I’ve hunted Ontario a few times over the years and have fond memories of exciting bear hunting there. The last time I was there, I was invited by Horton Crossbow to join a spring hunt and review some of their new crossbows. It had been a while since I hunted in Ontario and I had the time, so I drove from my home in southern Maine, beating the traffic and congestion through Montreal and Ottawa the best I could, and on to North Bay where I headed north. Once I passed Ottawa, I recall miles of lonely but scenic highway I thought would never end, and north of North Bay even more desolate highway that became denser forest land the farther I drove. It was the longest drive I have ever undertaken for a bear hunt, but it was worth it. Of course, Horton Crossbow is long gone now but Ontario and its spring bear opportunities are still there, although not without controversy. 

Ontario has a long history of bear hunting, allowing both resident and non-resident participation  dating back to at least 1937, but separate spring and fall hunting seasons were not established until 1972. In 1980, bear-specific hunting licenses for residents and non-residents were put in place. In the early and mid-1990s when Ontario was enjoying its heyday as a top bear hunting destination—especially during the spring—20,000 to 26,000 bear hunting licenses were being sold annually, well over half to non-resident hunters. 

Then in 1999 everything fell apart when the spring bear season was canceled, vigorously supported by anti-hunting and animal rights’ organizations, supposedly to protect cubs from becoming orphaned. Hunting organizations including the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), other organizations in the tourist trade, and individual hunting outfitters saw it strictly as a politically motivated anti-hunting move and threat to a long-held hunting tradition and a way of life. Due to pressure in the right places, a spring hunt pilot season that was only open to residents was put in place in 2014 in eight northern Ontario wildlife management units (WMUs). In 2016, the pilot program was extended and expanded to 88 of 95 wildlife units and allowed non-resident participation. Then in January of 2020, the decision was made to permanently reestablish the spring bear hunt with minor changes pertaining to baiting and a shorter spring season in some WMUs.  

With the uncertainty of the spring bear hunt pretty much history, Ontario has once again become a popular destination for a number of solid reasons. If anything good came from the spring closure, it is that the bear population continued to grow. Prior to the closure, province-wide estimates typically put the bear population between 85,000-100,000. By some estimates it is now upwards of 100,000 and as high as 115,000 and growing. Whatever the actual number, Ontario's black bear population is now the second highest in Canada behind British Columbia and third highest in North America. The prospects of shot opportunity rates throughout the vast forested regions is extremely high and most outfitters catering to non-resident hunters routinely report equally high success rates. Although the odds are far less than in the western provinces, there is also the chance for a color-phase bear, normally brown, particularly in the west and northwest units close to the Manitoba border. One common, perhaps unique feature is a white chest blaze on a high percentage of Ontario bears, either in the form of a small, roundish tuff or a noticeable blaze stretching from shoulder to shoulder.  

Another thing that makes Ontario a top spring bear destination is its proximity to population centers in the northeast and upper midwest United States as well as its variety of hunting options. Good highways cross the border at numerous points, extending well into the province, and many camps offering a wide array of amenities can be reached by vehicle. Hunters also have the option to get off the beaten track and enter bear territories via more rustic accommodations, such as by floatplane. There is something for every bear hunter. Add in friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable guides and outfitters—some of the best I have hunted with—plus affordable and easily obtainable hunting licenses, and it is easy to understand why Ontario is once again the popular spring bear hunting destination it is. 

Oh, and one other thing. Many hunting camps are located on or near water that offer various trout and other popular species to help occupy time during non-hunting hours or after a successful hunt. Therefore, fishing gear is well advised.        

ONTARIO OVERVIEW 

Estimated Bear Population: 100,000-110,000 +/-. 

Areas Open to Spring Hunting: Currently open in most WMUs. 

Spring Season Dates: May 1-June 15, 2024 in most WMUs. 

         May 1-May 7 in WMUs 82A, 83, and 84 in certain geographic townships only.  

Bag Limit: 1 annually. In some WMUs residents may purchase a second bear permit. 

Baiting Allowed: Yes. 

Legal Weapons: Centerfire rifles, muzzleloaders, shotguns, vertical bows with 48 pound minimum draw, and crossbows with 119 pound minimum draw. Other specifics pertaining to arrow length and broadhead size are also enforced. 

Non-resident License Requirements/Fees/Accessibility: Non-resident and resident hunters must be in possession of an Ontario Outdoor Card. The cost is $8.58 and must be carried while hunting. Non-resident Black Bear Tag: $240.81 plus applicable taxes.  

Resident Bear/2nd Bear tags: $43.86. Proof of firearm accreditation if hunting with a firearm is also required. A black bear hunting validation certificate is also required, available from outfitters. Non-resident Bear License Tag and Fee: $255.17. Bear licenses and tags, outdoor cards, and fishing licenses are available online, at authorized vendors such as outfitters, and Ontario Service Centers. Non-resident 8-day Fishing License: $54.38 plus applicable taxes.   

Contacts: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (www.mnr.gov.on.ca) or 1-(800) 288-1155.      

*All non-resident bear hunters must book hunts through operators licensed to provide bear hunting services.