Antlerless deer tags will remain the same in 2026

0:00

/252.8435

MANITOULIN—With an increase of antlerless validation tags put in place last year for one wildlife management unit (WMU) on Manitoulin for the annual whitetail rifle hunt, the thousands of hunters expected to converge on the Island for next week’s hunt should be happy to hear these tag numbers will remain the same for this year’s hunt.

“In 2026, for WMU 43A, the antlerless deer quota is 400. For 43B, the quota is 6,100,” said Kavithaa Kandasamy, media relations lead with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) told The Expositor last Friday.

“Our highly trained conservation officers conduct proactive patrols across Ontario to support compliance, enforcement, education and incident response. Tagging violations remain among the most common deer hunting offences. Hunters must invalidate their tag immediately at the harvest site and securely attach it to the carcass whenever they transport the animal or leave it with a processor,” explained Kandasamy.

“Our officers continue to address incidents of unauthorized access to private property during the Manitoulin Island deer hunt. As a reminder, hunters may only hunt on private land if they have obtained the landowner’s written consent on the ministry-prescribed form and carry the completed form while hunting,” Kandasamy continued.

On the issue of trespassing, you must have permission to hunt on privately owned lands. If you have wounded an animal and it runs onto private property, you usually must secure permission prior to following the animal on to private property.

You cannot hunt where you are not allowed to. One example of trespassing is when your tag is valid in one wildlife management unit, but you hunt in another WMU—this is illegal.

The MNR is advising hunters again this year that they have to handle firearms with care and attention at all times. Hunters should never shoot unless they are absolutely sure of their target and what lies beyond it. It is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road while hunting, with no exceptions.

Hunters need to ensure that firearms are unloaded prior to placing them in a vehicle, like an all-terrain vehicle, side by side or truck.

All hunters must wear solid hunter orange clothing (a minimum of 400 square inches or 2,580 square centimetres above the waste) and a hunter orange head cover during gun seasons for deer, moose and elk. This also applies to bear hunters who are not hunting from a tree stand.

Make sure you have your outdoors card, licence summary, any required tags or validation certifications for the species you are hunting, and proof of firearms accreditation if you are hunting with a firearm.

Contact your local MNR enforcement office if you have any questions pertaining to the regulations. Hunting rules vary across Canada and within the province of Ontario.

The Ministry recommends that hunters let someone know where you will be hunting and when you plan on returning. Be prepared for all weather conditions while in the field, plan for and have all navigation aids with you while in the field to avoid getting lost.

In WMU 43A and 43B, landowner written permission is required.

Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle is a violation. Generally, in Ontario you must transport your gun unloaded while it is in a vehicle, motorboat or aircraft. Vehicles include all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.

You must unload and encase firearms in your possession during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Night hunting is illegal.

Another preventable violation includes illegal harvesting of an animal. Always ensure you are following the proper season for hunting based on the Ontario Hunting Regulations and ensure you are hunting only permitted species along with any age, sex or type restrictions on the species being hunted.

Always remember when you are hunting you cannot carry another person’s tag.

The MNR explained that you must also have on your person any applicable validation certificate and tags. If hunting with a gun, you must also carry proof of having the credentials to hunt with a gun.

Failing to properly tag a harvested animal, for example, not notching the tag, or not attaching the tag properly when it is required to be attached is a violation. Each tag has detailed instructions on its use. Follow the instructions.

If you witness a hunting violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Information on hunting rules, legal hunting hours, firearm restrictions, permitted methods, road allowances, municipal considerations, and hunter responsibilities, can be found in the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary.