Hunting in Provincial Parks in Ontario:

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Last Updated: September 13 2026

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Question: Received a Hunting in a Provincial Park ticket in Ontario, should you pay it or fight it?

Answer: If you received a “Hunting in a Provincial Park” summons in Ontario, do not panic and do not automatically pay before confirming the exact offence wording and section number on your ticket, then checking whether the park and area were actually open to hunting for your species on your specific date and method, because paying is often treated as a guilty plea.  A paralegal at DefendCharges.ca™ can help you review the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act rules and the park-specific limits, preserve evidence like licence and tags, permits, GPS, photos, and any park conditions, and assess whether the Crown can prove the required elements beyond a reasonable doubt.  For an urgent step-by-step review of your documents and next deadlines, call (647) 559-3377 at (647) 559-3377 and discuss your matter with DefendCharges.ca™.

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Hunting in Provincial Parks in Ontario

Received a ticket or summons for Hunting in a Provincial Park in Ontario?  You have been charged with a provincial offence under Ontario hunting law.  The charge may concern hunting wildlife in a provincial park where hunting was not permitted or hunting in a park without complying with the species, area, season, permit, or other conditions that applied there.

Note: Please contact DefendCharges.ca™ by phone at: (647) 559-3377 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

Do not panic.  Being charged does not automatically mean you will be convicted.  Hunting is permitted in a number of Ontario provincial parks, but only where Ontario law allows it and only under the conditions that apply to the particular park, area, species, date, and method of hunting.

This page explains what a Hunting in Provincial Parks charge means, the main Ontario prohibitions and exceptions, when hunting may be lawful in a provincial park, what must be proven, the current set fine and possible consequences, evidence, legal issues and defences, and what may happen next.  This offence is part of Property & Restricted Area Charges.

I Received a Hunting in a Provincial Park Ticket or Summons.  What Should I Do?

A summons is a court document requiring you to attend court or respond as directed.  Read every document carefully and do not miss the response deadline or required court date.

Start with the exact offence wording and section number.  Your documents may state Unlawfully hunt wildlife in provincial park under subsection 9(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or Unlawfully hunt in provincial park under section 104 of Ontario Regulation 665/98.  These provisions are closely related, but the exact charge still matters.

Keep your hunting licence and tag documents, any park permit or site documents, maps, GPS information, photographs, videos, messages, receipts, and anything showing where and when the hunting occurred.  Do not delete, alter, discard, or modify potentially important evidence.

Should I Pay the Ticket?

Paying the ticket will generally be treated as pleading guilty and will result in a conviction, meaning a finding of guilt.  Before paying, identify the exact section on your ticket and check whether hunting was permitted in the park or area involved, whether the species and date were authorized, and whether any park specific permit, site, or other condition had been satisfied.

What Is a Hunting in Provincial Parks Charge?

Hunting in Provincial Parks is a plain English title covering closely related Ontario offences that restrict hunting in provincial parks unless the applicable legal requirements are met.

Subsection 9(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 provides that a person must not hunt, trap, or possess wildlife in a provincial park or Crown game preserve, subject to circumstances prescribed by regulation.  This page focuses on the hunting portion of that prohibition.

Section 104 of Ontario Regulation 665/98 separately provides that a person must not hunt in a provincial park or on certain designated Crown land except in accordance with Part XIV of that regulation.  Part XIV identifies areas where hunting is permitted and sets conditions that can include the species, licence, permit, hunting dates, days, location, or designated hunting site.

The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 also states that hunting is not permitted in provincial parks unless it is allowed by regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.  The charge must therefore be matched to the park boundary, wildlife, date, licence or permit, and rules that applied to the location.  Other restricted area hunting offences are organized within Property & Restricted Area Charges.

Can Hunting Be Lawful in an Ontario Provincial Park?

Yes.  Hunting is permitted in a number of Ontario provincial parks and designated areas.  Ontario's 2026 hunting guidance directs hunters to check the applicable park because areas open to hunting, species, seasons, and other restrictions can differ from park to park.

Part XIV of Ontario Regulation 665/98 authorizes hunting in specified areas under particular conditions.  Depending on the location, those conditions can involve a specific species, open season, day of the week, park permit, designated area, or required hunting site.  For example, some migratory game bird hunting in Presqu'ile Provincial Park and Rondeau Provincial Park is subject to special area, day, permit, or rented site requirements.

Ontario law also contains a specific hunting exception for certain public lands in the Geographic Townships of Bruton and Clyde that were added to Algonquin Provincial Park.  That exception does not make hunting there unrestricted.  Part XV of Ontario Regulation 665/98 imposes separate hunting rules on the applicable Crown lands, including restrictions during the open season for deer or moose.

Is a Conservation Reserve the Same as a Provincial Park?

No.  Ontario treats hunting in conservation reserves differently.  Under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, hunting is generally permitted in conservation reserves unless it is prohibited by regulation under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.

If the location on your ticket was a conservation reserve rather than a provincial park, maps, GPS coordinates, official boundaries, and the wording of the charge should be reviewed carefully.

