Hunters provide information on hunter activity and harvest in several different ways depending on the species of wildlife and type of hunt.
All information hunters provide is important and is used to help:
- monitor and sustain wildlife populations,
- set harvest quotas and determine availability of additional game seals
- develop regulation proposals such as changes to seasons and bag limits, and
- inform management policies.
Hunters understand that it is in their best interest to accurately report their hunting activities and harvest because the information helps determine future hunting opportunities.
For some species or hunting seasons reporting or registration (e.g, check stations) is voluntary and for others it is required by law. The specific reporting programs and requirements are described below, along with the harvest results where available.
The ongoing contributions of hunters to wildlife management is appreciated and we are working to improve the collection and availability of harvest results.
Requirements
Species and hunts for which hunter or harvest reporting is mandatory | |||
| Species | Description | Mandatory Reporting Timeline | Form or Worksheet |
| Black Bear | Residents – Mandatory reporting of hunting activities and harvest by black bear licence holders. | By December 15 in the year of the hunt | Questionnaire mailed to hunters and can be returned by mail or completed online.
|
| Non-residents – Mandatory reporting of hunting activities and harvest. Mandatory report on the pink copy of the Non-Resident Black Bear Hunting Licence Validation Certificate. | By November 30 in the year of the hunt | Available from issuer of the Certificate (operator licenced to provide bear hunting services or MNR office). | |
| Deer (Controlled Hunt) | Mandatory reporting by permit or validation tag holders. | Following receipt of questionnaire | Questionnaire mailed to hunters and can be returned by mail or completed online. |
| Elk | Mandatory reporting of hunting activities and harvest by elk seal holders. | Within 14 days following the last day of the hunt | Questionnaire mailed to hunters. (PDF, 100 kb) |
| Moose (in controlled calf harvest WMUs 48, 55A, 55B and 57) | Mandatory registration (i.e. at a check station) of harvested moose by validation tag holders, and mandatory reporting by validation tag holders. | Registration (check in) – within 48 hours of the end of the last day of the hunt Reporting – within 14 days following the last day of the hunt | Questionnaire mailed to hunters. |
| Moose (WMU 65) | Mandatory reporting by WMU 65 validation tag holders. | Within 14 days following the last day of the hunt | Questionnaire mailed to hunters. |
| Snapping Turtle | Mandatory reporting by any individual who harvests a snapping turtle. | Within 14 days of the end of the calendar year in which the snapping turtle was killed or captured. | Mandatory Questionnaire for Snapping Turtle Harvest (PDF, 88 kb) Complete questionnaire and return by mail. |
| Wild Turkey | Mandatory reporting of harvested turkeys by successful turkey hunters. Call toll-free 1-800-288-1155 to report. | No later than 12:00 noon the day after the bird was harvested | Wild Turkey Harvest Report Worksheet (worksheet also found in Hunting Regulation Summary) |
| Wolf/Coyote | Mandatory reporting by wolf/coyote game seal holders. | On or before January 15 of the year following the issue of the seal | Questionnaire mailed to hunters and can be returned by mail or completed online. |
Species and hunts for which hunter and/or harvest reporting is voluntary | |||
| Species | Description | Reporting Timeline | Form or Worksheet |
| Deer | Voluntary postcard survey mailed to a random sample of deer licence holders. Only hunters that receive a questionnaire in the mail are asked to participate. | Postcard questionnaire mailed beginning in November and survey ends in April | Questionnaire mailed to hunters and can be returned by mail or completed online. |
| Moose | Voluntary postcard survey mailed to a random sample of moose licence holders. Only hunters that receive a questionnaire in the mail are asked to participate. | Postcard questionnaire mailed beginning in November and survey ends in April | Questionnaire mailed to hunters and can be returned by mail or completed online. |
Results
Taken over time harvest results can provide an index of game wildlife populations. Hunter and harvest surveys are one of the more cost effective methods for tracking game wildlife population trends and can be used to gather information on other species such as non-game wildlife. However, there are certain assumptions and potential biases for hunter and harvest surveys depending on the methods used, response rate and other factors. The harvest results presented below are estimates and therefore have an associated error that isn't shown here.
Wild Turkey
- Wild Turkey Harvest in Ontario by WMU 2008-2012 (PDF, 108 kb)
- Spring and Fall Wild Turkey Hunting Season Licence Sales 2006-2010 (PDF, 17 kb)
Moose
- Estimates of Resident Moose Hunting Activity and Harvest in Ontario 2006-2012
- Estimated Resident Moose Hunting Activity and Harvest by Wildlife Management Unit 2006-2012 (PDF, 263 kb)
Deer
- Estimates of Resident Deer Hunting Activity and Harvest in Ontario 2008-2012
- Estimated Resident Deer Hunting Activity and Harvest by Wildlife Management Unit 2008-2012 (PDF, 277 kb)
Elk
- 2011 Elk Harvest Results by Elk Harvest Area (PDF, 25 kb)
Black Bear
- Black Bear Hunting Activity and Harvest in Ontario 1996-2012 (PDF, 19 kb)
- Estimated Black Bear Hunting Activity and Harvest by Wildlife Management Unit 2006-2012 (PDF, 203 kb)
