• HOME
    HOME
  • INSIDER HOME
    INSIDER HOME
  • POPULAR CATEGORIES
    POPULAR CATEGORIES
    • Hunting
      Hunting
    • Wildlife Management
      Wildlife Management
    • Lands & Access
      Lands & Access
    • Community Hatchery Program
      Community Hatchery Program
  • SUPPORT THE OFAH
    SUPPORT THE OFAH
    • DONATE
      DONATE
    • MEMBERSHIP
      MEMBERSHIP
    • PROSHOP
      PROSHOP
  • CONTACT US
    CONTACT US
logo
  • HOME
    HOME
  • INSIDER HOME
    INSIDER HOME
  • POPULAR CATEGORIES
    POPULAR CATEGORIES
    • Hunting
      Hunting
    • Wildlife Management
      Wildlife Management
    • Lands & Access
      Lands & Access
    • Community Hatchery Program
      Community Hatchery Program
  • SUPPORT THE OFAH
    SUPPORT THE OFAH
    • DONATE
      DONATE
    • MEMBERSHIP
      MEMBERSHIP
    • PROSHOP
      PROSHOP
  • CONTACT US
    CONTACT US
Search..
logo
logo
White-tailed deer buck in rut in the forest

Ontario to make changes to controlled deer hunt

November 8, 2022
-
Hunting, Lands & Access, Wildlife Management
-
No comments
-
Posted by Shawn Cayley

Big changes are coming for hunters who participate in Ontario’s controlled deer hunt program.

In 2023, the provincial government has committed to a host of changes that include new timelines around the application period and draw results, along with new dates for when additional tags and farmer and landowner validations will be available.

According to a letter sent to OFAH from the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, Graydon Smith, the changes will result in:

  • the controlled deer draw application period being open from July 1-31 
  • draw results available on September 1, which is nearly six weeks earlier than in previous years 
  • additional controlled deer tags becoming available September 8
  • farmer and landowner controlled deer hunt validations becoming available starting July 1

Controlled deer hunts were implemented in the early 1980s to address ongoing conflicts between landowners and hunters in southern Ontario and the OFAH has been seeking a full review of the program since 2013 to ensure it is still serving its intended purpose.

These changes, especially when it comes to adjusting the timing around draw dates, are welcomed.

“The timing of the controlled deer hunt draw has been a point of frustration for many hunters for a long time because it didn’t give hunters sufficient time to plan, particularly hunters that hunt multiple species in different parts of the province,” explains OFAH Manager of Policy, Mark Ryckman. “Minister Smith’s decision to make the draw results available almost six weeks earlier is incredibly positive news.”

OFAH advocacy was an important driver to the changes the government is making to the controlled hunt program.

“Your feedback is important to us, and we appreciate OFAH’s dedication to advocate for hunters across Ontario,” Minister Smith’s letter to the OFAH read.“We look forward to continuing to work with you to help remove barriers to hunting in Ontario.”

Email
PREVIOUS POST
Roof racks and your insurance
NEXT POST
Bill C-21: 8 things than can and should be done by government
author

Shawn Cayley

Shawn joined the OFAH in 2015 as the Manager of Communications. A graduate of Durham College, he spent 10 years working in the journalism industry before joining the OFAH. He's an avid deer and moose hunter and long-suffering Toronto Maple Leafs fan.
Recent Posts
  • OFAH testimony to SECU on firearms Bill C-21
  • OFAH Community Conservation Fund Investments
  • Bill C-21: 8 things than can and should be done by government
  • Ontario to make changes to controlled deer hunt
  • Roof racks and your insurance
Recent Comments
  • Greg on Municipal handgun bylaws – what’s happening and why does OFAH care?
  • Rick Bisset on Falconry, in its entirety, has finally arrived in Ontario!
  • Dan Mansell on Falconry, in its entirety, has finally arrived in Ontario!
  • Charles Potvin on Municipal handgun bylaws – what’s happening and why does OFAH care?
  • Brian on Falconry, in its entirety, has finally arrived in Ontario!
Categories
  • ALUS Peterborough
  • Catch the Ace
  • Community Hatchery Program
  • Firearms
  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Invading Species Awareness Program
  • Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program
  • Lands & Access
  • Lottery
  • Media Release
  • NASP
  • News
  • OFAH Membership
  • OHEP
  • Programs
  • Thoughts
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Wildlife Management

Leave a Comment

Your feedback is valuable for us. Your email will not be published.
Cancel Reply

Please wait...
Submit Comment →

Related News

Other posts that you should not miss
generic-header-moose

Hunters who failed to report in 2020 won’t be prevented from purchasing a licence in 2021

January 21, 2021
-
Posted by OFAH Communications
The OFAH has confirmed with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) that they will not be preventing hunters who
Read More →
Hunting
2 MIN READ
queens-park-g7ecb7c8ce_1920

5 Reasons natural resources should have its own Ministry in Ontario again

June 23, 2022
-
Posted by Matt DeMille
Premier Doug Ford and his entire pre-election cabinet  — at least those who ran —  are returning to Queen’s Park, but
Read More →
Fishing, Hunting, News, Thoughts, Uncategorized
5 MIN READ
Youth-Waterfowl-1

Youth Waterfowl Hunt 2017

November 10, 2017
-
Posted by OFAH Communications
On Saturday September 16, 9 newly-licensed young hunters experienced their first waterfowl hunt at Tiny Marsh near Elmvale.  This event is
Read More →
Hunting
1 MIN READ
Ontario to make changes to controlled deer hunt - OFAH Insider