need help with Deer tags

[Ata83]

Hello all,
I have been reading and following the forums for a couple years, first time poster though.

little background about me, I have been hunting once in a while [maybe twice a year] at a friends private land for the past couple of years, and just this year getting serious about it, and exploring public crown lands and parks that allow hunting.

as clear as the hunting regulations are, im still confused and have many questions, I will start with the deer ones here. [For now, im looking to use my shotgun or Rifle, no bows or muzzle loaders yet]

I bought a deer tag when renewing my other licenses, I assume with this I can/could hunt an Antelered Deer, at the WMUs that have an open season for gun ? and I think the time has passed for almost all now ? I hunt in WMUs 85, 73, 60 and 61.

secondly, whats a controller deer hunt ? I see in WMU 85B for example [Hullet] they only offer Controller deer hunt, do I need to enter another draw for this next year ?

and lastly, can I enter both draws for deer tag on wmu 60,61 and also controlled deer tag for say wmu 85b ?

Please feel free to correct me as Im just gathering my thoughts here.

[rick_iles]

The controlled hunt is a specific time when only those who apply and get the controlled validation, are allowed to hunt. Some WMUs have two different hunts. Most controlled hunts are in the south. So, you can buy a deer tag for any antlered deer in any WMU, in your case, where firearms can be used. You can also apply for an antlerless tag in the WMU you want to hunt. You can also apply for a controlled hunt, in any WMU you want to hunt in ..Hope this helps..

[anfield21]

The controlled hunt is a specific time when only those who apply and get the controlled validation, are allowed to hunt. Some WMUs have two different hunts. Most controlled hunts are in the south. So, you can buy a deer tag for any antlered deer in any WMU, in your case, where firearms can be used. You can also apply for an antlerless tag in the WMU you want to hunt. You can also apply for a controlled hunt, in any WMU you want to hunt in ..Hope this helps..

But if he (or I) apply for a deer tag in WMU 65 (for example), can I also apply for a controlled hunt in 91A and be successful in both. Or is it one or the other? I've always wondered this myself.

[Species8472]

But if he (or I) apply for a deer tag in WMU 65 (for example), can I also apply for a controlled hunt in 91A and be successful in both. Or is it one or the other? I've always wondered this myself.

Yes. For example I bought a deer tag valid for a buck anywhere in any open season. Than I applied for a doe in 82a and got it. I also applied for control in 81b and got a buck/ doe validation for the December control hunt. All use the same single tag but once filled with one deer it is no longer valid anywhere.

So if I take a doe in 82a on the first day of bow season that tag is burned for everything.

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Here is where you are at this point in the season.
You can hunt the gun hunt in any area for a buck as long as they have a gun season open and it's not a controlled hunt.

I suggest you take the time to read up on the ins and outs of applying for antlerless seals/additional seals and controlled hunts so you are prepared to secure all your game seals and permits for next season.

Knowing is the majority of the battle and our game seal and permit system in Ontario is really straight forward once your in the know.

[rick_iles]

But if he (or I) apply for a deer tag in WMU 65 (for example), can I also apply for a controlled hunt in 91A and be successful in both. Or is it one or the other? I've always wondered this myself.

You can apply for both, but you only get one tag( unless there are additional tags in that WMU)...so you are limited to hunt one or the other....in my case, I apply for a tag in 93...bows only zone. I also got an additional tag. The additional tag is strictly for bows. My first tag can be used in any WMU for a buck. I can also apply for a controlled hunt in 93, but am limited to my first tag, in that controlled hunt. If I happen to use my original tag before the controlled hunt, and I have been successful in the draw, I can still party hunt with my group....I just don’t have a tag......

[gbk]

The regulations are quite simple and specific.
As the WMUs change ,so may conditions set for the WMU applicable change as well.

Main tag-good everywhere in Ontario,buck only,firearm must be specific to the season open on a given day.Except Controlled deer seasons/areas.See below.
If used up-everything what is "on it"goes with it.
Controlled deer-applicable to many WMUs ,shotgun and muzzleloader(or bows sometimes).Must apply,WMU specific,be drawn-then the validation will tell what You can harvest IN the Controlled season, in the WMU appied for.I think You can apply to ONLY one WMU as first choice,then another WMU as Second choice. You will be given your first choice,unless not drawn.You may be drawn for second choice if unsuccessfull in the first choice.
You CAN NOT hunt in any other Controlled WMU in Controlled season,period. But You can party hunt all Controlled season long with your Controlled hunt buddies,and use up their tag ,if so happens,in the same WMU you have validation for(they have to have the same too).BUT-You can hunt in another WMU in the same week-if that area has NO need to get into Controlled deer draw.
If Controlled season is over,and You did not use your tag-You revert to Your main tag,with conditions applicable to it.

Antlerless deer-You need to pick ONE WMU ,apply for it(if it is available there ).You will use your Main tag -if drawn for antlerless deer. Only in that WMU-and only with firearms specific(some WMU specify You can use antlerless deer in bow only season).If You use your main tag -validated for antlerless deer,the main tag is gone,with everything"on it".
Additional deer tag-there is MAX limit of 7 deer tags /person in a year(including Your main)but the availability is limited,and they are WMU specific(and qty specific in the WMU-like some do not let you get more then 1,some let you buy 2)and firearm secific,and many times antlerless only(but there are areas still, where you can shoot both).

Any tag has all specifics written on it,so hard to miss the :what and where and how.

The regulations do not change-just the WMU specific rules /conditions do.

Firs-pick where You want to hunt-then pick what you want to hunt-then how you wan to hunt it-then apply or buy.
Good luck.

One more thing-there are timelines when you can buy -apply etc,if You miss deadlines, you are out of luck for that year.
Just to mention-All this process repeats every single year.

[longpointer]

So ? Let me get this straight. Who's on First... What's on Second and I Don't Know is on Third.