Wildlife management
How Ontario manages wildlife to support healthy ecosystems.
Sustainable wildlife management
The ministry manages Ontario’s natural resources and wildlife on behalf of all Ontarians.
We manage wildlife species to sustain their populations and habitat while considering the needs of the human population over time. Wildlife management includes:
- policy and regulation
- research and monitoring
- habitat planning, management and conservation
- allocation and harvest planning
Wildlife laws and regulations
We administer the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and supporting regulations that provide the framework for the wildlife conservation and management in Ontario. The act and regulations provide rules about:
- hunting and trapping of game wildlife, including licensing, seasons, limits and harvest reporting
- use of firearms, trapping methods and other gear types
- keeping wildlife in captivity
- transportation, possession, purchase and sale of wildlife
Migratory birds, including migratory game birds (such as ducks and geese), are protected under the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Species whose populations are at risk due to small size or significant declines may receive further protection under either:
- Ontario’s Endangered Species Act
- Canada’s Species at Risk Act
Policies
Cervids (deer, moose, elk)
Cervid Ecological Framework
Learn about how we manage and protect the province’s four wild Cervid species: Moose, White-tailed Deer, Woodland Caribou and American Elk.
White-tailed Deer
White-tailed Deer Management Policy for Ontario
Learn about how White-tailed Deer are managed in Ontario.
White-tailed Deer Population Objective Setting and Harvest Management Guidelines
Read our approach for determining the number of deer expected and desired in an area and how the province manages the deer harvest
Moose
Moose Management Policy
Understand the tools and strategies for managing Ontario’s moose population
Moose Population Objectives Setting Guidelines
Learn about how we determine the number of moose expected and desired in an area.
Moose Harvest Management Guidelines
Find out how Ontario manages the moose harvest.
Elk
Elk Management Plan
Understand the tools and strategies for managing Ontario’s elk population.
Black bear
Framework for Enhanced Black Bear Management in Ontario
Learn about how we manage and protect black bears in the province.
Small game and furbearers
Small Game and Furbearer Management Framework for Ontario
Read the policy direction for managing small game and furbearer species in Ontario.
Wolf
Strategy for Wolf Conservation in Ontario
Learn about how we are ensuring Ontario has ecologically sustainable wolf populations.
Wild turkey
Wild Turkey Management Plan for Ontario
Outlines the Ontario’s goals for managing wild turkeys.