Anglers and hunters will see major changes to licensing starting in 2018 as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) updates the Licensing Automation System (LAS). This is the computer system that the MNRF uses to manage Outdoors Card profiles, licence purchases, game seals, draw entries, and reporting.
There are still many details to come that will be important for anglers and hunters to know, so stay tuned as we will be featuring more information in Ontario OUT of DOORS magazine and on social media throughout the year. Here is what we know so far.
Print your tag from home
Why the change?
We all know that game seals run the wear and tear gauntlet of weather, blood, dirt, and heaven knows what else while in the field. However, in an effort to offer more choices to purchase licences and tags, the MNRF has added the “print your tag from home” option.
What if I don’t buy my licences online?
Don’t worry. If you don’t have a computer or printer, or simply just prefer to buy your licences in person, you will still be able to do so at a ServiceOntario location. This just provides the option for hunters to purchase, print, and go.
When does it come into effect?
This option won’t be available until January 1, 2019, so anyone entering a big game draw or buying a licence before then will still receive the yellow game seals they are used to.
Other details:
Individuals are also responsible for ensuring that their printed paper tag remains intact and readable for enforcement purposes. This means your paper tag must be protected from weather, water, blood, dirt, and anything else that would keep a conservation officer from being able to read the tag. This is something hunters have not had to worry about as much with the current yellow game seals.
How do I protect my tag?
In states and provinces that have already introduced similar paper licences and tags, commercial ‘tag holders’ are available (think sealable luggage tag). These can provide all-around protection from the elements while providing a see-through side to make details visible to a conservation officer without taking the tag out of the holder. Availability of these products in Ontario for 2019 is still uncertain.
Anglers and hunters are still required to carry relevant tag(s), an Outdoors Card and Possession and Acquisition Licence (if applicable) when hunting. Hunters are still required to fill out the tag (i.e. notch as they have in the past) at the point and time of harvest.
What will change in 2019, however, is that the tag will only need to be attached to the animal if it is no longer accompanied by the hunter (i.e. if it is being transferred, or if it is unattended). This means you don’t have to put the paper tag on while bringing the animal out of the bush if you are always with it. The
OFAH is committed to providing hunters with access to the information they need about these changes, including the definition/interpretation of “accompanied by the hunter.”
Printed tags will have security codes built in for enforcement purposes and so that a purchased tag can only be used once, as intended.
Buy your licence early: When the new service goes live in November 2018, hunters will not be able to purchase a 2018 hunting licence with accompanied game seal through Dec. 31, 2018.
Mandatory and electronic in 2019
Why the change?
Mailed-in postcard surveys will be coming to an end (they will still be mailed out in 2018). Hunter activity and harvest reporting is a very important piece of the information puzzle when it comes to sustainable fish and wildlife management. The MNRF needs this information to support research, to accompany population modelling, and to develop harvest quotas. The idea is to collect the information by electronic device (computer, smartphone, telephone) rather than by mail.
Other details:
ALL hunters who purchase a licence for moose, elk, white-tailed deer, wolf/coyote, wild turkey, and black bear will be required to provide information, whether they harvested an animal or not, and even if they didn’t end up hunting.
The MNRF will communicate with hunters (via email) to remind them of deadlines and mandatory reporting.
What are the consequences of not reporting?
If you do not complete the report, you may not be able to purchase a licence the following year. The new regulations coming into effect on January 1, 2019 allow the government to refuse to issue a licence to a hunter who did not report in the previous year, but the details related to the consequences of not reporting have not yet been finalized.
What has the OFAH been saying about mandatory reporting?
The OFAH has been pushing for the government to use a phased-in approach, to allow hunters to adapt to the new system (i.e. not have severe consequences immediately), and to share the results of hunter reports, as well as how they are using this information in wildlife management.
One card for all:
As of November 23, 2018, there will be one Ontario Outdoors Card to cover all anglers and hunters. There will no longer be three separate cards for anglers, hunters, and hunter apprentices.
Other details:
Your current Outdoors Card (purchased before November 23, 2018) will be good until the expiry date specified on the card.
A single Outdoors Card will cover anglers and all types of hunters (apprentice, falconers, bow hunters, gun hunters, etc.)
The new Outdoors Card will likely have some sort of coded technology to show proof of an individual’s accreditation and licence(s).
Efficiencies ahead:
Through hunter education, we learned about the importance of recovering wild game. Dogs can be a huge help, and as of January 1, 2019, hunters will be able to use their dog to help recover game without purchasing an MNRF dog hunting licence.
The OFAH is pleased to see this change, as we have been pushing for this exemption for a number of years.
Hunters who use dogs when hunting for moose, deer, bear, and raccoon will still have to purchase an MNRF dog hunting licence for each dog.
Currently, dog hunting licences can only be purchased in person at a ServiceOntario or licence issuer. As of January 1, 2019, hunters will be able to purchase their dog licence(s) online 24 hours a day.
Other details:
MNRF is combining the three separate dog licences (moose/deer, bear, raccoon) into a single dog licence, available to purchase and print at home.
Own bag limit:
This is great news for mentors. Apprentice hunters will have the option to purchase an Outdoors Card and their own licence/game seals (except through game draws) starting January 1, 2019.
The OFAH was responsible for introducing the Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program 20 years ago and has been requesting this for many years. This welcome change will allow youth apprentice hunters and their mentors more opportunities in the field while keeping safety and learning a top priority.
Other details:
Apprentice hunters can have their own bag limit while still hunting under the direct supervision of a mentor and a shared single firearm (i.e. all requirements of the existing Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program remain the same)
Apprentice hunters would no longer be required to complete multiple consent forms to take the Ontario Hunter Education course
Parental consent would only be required for youth hunters (12-15 years old) to purchase their Outdoors Card.
Learn more and stay current on changes: More information can be accessed at www.ofah.org
Originally published in the Ontario OUT of DOORS 2018 Fishing Annual
Contact Information
PO Box 2800 / 4601 Guthrie Dr.
Peterborough, Ontario Canada K9J 8L5
Phone: 705-748-OFAH (6324)
Fax: 705-748-9577
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