Hunting Licence Suspensions in Ontario:

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Last Updated: September 21 2026

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Question:My hunting licence might be suspended in Ontario after a wildlife charge. What should I do to check if it’s already suspended and avoid hunting while it’s restricted?

Answer:DefendCharges.ca™ can help you quickly assess whether your licence is suspended (often tied to an unpaid qualifying fine under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, s. 105) or affected by a separate court prohibition or cancellation after conviction (for example under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, s. 104) or a refusal to issue licences due to a fine in default ( Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, s. 72.1).  In the meantime, do not go hunting until you confirm your exact status with the ministry and the court record, because hunting while suspended or under a court order can create further issues.  For Ontario paralegal guidance tailored to your charge and current licence position, call (647) 559-3377 at DefendCharges.ca™.

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Hunting Licence Suspensions in Ontario

Facing a hunting charge in Ontario, you may be worried that you have already lost your right to hunt.  Being charged does not automatically suspend your hunting licence.  A licence can be affected later because of a court order after conviction or because a qualifying fine was not paid.

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

Do not panic.  Ontario law uses several different terms that can sound alike.  A suspension temporarily stops a licence from being used, while a cancellation ends an existing licence.  A court can also make an order that temporarily prohibits you from hunting or obtaining a licence.

This page explains when a hunting licence can actually be suspended, how an unpaid fine can cause a suspension, how suspension differs from cancellation, what can happen if you hunt while suspended or while a court order prohibits hunting, what happens after payment, when a conviction can lead to a separate hunting restriction, and what you should do before hunting again.  Hunting Licence Suspensions is part of the Penalties & Court category.

I Have Been Charged.  Is My Hunting Licence Already Suspended?

Usually, no.  The new charge itself does not automatically create the licence suspension discussed on this page.  If your case has not been resolved, check whether an older court order, unpaid fine, previous suspension, cancellation, or another licensing restriction already applies to you.

If your licence is valid and no existing order prevents you from hunting, the fact that you have been charged does not by itself activate the fine default suspension rule.  If you are unsure about your current status, confirm it before hunting.

What Is a Hunting Licence Suspension?

A hunting licence suspension means a licence is temporarily stopped from being used.  Under section 105 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, a licence related to an offence can be suspended when a qualifying fine has gone into default.

A fine in default is a fine, or part of a fine, that is due and has remained unpaid for at least 15 days.  A fine normally becomes due 15 days after it is imposed unless the court gives more time to pay.

When the fine default rules apply, the related licence can be suspended and a licence of that kind can be prevented from being renewed, validated, or issued until the fine is paid.

Why Does This Matter to Your Case?

An unpaid fine can affect more than the amount of money you owe.  It can also affect an existing licence and your ability to obtain another licence.

A separate court order after conviction can also affect your hunting privileges.  That is why you should not assume that every period when you cannot hunt is legally the same kind of suspension.

Before paying a ticket, pleading guilty, ignoring an unpaid fine, or returning to hunting after a restriction, find out exactly which rule applies to you.

What Is the Difference Between Suspension and Cancellation?

Suspension temporarily stops a licence.  Cancellation ends the existing licence.

The unpaid fine rule in section 105 uses the word suspended.  The suspension lasts until the qualifying fine is paid.

Section 104 uses a different system after certain convictions.  It can require or allow the court to cancel an existing licence and make an order preventing the person from hunting, obtaining a licence, or taking part in another regulated activity for a period of time.

The practical result can look similar because both can stop someone from hunting, but the legal reason and what must happen before the person can hunt again are different.

When Can an Unpaid Fine Suspend a Hunting Licence?

A licence suspension for nonpayment can apply when a fine for an offence under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or the federal Fisheries Act is in default.

Section 105 allows an order under section 69 of the Provincial Offences Act that can:

• Suspend a licence under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 that is related to the offence; and
• Prevent a licence of that kind from being renewed, validated, or issued until the fine is paid.

The word related matters.  Section 105 does not say that every licence you hold must automatically be suspended because one qualifying fine is unpaid.

Can the Ministry Refuse to Issue You a Licence Because of an Unpaid Fine?

Yes.  There is a separate rule that can stop you from getting a licence while a qualifying fine remains unpaid.

Section 72.1 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 allows the Minister to refuse to issue a licence, or a component of a licence, under that Act to a person who is in default of a fine imposed under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or the Fisheries Act.

This rule is separate from the section 105 suspension of a licence related to the offence.  If the Ministry asks after the fine is paid, you may have to provide proof that it was paid in full.

How Long Does an Unpaid Fine Suspension Last?

A section 105 fine default suspension lasts until the fine is paid.  It does not use a fixed number of months or years.

