As we turn the page on another year, I find myself reflecting on the resilience, passion, and dedication that defines Ontario’s hunting and angling community. The past 12 months have brought their share of challenges, but they have also delivered meaningful wins for conservation and for the traditions we all hold dear. Looking back, one thing is clear: when hunters, anglers, and conservationists stand together, progress follows.
In 2025, the OFAH continued to push back against threats to fish and wildlife, Crown land access, and wasteful firearms legislation, while continuing to advocate for the expansion of Sunday gun hunting, and science-based legislation. Some of these wins were hard-fought, and many are still unfolding, but each one underscores the value of a strong, united voice.
We made progress on long-standing advocacy files, advanced science-based solutions in government discussions, and ensured that conservation funding remained at the forefront of provincial priorities. These achievements aren’t the result of any one person or initiative. They are the product of members, volunteers, and partners who showed up, spoke out, and refused to back down.
Our community has also shown an incredible ability to adapt. Whether it’s adjusting to new regulations or navigating modern conservation pressures, Ontario’s hunters and anglers continue to evolve while staying rooted in tradition. I’ve met people across the province who see these changes not as obstacles, but as opportunities to strengthen our commitment to sustainable fish and wildlife management.
Adapting, however, doesn’t mean accepting the status quo. The OFAH remains firmly committed to protecting your access, ensuring fair and science-based policy, and securing the resources needed to safeguard Ontario’s natural heritage. These priorities will guide us into 2026. We know that pressures on wildlife habitat are increasing. We know that credible voices for conservation are needed now more than ever. And we know that every member matters, because your membership gives us the strength to influence decisions that affect us all.
As we look ahead, let’s carry forward the momentum we’ve built together. Let’s keep advocating for healthy forests and fisheries, for fact-based decision making related to firearms, and for the next generation of hunters, anglers, and conservationists. The OFAH is ready for the work ahead, and with your support, we’ll continue to deliver real results for Ontario’s outdoors.
Thank you for standing with us. Here’s to a new year of progress, passion, and protecting what matters most.
Originally published in the Jan.-Feb. 2026 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
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