MNR is looking at the guide rules in Rainy River

https://ero.ontario.ca/index.php/notice/019-4970
This won’t matter to most of you. Currently, in the Rainy River District (we don’t have counties up here), non resident deer hunters are required to have a Licenced guide (1 guide/2hunters). Guide licences are $10 and any Ontario Resident can get one. Guides don’t have to be with the hunters… just “contactable”. The hunters don’t even have to lodge with the guides either. It’s a pretty loose system but was intended to cap the number of NR hunters, including day-trippers. It’s not perfect but seemed to do what was intended. The system has been around a long time and the MNR is getting finally reviewing it. I suspect that they will change the system and have NR hunters stay at lodges or have to enter a draw.
Attachment 43227

Sam

Ironic I posted the EBR about an hour before u posted this. But if anyone hunts northwestern ontario this will be of interest as other than Rainy River there is no regulation requirement for guiding nr deer hunters. Big impacts across nw ontario

Tightening the regulations governing non-resident hunters is long overdue. Use of an outfitter lodge should be a very minimum requirement. Non-residents should be required to use a guide service and be accompanied at all times to ensure regulatory compliance at the very least.

Absolutely.

As far as I know, non-residents can hunt the rest of Ontario without a guide. Not sure how many do though. Some units, like around Thunder Bay, don’t have open seasons for non-residents.

The guide requirement only applies to the territorial district of Rainy River which, more or less, includes Atikokan, Fort Frances, Sioux Narrows. Non-residents can hunt without guides around Kenora and Dryden without a guide, but there are Crown land camping restrictions which forces them to use motels. Many Americans own property (160+ acre parcels) in proximity to the town of Rainy River. Presently, they can’t hunt their own land without hiring a guide. I can foresee a lot of squawking from them if they are forced to stay at a lodge. Many will be forced to sell their properties, possibly at a loss. Some have built nice camps!

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Tightening the regulations governing non-resident hunters is long overdue. Use of an outfitter lodge should be a very minimum requirement. Non-residents should be required to use a guide service and be accompanied at all times to ensure regulatory compliance at the very least.

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Agreed

Not being nasty-but the US hunters are likely the majority of the NR hunters.

USA teems with hot deer spots.So-why come to Ontario?

Price,more opportinities for deer to be harvested in a season, affordability, closeness,relax atmosphere,laid back rules-You name it.
Ontario hunters deserve a level of protection ,i would say.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

Tightening the regulations governing non-resident hunters is long overdue. Use of an outfitter lodge should be a very minimum requirement. Non-residents should be required to use a guide service and be accompanied at all times to ensure regulatory compliance at the very least.

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I’m a little torn on this. I agree to a point but there should be exceptions for someone hunting with a relative.
My brother born in Ontario moved to Alberta. I would like to be able to have him to my hunt camp. He would have to buy a non resident tag but otherwise I think I should be able to host him

I was able to go hunting in Alberta with him as my hunter host and I’d like to be able to do the same. If that was a extra fee for me that’s ok but he shouldn’t be forced to hire a guide and stay somewhere else

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Originally Posted by FishHog

I’m a little torn on this. I agree to a point but there should be exceptions for someone hunting with a relative.
My brother born in Ontario moved to Alberta. I would like to be able to have him to my hunt camp. He would have to buy a non resident tag but otherwise I think I should be able to host him

I was able to go hunting in Alberta with him as my hunter host and I’d like to be able to do the same. If that was a extra fee for me that’s ok but he shouldn’t be forced to hire a guide and stay somewhere else

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Agreed! That should be the only exception,but,it must be verifiable to prevent abuse.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

As far as I know, non-residents can hunt the rest of Ontario without a guide. Not sure how many do though. Some units, like around Thunder Bay, don’t have open seasons for non-residents.

The guide requirement only applies to the territorial district of Rainy River which, more or less, includes Atikokan, Fort Frances, Sioux Narrows. Non-residents can hunt without guides around Kenora and Dryden without a guide, but there are Crown land camping restrictions which forces them to use motels. Many Americans own property (160+ acre parcels) in proximity to the town of Rainy River. Presently, they can’t hunt their own land without hiring a guide. I can foresee a lot of squawking from them if they are forced to stay at a lodge. Many will be forced to sell their properties, possibly at a loss. Some have built nice camps!

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Makes one wonder if the changes will bring the deer regs in line with the moose regs, where NR hunters are concerned.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FishHog

I’m a little torn on this. I agree to a point but there should be exceptions for someone hunting with a relative.
My brother born in Ontario moved to Alberta. I would like to be able to have him to my hunt camp. He would have to buy a non resident tag but otherwise I think I should be able to host him

I was able to go hunting in Alberta with him as my hunter host and I’d like to be able to do the same. If that was a extra fee for me that’s ok but he shouldn’t be forced to hire a guide and stay somewhere else

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I belive Alberta has 2 levels of NR hunters- NR and NR alien.
NR being Canadian,from another province.NR alien is everyone else-from any country.
Much different rules for the 2 levels.

Hear Ya-Hope Ontario would go same route

Not too long ago, non resident property owners (1 per parcel) and NR hunters who have Ontario relatives could enter the moose draw for a tag in the unit where their property is located. Now, all NR moose hunters have to hunt with an outfitter. I can foresee deer hunting following a similar path.

In the 1990’s, some friends and I used to drive out to Saskatchewan to hunt deer. Like other provinces, they made a distinction between non-resident aliens and non-resident Canadians. Although we didn’t hunt through an outfitter, he stayed at motels and bed and breakfasts, so we did support local businesses. They changed the rules about 12 years ago and now Non-resident Canadians have to enter a draw. The system gives preference to hunters who have Saskatchewan relatives and there aren’t many tags per WMU e.g. 50. Non resident aliens can only hunt the northern half of the province which is mostly forests.

I hunt in Michigan and am glad I don't need to hire a guide! lol

I don't think its necessary.

I don’t think it’s necessary either. Many states with excellent deer hunting allow for non resident alien freelance hunting. There is plenty of good border state hunting to be had with lots of public land available for any Canadian wanting to avail themselves of it. I’m planning an antelope hunt in 2024, and have plans to hunt both PA and NY over the next 2 seasons. I can’t think of a reason we shouldn’t extend the same courtesy to our American neighbours.