Does the Wildlife Have to Be Killed?

No.  Ontario's legal definition of hunting is broader than successfully killing an animal.  Hunting includes lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing, or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured, or harassed.  It also includes capturing or harassing wildlife.

The definition contains an exception for certain lying in wait, searching, trailing, or pursuing undertaken for a purpose other than attempting to kill, injure, capture, or harass wildlife, unless the wildlife is actually killed, injured, captured, or harassed as a result.  The prosecution must therefore prove conduct that falls within the legal meaning of hunting and connect that conduct to you and to the prohibited location.

Is Possessing a Firearm in a Provincial Park the Same Charge?

No.  Hunting in a provincial park and unlawfully possessing a firearm or other hunting equipment in a provincial park are separate offences.  Subsection 9(2) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 separately regulates possession of a firearm, trap, other hunting or trapping device, or explosive in a provincial park or Crown game preserve.

Where hunting is lawfully authorized, Ontario Regulation 665/98 contains related firearm exceptions and conditions.  A firearm used for lawful park hunting must generally remain unloaded and encased except while the person is in the immediate area of the hunt or blind.  If your ticket concerns firearm possession rather than hunting, the exact subsection and circumstances should be reviewed separately.

What Law Applies?

The principal provisions are section 9 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, section 15 of the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006, and Part XIV of Ontario Regulation 665/98.  Section 104 of Ontario Regulation 665/98 creates the specific rule against hunting in a provincial park or covered Crown land except in accordance with Part XIV.

What Must Be Proven?

The prosecutor, meaning the lawyer or representative presenting the government's case, must prove every required part of the particular charge beyond a reasonable doubt.  Beyond a reasonable doubt is the high legal standard that must be met before the court can find you guilty.

For a charge of unlawfully hunting wildlife in a provincial park under subsection 9(1), the issues may include:

• Your identity as the person who engaged in the hunting;
• That the conduct amounted to hunting under Ontario law;
• That the conduct involved wildlife; and
• That the relevant conduct occurred within a provincial park.

For a charge under section 104 of Ontario Regulation 665/98, the prosecution must establish that you hunted in a provincial park or covered Crown land and that the hunting was contrary to Part XIV.  The particular park, scheduled area, species, licence, permit, date, day, or site condition relied upon in the case may therefore be important.

If you rely on an authorization, exception, exemption, or qualification as operating in your favour, the applicable burden concerning that provision must also be considered.

What Is the Fine?

The current set fine is $200 for each of the two principal provincial park hunting offences covered by this page.  A set fine is the preset fine used when a particular provincial offence is dealt with by ticket.

• $200 for unlawfully hunting wildlife in a provincial park under subsection 9(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997; and
• $200 for unlawfully hunting in a provincial park under section 104 of Ontario Regulation 665/98.

A separate $200 set fine applies to failing to hunt from a required rented site under subsection 109(2) where that provision applies.  A separate $200 set fine also applies to unlawfully hunting in Bruton and Clyde under subsection 120(1).  Other offences arising from the same incident, such as unlawful firearm possession, can have their own charge and fine.

The set fine is not necessarily the total amount payable.  A victim fine surcharge is an additional amount Ontario adds to a fine after conviction, and applicable court costs may also be added.

The general statutory maximum for an individual convicted of an offence under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 is a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.  If the offence was committed for commercial purposes, the enhanced maximum can be a fine of up to $100,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.  These are statutory maximums and are not the automatic or usual result of a $200 ticket.

Can This Charge Affect My Hunting Licence?

A hunting licence cancellation or prohibition is not automatic merely because you have been charged.  A charge is not a conviction.

After conviction, however, the court may make a discretionary order prohibiting a person for a specified period from holding or obtaining a licence or authorization related to the offence and from engaging in the related regulated activity.  An affected licence or authorization already held must be cancelled if such an order is made.

Could Wildlife, Firearms or Other Property Be Seized?

Yes, where the statutory requirements for seizure are met.  A seizure means wildlife or other property has been taken into official custody.

Depending on the investigation, relevant property may include wildlife, a firearm or other hunting equipment, licences, tags, park permits, maps, photographs, electronic records, and other evidence connected with the hunting.

Forfeiture means permanent loss of ownership.  Seizure does not itself establish guilt, but wildlife seized in connection with an FWCA offence is subject to the Act's forfeiture provisions after conviction, and a court may also order forfeiture of other seized property where the Act permits it.

What Evidence May Be Used?

These cases often turn on location and whether the hunt complied with the rules for that particular park or area.  Relevant evidence may include:

• GPS coordinates, mapping data, park boundary maps, or location records;
• Photographs and videos showing where the hunting occurred;
• Your hunting licence, tag, park permit, or other authorization;
• Evidence identifying the wildlife or species involved;
• Dates, timestamps, season information, and park specific hunting conditions;
• Reservation, rented site, blind, campground, or travel records where relevant;
• Conservation Officer notes, photographs, recordings, and observations;
• Witness evidence; and
• Statements or electronic communications attributed to you or other people involved.

