

  • Provided By: Certified instructors accredited by Firearms Safety Education Service of Ontario (FSESO)

  • Intent: Learn firearms safety, legal responsibilities, ammunition types, actions & handling, transportation & storage

  • Eligibility: All ages can register; minors need parental consent and may receive a Minor’s Licence upon successful completion at the age of 12

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Get Your Outdoors Card

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CONGRATULATIONS ON SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING ONTARIO’S HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE AND EXAMINATION.

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WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

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Receiving your Certificate of Completion

  • 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.

     

  • 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.

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Lost your certificate?

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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.

     

  • 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​​​

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