New outdoor cards, Turkey Validation???

I just got off the phone with the MNR as I received my new outdoors card and although on my old card I noticed the new did not have the "T" printed on the card signifying that I have had the Turkey hunting course.

I called to inquire and was informed that the "T" will no longer be printed as they will be including the turkey course with the Hunter Education course.
From now an a small game license will mean you have taken the Turkey course. I was told this was a last minute change and that is why the paperwork I received with my renewed card still states that the "T" must be present on the card to purchase a turkey license.

Now to me this seems like a sensible thing to do and I am sure will save some MNR revenue for the separate course training events. Most likely the MNR will also increase the cost for the hunter safety course at the same time to cover the loss of the course fees they were charging.

My question however is, has anyone recently taken the hunters safety course and if so did it include the turkey hunting course? If not I see a loophole here where individuals obtaining their outdoors card now will be able to buy a small game license and as per the MNR as of now the small game also allows you to purchase a turkey license going forward.

I also called because of the missing "T" and was told that the MNR was simply using up old stock cards that didn't contain the "T". A check assured me that a turkey accreditation is on file. "?"......

so with this "loophole" all existing hunters now have successfully completed their turkey course.... wow.... just wow..

So i'm not sure where i fall into this. I took the hunter course earlier this month. I was going to grab the turkey dvd but there was a big notice on the website that the rules were being amended and i should wait.

So as best as i can tell, i should be able to buy a turkey tag in the spring. But part of me wonders since there was no turkey info on the course i took am i caught in the middle?

i think with how the cards are done now you just successfully completed your turkey course.... i would call and i don't know if you would get an accurate answer for this.

something is wrong with this picture

As of January first the turkey course will be combined into the hunters safety education course. People who have taken the hunters safety prior to jan 1 will still have to get the dvd and take the test. No loop hole here people

This is not the way i heard it on another forum. I heard they're completely doing away with the qualification required to get a turkey seal/tag. But they would incorporate information into the hunting course going forward.

I guess i'll find out when i go to buy a seal/tag in the spring.

Thanks for the clarity Dan, the guy at the MNR did not at all sound like he was clear on what they were going to do.

Seems the registry states that the requirement has been removed completely ...as per the exert from the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

Suds




Regulation Decision Notice:
Title:
Amendments to Ontario Regulation 665/98 (Hunting) and Ontario Regulation 670/98 (Open Seasons) made under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to enhance and modernize Ontario’s wild turkey hunting program.
 
EBR Registry Number:   012-8597
Ministry:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Date Decision loaded to the Registry:
December 22, 2016
Date Proposal loaded to the Registry:
September 19, 2016
 

 

Keyword(s):   Fish and Wildlife  |  Conservation
 
Decision on Regulation:

A decision was made to proceed with the proposed regulatory changes as follows.
Amendments to O. Reg. 670/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) were made through O. Reg. 443/16, to implement the following changes:
• A spring wild turkey hunting season will now been opened in WMU 36
• A fall wild turkey hunting season will be opened in WMU 94.
• A fall bows-only hunting season for wild turkey will be open in fall 2017 from October 1-31 in all Wildlife Management Units that have a fall firearm wild turkey hunting season.
• The opening date of the spring wild turkey hunting season will be April 25th every year.
In addition, O. Reg. 665/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) was amended through O. Reg. 442/16, to implement the following changes:
• The wild turkey hunter education course requirement has been eliminated and key components will be combined with the broader Ontario hunter education course.
• Shot size number 7 can now be used for wild turkey hunting in addition to shot sizes 4, 5 and 6.
• The minimum bow requirements for hunting wild turkey have been clarified in the regulations to match the requirements for white-tailed deer (e.g. minimum draw weight and length).
The regulations were filed by the Registrar of Regulations on December 8, 2016 and will take effect January 1, 2017.

Comment(s) Received on the Proposal:   224
Public Consultation on the proposal for this decision was provided for 45 Days, from September 19, 2016 to November 03, 2016.
As a result of public consultation on the proposal, the Ministry received a total of 224 comments: 2 comments were received in writing and 222 were received online.
Additionally, a copy of all comments are available for public viewing by contacting the Contact person listed in this notice.

From: Ontario OUT OF DOORS • 10 days ago

"If you have already completed the Ontario Hunter Education Program and
possess a valid H1 or H2 Outdoors Card and a valid Small Game Licence you
are now eligible to purchase a Turkey Licence."