New to hunting

[K9-Kit]

Hope someone can help me out. I've always wanted to hunt and I'm trying to get started. So here is a quick question I hope to have answered. I want to go deer hunting with a compound bow. What do I need to do? I believe that because it's a bow, I will not need the firearms safety course. Will I need to take the hunters educational course to obtain my licence. Or can I just go to a Canadian tire to get a licence and a tag?

[Hunter John]

Welcome to the forum K9. yes you will need to pass the hunter safety course before you can obtain a license and tags to hunt and that's a good thing. You are correct that you don't need a firearms license to purchase a bow but before you hunt you will need many hours of practice to ensure you can make a good clean shot.

[K9-Kit]

Thanks for the response. Roughly how long is the course? And do I have to sign up for a class or can I take an online course?

[finsfurfeathers]

I would contact the OFHA for help. Believe there is an online course however do believe there is an in person part and test. Even if you are not going to gun hunt right now I would do the 2 in 1 course and get that said and done. If you want to get into hunting the first thing is to learn patience and not rush anything.

[LowbanksArcher]

You have to sign up for the course. I believe it's 8-10hrs including the final test.

Looks like there's one in Thorold soon.

http://www.ohep.net/ListCourses.cfm

[tweedwolfscream]

There is no online option, you have to take a course in person (see LowbanksArcher's link). If you want to hunt turkeys, that requires a second course on top of OHEP, but that one does have an online option. Passing the OHEP course is what allows you to get a hunting version outdoors card (in your case the H2 version, meaning archery only), which is what you'll need to buy hunting licenses, either by going to Canadian Tire or entering draws.

[Waftrudnir]

unless you have a record that would prevent you from obtaining a firearm, I would strongly advise you to consider doing both courses. there are one-stop courses offered and it is very likely that at some point down the road you will reconsider hunting with a firearm.

[Marker]

K9 - I assume you have a dog, if so what dog do you have?

[K9-Kit]

I have a bull mastiff/lab and a boarder collie/blue healer.

[K9-Kit]

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful replies. I will definitely be signing up for a course as soon as I can.