Paying the fine removes the unpaid fine basis for that suspension, but it does not cancel a separate court order or another restriction that may also apply.  Keep your payment receipt and confirm that your current licensing status allows you to hunt before returning to the field.

What If You Cannot Pay the Fine on Time?

Do not simply ignore the payment deadline.  Ontario's Provincial Offences Act allows a person to ask for more time to pay a court fine.

If the court gives you more time, the new payment date can affect when the fine becomes due and whether it is in default.  Keep a copy of any order or confirmation giving you an extension.

Can a Conviction Restrict Your Hunting Privileges Even if the Fine Is Paid?

Yes.  A court ordered restriction after conviction is separate from an unpaid fine suspension.

If you are convicted under subsection 16(1) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and the offence involved possession of a firearm for the purpose of hunting or trapping, section 104 can require mandatory hunting licence consequences where that section applies to the proceeding.  Those consequences include cancellation of licences authorizing you to hunt, including a trapping licence, a period when you cannot hunt or obtain a hunting licence, and specified education before you hunt or apply again.

For many other convictions under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, the Fisheries Act, or the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, section 104 can allow the court to restrict a licence or authorization related to the offence and the activity for which it is required, where that provision applies to the proceeding.  If you already hold a licence or authorization covered by that order, the court must cancel it.

Those are cancellation and prohibition rules rather than the fine default suspension in section 105.  The distinction matters when you are trying to find out what happened to your licence and what you must do next.

What If You Are Considering Paying a Ticket or Pleading Guilty?

Find out whether the charge can affect your hunting privileges before you resolve it.  Paying an Ontario Part I offence notice or entering a guilty plea can result in a conviction.

The amount shown on a ticket does not tell you by itself whether a court ordered licence consequence could apply after conviction.  The procedure matters too.  Section 12(2) of the Provincial Offences Act limits some consequences under other Acts when the conviction comes from a proceeding started by an offence notice, commonly called a ticket.  A Part I summons or Part III case can be different, so check the exact charge and procedure before deciding what the result could mean for your hunting privileges.

Can You Hunt While Your Licence Is Suspended?

No.  A suspended hunting licence cannot be used as valid authority to hunt.  If a separate court order also prohibits you from hunting, you must follow that order as well.

Buying another hunting product, using another person's licence, or continuing to hold an Outdoors Card does not give you permission to ignore a suspension or court order.

What Happens if You Hunt While Your Licence Is Suspended?

You can face a new charge if you hunt while your licence is suspended or while a court order says you are not allowed to hunt.  The exact charge depends on why your hunting privileges were restricted and what you were doing.

If your hunting licence was suspended because an unpaid fine went into default, that suspended licence does not give you valid authority to hunt.  If a licence was required for the wildlife you were hunting, hunting anyway can result in a new charge for hunting without the required licence.  The set fine depends on the exact offence, the wildlife involved, and the charge used.

If a court order under section 104 says that you must not hunt during a stated period, hunting during that period can also lead to a new charge for failing to comply with the court order.  Section 104(6) of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 requires a person to comply with an order made under section 104.

There is no separate set fine called "hunting while suspended."  The new charge and possible penalty depend on what rule was broken.  A hunting without a licence charge can have its own set fine, while a failure to comply with a section 104 order does not currently have its own listed set fine in the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act set fine schedule.

Do not return to hunting simply because you believe enough time has passed or because you still have an Outdoors Card.  Confirm that the suspension has ended, any court order no longer prohibits hunting, and your current licence is valid before hunting again.

Does an Appeal Pause a Court Ordered Hunting Restriction?

Not automatically.  Section 104 specifically says that appealing the conviction does not stay, meaning temporarily stop, an order made under that section.

If you are appealing and a section 104 order is already in force, continue to follow it unless a legally effective court direction changes what you must do.

What Happens to Your Outdoors Card?

Your Outdoors Card is not the same thing as your hunting licence.  It identifies you in Ontario's licensing system but does not by itself authorize a particular hunt.

Section 8 of Ontario Regulation 665/98 requires you to return your Outdoors Card immediately if the Ministry asks for it after a licence has been cancelled or suspended by a court order under section 104 or 105.

Is There a Set Fine for a Hunting Licence Suspension?

No.  There is no separate set fine simply because your hunting licence has been suspended.  The suspension is a consequence, not a separate hunting offence.

The underlying offence may have its own set fine or another possible penalty.  A set fine is the preset fine used when a particular offence is dealt with through the applicable ticket procedure.

Hunting while suspended is different.  If you hunt without the required valid licence, you can face a new hunting without a licence charge.  If you hunt contrary to a section 104 court order, you can also face a new charge for failing to comply with that order.  The exact fine or possible sentence depends on the charge and court procedure used.

