Deer Hunting in Northwestern Ontario

Whitetail deer is Ontario's Premier big game. The hunting seasons for deer are the longest of any big game season in Ontario. In the Emo area (Wildlife Management Area (WMU 7B, 8, 9A, 9B and 10), you can hunt for white-tail deer starting in October. There are different dates and restrictions for each WMU. Check the Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary for exact hunting dates and restrictions. Please note that non-residents must be accompanied by one licenced guide for each two hunters when hunting deer in WMU 9B and 10 and part of 7B. Resident archery hunters wishing to hunt antlerless deer in WMU 7B, 8, 9A, 9B & 10 (which has an archery-only season) must apply to the antlerless deer validation tag draw in that unit. The archery only seasons for WMU 7B, 9A & 9B is roughly the mid September to the beginning of October. Please see the Hunting Regulations for exact dates. WMU 8 runs roughly the first 2 weeks in October and WMU 10 runs almost the whole month of October. Non-residents have the same seasons for the Archery Only Deer Hunt in the WMUs in the Emo area. However, non-residents need a guide in WMU 9B, 10 and part of 7B. Please refer to the Hunting regulations for exact dates and restrictions. Contact the outfitters directly to find out where each resort guest can hunt.

Whitetail deer are abundant in the Emo area. Easily available food, mild winters and the ability to adapt to human encroachment have allowed them to flourish. As a result, there are many hunting opportunities. There are two types of opportunities for deer hunting in Ontario for residents of Ontario that involve computerized random draws for validation tags: the Antlerless Deer Draw and the Controlled Deer Draw. Since the controlled deer hunts take place in Southern and Southwestern Ontario, in the Emo area, there is only the Antlerless Deer Draw. The draw is only for residents of Ontario. If you are not successful in the draw, you may harvest an antlered deer. You need a valid outdoors card and a deer licence.

Non-residents are allowed to hunt for antlered deer only. You must have proof of a current hunting licence from the State in which you reside. Then you require a deer hunting licence and tag, which is available from your outfitter or the Ministry of Natural Resources Office. You can call the closest MNR office in Fort Frances at 807-274-5337 for more information.

To find out more about the outfitters that offer whitetail deer hunts in the Emo area, please link to the following accommodations below. To link to all the whitetail deer outfitters in Northwest Ontario, visit www.ontariodeerhunting.ca