The Ministry of Natural Resources is proposing a new fishing and hunting and licensing system that could be implemented in late 2026.
It is meant to enhance service delivery to clients and support sustainable fish and wildlife management, officials stated. Client feedback influenced its design. The proposal, listed on the Environmental Registry of Ontario on May 13 as ERO 019-9441, was available for public comment until June 27, 2025.
Functionally, it’s similar to the current system, but it will have a new look that aligns with broader government commitments. Existing service channels like online, in-person (private issuer and Service Ontario) and over the phone, will remain in place, along with paper-based options.
Notable changes include a free fish and wildlife app that includes features that are accessible without internet.
Under the new system, hunters would be able to carry their outdoors cards and licence summary digitally, accessing them through the app when required. Those who wish to use their plastic licence card will still be allowed to do so.
Mobile phone users will benefit from notifications regarding dates of licence sales, draw deadlines, and hunter reporting obligations. They will also be able to complete hunter reports, access hunting and fishing regs, and apply for big game draws via phone. Licence products (including Outdoors Card, licence summary, and tags) will be accessible and displayed whether the app is online or offline.
Hunter accreditation will also be able to be submitted digitally.
Falconers will benefit from a new system that, among other things, will streamline the purchase of falconry licences, ease some eligibility requirements, and change the annual reporting date.
Under the proposed system, hunters will have the option of carrying a tag in digital or paper format. These would be downloaded and carried through the new fish and wildlife mobile app and would function with or without network connectivity.
Hunters would be required to carry the digital tag with them while hunting and digitally invalidate their tag when they harvest the animal it was intended for. Invalidation would automatically record date and time information, instead of having to notch a tag. Once the tag is invalidated in the app, a confirmation code would be generated, and the invalidation would be automatically communicated to the licensing system.
If the hunter who used the digital tag is no longer with their harvest, relevant information must be written down on material and attached to the animal.
Hunters would be responsible for carrying charged mobile devices for carrying their digital tag. They cannot possess another person’s tag. The proposed system also includes a moose and bear outfitter’s portal. This would allow outfitters and operators to digitally manage their own assigned quota of tags or validation certificates, renew and pay annual licence-associated fees (bear only), issue tags or validation certificates to their clients, manage client records and submit hunter reports completed by the hunter online through their account in the outfitter portal.
The MNR says it will provide training to outfitter/operators. During the transition period, they will still be able to use paper.
The new system will also eliminate the requirement for a licence to hunt fox by a fox hunt club. Individuals wanting to hunt fox would instead obtain an outdoors card and small game licence to hunt fox during the open season or could run dogs on scent.
To read the ERO post visit: ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-9441
Originally published in the August 2025 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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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