Hunting season start dates in Ontario vary depending on the game species and the hunting method. For deer hunting in 2025, the archery season typically starts early October, with specific dates varying by Wildlife Management Unit (zone). Rifle and shotgun seasons often begin on the first Monday of November in many zones. Controlled hunts and muzzleloader seasons start later in November or early December, with some zones having extended seasons into December. Here are some detailed start dates for the 2025 deer hunting season types in Ontario:
- Archery season generally starts between September 1 and October 1 depending on the zone, and can extend into December.
- Rifle and shotgun seasons begin around the first Monday in November.
- Controlled hunts occur in late November and early December.
- Muzzleloader and late bow seasons start in mid-December to the end of December.
For example, in Southern Ontario, the archery season typically starts October 1, and the rifle season starts November 1. In Northern Ontario, archery can start as early as September 30, with rifle season starting around November 6. Controlled hunts and late-season hunting dates vary by zone and are often in November and December.
Would information on hunting seasons for specific game species or zones in Ontario be helpful?