Disclosure is the relevant information and evidence in the prosecutor's possession or control that you are entitled to receive, subject to the law.  Disclosure should be obtained and reviewed before important decisions are made about a disputed charge.

What Possible Defences or Legal Issues May Apply?

The defence depends on the exact charge, location, park, wildlife, date, permit or licence, applicable park hunting rules, and available evidence.  Not every defence or legal issue applies to every case.

Hunting Was Permitted in the Park or Area

The evidence may show that the location was one where hunting was authorized under Part XIV of Ontario Regulation 665/98 and that the hunt complied with the applicable species, date, licence, permit, area, or site requirements.

The Location Was Outside the Provincial Park

A provincial park charge depends on where the conduct occurred.  Official boundaries, maps, GPS data, signs, roads, waterways, and officer observations may be important where the location is disputed.

The Land Was a Conservation Reserve or Otherwise Subject to Different Rules

If the charge depends on the legal status of the land, the exact designation and applicable regulation should be confirmed.  A conservation reserve is not automatically governed by the same hunting prohibition as a provincial park.

The Conduct Did Not Amount to Hunting

Ontario's definition of hunting is broad, but presence in a provincial park with outdoor or hunting equipment does not automatically establish that you hunted wildlife.  The evidence still has to establish conduct falling within the legal definition.

Aboriginal or Treaty Rights

Existing Aboriginal and treaty rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 can be legally significant in a provincial park hunting case.  The Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, 2006 expressly states that it does not abrogate or derogate from those protected rights.  Whether a right applies depends on the community, person, territory, purpose of the hunt, and circumstances.

Due Diligence

Due diligence means taking all reasonable care in the circumstances to prevent the offence.  The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 recognizes this defence where its requirements are established.  Evidence that you checked park maps, confirmed hunting rules, obtained required permits, verified the authorized area, or took other reasonable compliance steps may be relevant.

Honest and Reasonable Mistake of Fact

An honest and reasonable mistake of fact means honestly and reasonably believing facts that, if true, would make the conduct innocent.  A factual mistake might concern the park boundary, whether the hunting location was within an authorized area, or another material fact.  This is different from simply not knowing that hunting was prohibited.

Evidence or Statement Issues

Location evidence, maps, permits, officer observations, photographs, electronic records, witness evidence, and statements should be reviewed carefully.  Their accuracy, completeness, context, reliability, and lawful use can affect whether the charge is proven.

What Happens Next?

Your ticket or summons should identify the next procedural step and any response deadline or court date.  Do not miss that deadline while obtaining legal advice, requesting disclosure, or deciding how to respond.

After disclosure is obtained, the charge can be compared with the park boundary, applicable Part XIV rule, species, licence or permit, date, authorized hunting area, Conservation Officer evidence, and any defence supported by the circumstances.

The prosecutor may withdraw the charge, meaning the charge is no longer being pursued, or the matter may be resolved by a guilty plea or another agreement, or proceed to trial.  The appropriate response depends on the evidence, legal issues, possible consequences, and circumstances of your case.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can review the wording on your ticket, summons, seizure notice, or other documents and compare it with the park boundary, applicable hunting rules, licences or permits, maps, wildlife, and circumstances involved.  This can help identify the exact charge, the legal requirements that apply, and the factual issues that may be important to your case.

If the matter proceeds through court, DefendCharges.ca™ can explain the court process, review the available evidence and legal issues, discuss possible penalties or other consequences, and help you understand your options for responding to the charge.

Have Questions About Hunting Charges?

Whether you have been charged with one hunting offence or several, understanding the exact restricted area rule involved is important.  DefendCharges.ca™ can review your case, explain the charges you are facing, and help you understand your legal options and the best course of action.  Contact us today to discuss your situation.

Key Takeaways

• Hunting is not automatically prohibited in every Ontario provincial park;
• Ontario Regulation 665/98 permits hunting in specified parks and areas when the applicable conditions are satisfied;
• The principal provincial park hunting ticket offences under subsection 9(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and section 104 of Ontario Regulation 665/98 currently carry $200 set fines;
• The exact park boundary, species, season, permit, date, and authorized area can determine whether the hunting was lawful;
• Conservation reserves are treated differently from provincial parks, and special rules apply to the Bruton and Clyde lands associated with Algonquin Provincial Park;
• Hunting and unlawful firearm possession in a provincial park are separate offences; and
• The exact offence wording and disclosure should be reviewed before deciding how to respond.

Conclusion

A Hunting in Provincial Parks charge should be reviewed using the exact offence wording, park or land designation, official boundary, wildlife, date, licence or permit, and the Part XIV rules that applied to that location.  The fact that an incident occurred inside a provincial park does not by itself establish that the hunting was unlawful because Ontario permits hunting in a number of parks and areas under specific conditions.

Before paying the ticket or entering a plea, review the charge, disclosure, maps, GPS information, hunting documents, park permits or site records, possible exceptions or defences, and potential consequences.  Legal representation can help determine whether the applicable provincial park hunting rule was actually breached and whether the evidence proves the offence.