The Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program allows new hunters to learn from an experienced mentor. It is designed to introduce young people to hunting and is open to Ontario residents who are 12 to 14 years old. To participate, you need to pass the Ontario Hunter Education Program, including the exam.

When you pass the course, you’ll receive a copy of the Ontario Hunter Education Examination Report. You will need to bring your copy to a participating ServiceOntario location that provides hunting licence services to file your hunter accreditation with the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service. Once this is filed you must purchase an Outdoors Card, and then have the option of purchasing selected hunting licences and tags.

Hunter apprentices must:

• carry their Outdoors Card with them while hunting
• hunt under the direct and immediate supervision of a licensed mentor, 18 years or older, who holds an Outdoors Card, and a valid hunting licence for the game being hunted
• share a firearm with their mentor and carry proof of firearm accreditation (if hunting with a gun)
• share a bag limit with their mentor (unless the apprentice hunter has purchased their own hunting licences and tags, which allows the apprentice to hunt under their own bag limit)

Only select licences and tags that are not obtained through a draw are available to apprentice hunters, for example a small game licence, Wild Turkey Tag or antlered deer licence

Apprentices who choose to purchase their own licences and tags will have to fulfill the new mandatory hunter reporting requirements.

Apprentice hunters who do not wish to purchase their own licences and currently have a valid hunter apprenticeship safety card can continue to use this card until its expiry date.

Who can participate

Ontario residents who are 12 to 14 years old and have:

• passed the Ontario Hunter Education Program
• passed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and follow all federal firearm regulations while carry appropriate documentation (if hunting with a gun)
• attested to the parental/guardian consent statement that a participating ServiceOntario representative will read aloud and input into the Fish and Wildlife Licensing Service