NDMNRF building

Starting this year, hunters who do not comply with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry’s (NDMNRF) mandatory hunter reporting requirements for elk, deer, bear, moose, wolf/coyote, or wild turkey will face a $25 surcharge, which will be applied to their next draw application, licence or tag purchase for that species, generally in the following year.

The fine will be applied for each report the hunter fails to submit. Also, if a hunter fails to submit on two consecutive occasions for the same species, they will be prevented from purchasing relevant products, such as a draw application, licence, or tag in the following year.

Hunters who fail to report or provide false or misleading information may also be subject to fines under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. The graduated penalty approach means the first penalties will be in place for purchases in 2023.

Data provides scope

Mandatory hunter reporting is a valuable source of data used by the NDMNRF to support sustainable wildlife management and inform decisions regarding hunting opportunities. According to a NDMNRF media release, reporting rates have increased significantly since mandatory hunter reporting was implemented in 2019, and as a result the quality and quantity of data used is increasing.

Hunters are required to complete a hunter report even if they did not hunt or harvest an animal.

For reporting deadlines and to report, visit: www.ontario.ca/hunterreporting

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