Information for Moose and Black Bear Hunting Outfitters

This web page provides important information for Ontario tourist outfitters who provide moose and bear hunting services to their clients.
 

Licence requirements for moose and black bear hunters

Hunters wishing to hunt moose or black bear in Ontario must have a valid hunting Outdoors Card and hunting licence tag before a validation tag or certificate can be issued in their name.

EXCEPTION: A first-time non-resident moose hunter can have a moose validation tag issued in their name by having the outfitter that they will be using supply the required hunter identification information to the outfitter's ministry office. The hunter must show the outfitter the Temporary Outdoors Card and moose licence tag that the hunter purchased after entering Ontario before the outfitter can provide the hunter with the validation tag issued in his/her name. If the outfitter is also a licence issuer, the hunter can purchase the Outdoor Card and hunting licence tag and receive the validation tag from the outfitter at the same time. 

A person other than the hunter, including a tourist outfitter, can renew an Outdoors Card and purchase a moose or black bear hunting licence for a hunting client by providing the following information for the hunter:

• Outdoors Card number
• date of birth
• postal code or zip code.

This person can also obtain the hunter's Outdoors Card by providing the following information for the hunter in person, at a licence issuer or participating ServiceOntario location:

• first and last name
• date of birth
• mailing and residential address
• height and eye colour
• acceptable proof of hunting accreditation.

For more information, please refer to Information for Moose Hunters or Information for Black Bear Hunters.
 

For clients with an existing hunting-version Outdoors Card

As an outfitter, before you can apply for a moose validation tag for a resident or non-resident hunting client who already has a hunting-version Outdoors Card, the hunter must renew the card (if expired) and purchase a moose hunting licence tag for the year in which they plan to hunt. It is important that the moose hunting licence tag be obtained well in advance of the hunt (suggested minimum six weeks) to allow you the necessary time to apply for the hunter's moose validation tag. You should contact your ministry office to find out how far in advance of the hunt you must apply for the moose validation tags.

For clients who are first-time non-resident moose hunters

As an outfitter, you may apply for moose validation tags for first-time non-resident moose hunters before they obtain their first hunting-version Outdoors Card and moose hunting licence tag. If your hunting client chooses this option your ministry office will provide you with a moose validation tag issued using an alternative paper-based process (similar to the approach used in 2012). It will be your responsibility to ensure your client purchases a hunting-version Outdoors Card and moose hunting licence tag at a ServiceOntario location offering MNR services or at a licence issuer upon arrival in Ontario and before you provide them with the moose validation tag that you obtained in their name.

Receiving moose validation tags

To receive moose validation tags you must sign the annual Moose Validation Tag Agreement and submit a Tourist Outfitter's Application for Moose Validation Tag(s) (Form 1026) to your ministry office, including the following information for each client:

• Outdoors Card number (if already obtained)
• date of birth
• first and last name
• mailing address, and,
• postal code or zip code.

Please submit the applications at least four weeks before the hunt to ensure that the validation tags are ready for pickup in time for opening of the hunt.

 
Refer to the 2013 Tourist Outfitter Moose Validation Tags factsheet that you received by mail for more details on the two methods for receiving moose validation tags and other appropriate licence documents.

Mandatory Reporting

Assessment of moose harvest data is important for the sustainable management of moose populations. Similar to previous years, at the end of the hunt you must complete and submit a "Mandatory Report Summary" (PDF, 23 kb)  for each WMU that you received moose validation tags for your hunting clients. This summary reports moose hunting activity and harvest by each of your hunting clients. Please note that this summary is slightly different from previous years, and you will need to fill in more information to complete it. Completed summaries must be sent to MNR via the OMBTIP administrator by December 31.
 

 
Questions regarding the Moose Tourism Industry Program can be directed to the program’s administrator at (807) 737-2615.
  
 

As an outfitter, before you can apply for a Non-resident Black Bear Hunting Licence Validation Certificate for a hunting client, you must have purchased the annual Licence to Provide Bear Hunting Services to non-residents and paid the required fees. Your licence identifies the areas where you may provide bear hunting services to clients. You must have the landowner's permission to use private land listed on your licence.

 
 _____________________________________________________

Guide Requirements in Northwestern Ontario

Non-resident moose and deer hunters must be accompanied by one licensed guide for each two hunters in the Territorial District of Rainy River.  Wildlife Management Units in the Territorial District of Rainy River are: 9B, 10, 11A and parts of 7B and 12B.

A person acting as a guide for moose, deer or black bear hunters in the Territorial District of Rainy River requires a guide licence. To apply for a licence contact your local ministry office.
 

Becoming a Licence Issuer

If you wish to become an issuer of hunting and fishing licence tags contact your local ministry office.