What Records Should You Keep?

Keep the documents that show why your licence was restricted and whether the restriction has ended.  Useful records include:

• Your ticket, summons, and exact offence section;
• The court decision and any licence related order;
• Your Outdoors Card, Licence Summary, and Ministry licensing records;
• Any order giving you more time to pay a fine;
• Receipts showing that a fine was paid; and
• Records showing completion of any education or testing required by a court order.

What Legal Issues Should You Check?

The most important question is why your hunting privileges are restricted.  Check:

• Whether this is actually a suspension: Is your licence suspended because a qualifying fine is in default, or was it cancelled under a separate court order?
• Whether the fine is really in default: Is an amount due, has it remained unpaid for at least 15 days, and was any extension of time granted?
• Whether the suspended licence is related to the offence: Section 105 requires that connection;
• Whether the fine has been paid: Keep proof of payment and check that your licensing status has been updated;
• Whether another court order still applies: Paying a fine does not end a separate prohibition or education requirement; and
• Whether hunting during the restriction created a new charge: The issue may be hunting without the required licence, failing to comply with a court order, or both depending on the facts.

What About Federal Migratory Bird Charges?

A federal migratory bird conviction can lead to a different kind of Ontario licence order, but the fine default suspension rule is different.  Section 104 can allow an Ontario court to restrict a related licence or authorization after a conviction under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

Section 105 and section 72.1, however, refer to unpaid fines under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 or the Fisheries Act.  Do not assume that an unpaid federal migratory bird fine creates the same Ontario fine default suspension.

What Law Applies?

Section 105 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 is the main Ontario rule for suspending a related licence because a qualifying fine is in default.  Section 69 of the Provincial Offences Act explains when a fine is in default and provides for the licence suspension order where another Act authorizes it.

Section 72.1 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 separately allows the Minister to refuse to issue a licence or licence component while a qualifying fine remains in default.

Section 104 contains the separate cancellation and court order rules that can apply after certain convictions, and section 104(6) requires a person to comply with an order made under that section.  Section 12(2) of the Provincial Offences Act can limit some consequences under other Acts when a conviction comes from a proceeding initiated by an offence notice.  Section 8 of Ontario Regulation 665/98 deals with returning an Outdoors Card when the Ministry requests it after a court ordered cancellation or suspension under section 104 or 105.

If a person hunts while a licence is suspended, the underlying licensing provisions can also become important because hunting without the required valid licence can result in a separate charge.

What Should You Do Next?

First, find out exactly why your hunting privileges are restricted.  Check whether the issue is an unpaid fine suspension, a cancelled licence, a court ordered hunting prohibition, or another licensing problem.

If the issue is an unpaid fine, check the amount due, whether any extension applies, and whether the fine has been in default long enough for the suspension rule to operate.  If you have paid it, keep proof and confirm your licensing status.

If a court order is involved, get a copy and check what licence or activity it covers, how long it lasts, and whether any education or other requirements remain.  If you hunted while the restriction was still in force, do not assume that the only issue is the original charge because a new offence may also be involved.

Do not return to hunting until you are sure that your current licence is valid and every applicable restriction has ended.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can review the wording on your ticket, summons, court order, licence records, or Ministry correspondence and identify why your hunting privileges may be restricted.  This can help determine whether the issue is a fine default suspension, a cancellation, another court ordered restriction, or a new charge arising from hunting during the restriction.

If the matter proceeds through court, DefendCharges.ca™ can explain the legal effect of the charge or order, review the available evidence and payment records, discuss the possible consequences, and help you understand what steps may be available.

Have Questions About Hunting Charges?

Whether you have been charged with one hunting offence or several, understanding your legal options 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

• Being charged does not by itself automatically suspend your hunting licence;
• An actual fine default suspension can apply to a licence related to an offence when a qualifying fine remains unpaid;
• A fine is in default when an amount that is due has remained unpaid for at least 15 days;
• A section 105 suspension lasts until the fine is paid;
• Cancellation and a court ordered hunting prohibition are different from a fine default suspension;
• Hunting while suspended or contrary to a court order can result in a new charge; and
• Before hunting again, confirm that your licence is valid and every restriction that applies to you has ended.

Conclusion

If you are worried about a hunting licence suspension in Ontario, the most important step is to find out why your licence or hunting privileges are restricted.  An unpaid fine suspension, a licence cancellation, and a court ordered hunting prohibition are different legal consequences.

If you hunt while a suspension or court order is still in force, you can create a new legal problem in addition to the original case.  Check the exact charge, fine status, court order, and Ministry licensing records before returning to hunting.  If the reason for the restriction or a possible new charge is unclear, legal advice can help you determine what rule applies and what steps are available.