Points-based moose tag allocation process

 Overview In 2021, the moose tag draw will be replaced by a points-based tag allocation process to distribute moose tags among resident hunters.
The tag allocation process will begin in April 2021 and will consist of a primary allocation stage and a second chance allocation stage.
All hunters will apply as individuals. There are no group applications.
This new allocation process:

• addresses concerns about fairness
• distributes all tag types to resident hunters
• allows hunters to purchase only the products they need
• increases hunters' ability to predict when they are likely to be awarded a tag
• gives hunters more choices when applying
• lets hunters decide whether to apply using their points or to gain a point
• allows hunters awarded a tag the ability to decide whether to claim it
• provides most allocation results much earlier
• continues to provide Northern resident hunters with a small preference by receiving one additional (non-accumulating) point
• supports moose hunter recruitment and retention
• eliminates surplus tag distribution and provides a second chance allocation
• does not allow tag transfers (except in exceptional circumstances)

Benefits of the new moose tag allocation process
Addresses concerns about fairness
• All hunters will apply as individuals. There will be no group applications.
• Hunters will be allocated most tags based on the number of points they have accumulated since 1993.
• Initially, the hunters that have applied the most times since last receiving an adult tag through the draw or a tag transfer will have the most points and are more likely to be awarded their choice of tag.
• If a hunter claims a tag awarded based on points, their points will reset to zero.
• There will no longer be pools 1 and 2.
• There will be no pooling of points among multiple hunters.

Distributes all tag types to resident hunters
• Ontario residents may apply for bull, cow/calf, or calf tags. Calf tags will no longer be issued with a moose licence. Learn more at Ontario.ca/moosereview.
• Non-residents can only acquire their own tag to hunt moose by purchasing a hunt from a tourist outfitter.
• Resident hunters can also acquire a tag or party hunt on a tag as registered guests of a tourist outfitter.
• No hunter can be issued more than one tag per year.

Allows hunters to purchase only the products they need
• Hunters will pay $15 to apply for a tag instead of being required to buy a moose licence before applying.
• The cost of a resident moose licence will be reduced from $50 to $35.
• Moose tags will cost $30 for calf tags, $150 for cow/calf tags and $200 for bull tags. These prices reflect hunter demand and ensure continued support for the management of this valuable resource.
• Learn more about the benefits of the licensing and fee changes at Ontario.ca/moosereview.

Increases hunters’ ability to predict when they are likely to be awarded a tag
• In the past tag draw system, most tags were issued by random draw.
• In the points-based process, the MNRF will not set the point total required to be awarded each tag type, this will be determined by the point totals of the applicants at each choice in the process and the number of tags available.
• The MNRF will publish the minimum points that were needed to be awarded each tag type in the previous year beginning in 2022. • While the points required for each tag type are likely to change somewhat from year to year, it will give hunters a good idea of how many points will be required for each and allow them to apply strategically.

Gives hunters more choices when applying
• The past tag draw system limited hunters to apply for two choices of tag type (i.e. combination of Wildlife Management Unit (WMU), moose type and season.
• The new process will consist of two tag allocation stages and will give hunters the ability to enter up to three choices in each stage.

Lets hunters decide whether to apply using their points or to gain a point
• Tags will be awarded based on points in considering all three choices (or steps) in the primary allocation, and the first choice (step) in the second chance allocation.
• Claiming a tag awarded based on points resets a hunter’s points to zero.
• Hunters that want to accumulate a point can select the fictitious WMU “99Z” with their first choice in either the primary or second chance allocation.
• Tags that remain available in the second and third choices of the second chance allocation will be allocated through a random draw. If a hunter claims one of these tags, they will retain their points and gain a point.

Allows hunters awarded a tag the ability to decide whether to claim it
• Hunters that want a tag they have been awarded will claim it by purchasing the tag and their moose licence before the tag claim deadline.
• The tag claim deadline after the primary allocation will be a hard deadline in early June with no exceptions.
• The tag claim deadline after the second chance allocation will be the last day of the season the tag is valid for.
• If you do not claim a tag you have been awarded, you will retain your points and gain a point.
• The ability to decide not to claim a tag will allow parties of hunters to not hold more than their desired number of tags.

Provides most allocation results much earlier
• Tags will only be available in the second chance allocation if they were not applied for or went unclaimed in the primary allocation, so “high demand” tags will most likely all be awarded in the primary allocation.
• The results of the primary allocation where high demand tags will be allocated will be available to hunters in mid-May, much earlier than the past availability of draw results in early August, allowing most hunters more time to plan their hunt.
• The results of the second chance allocation will be available in early August.

Continues to provide Northern resident hunters with a small preference
• Northern resident hunters will continue to receive a small preference by receiving one additional point (non-accumulating) in choices they enter for a northern Wildlife Management Unit (WMUs 1-42).
• This small preference replaces the Northern Resident Draw.

Supports moose hunter recruitment and retention
• Tags that remain unallocated when evaluating the second and third choices of the second chance allocation are typically lower demand tags.
• Allocating these lower demand tags through a random draw helps provide hunters with low point totals such as new hunters, or those that recently claimed a tag awarded based on points and had their points reset to zero, the chance to receive a tag while accumulating points towards a high demand tag.

Eliminates surplus tag distribution and provides a second chance allocation
• Tags that were not applied for or went unclaimed in the primary allocation will be available in a second chance allocation.
• Hunters can apply to the second chance allocation whether or not they applied to the primary allocation. The $15 application fee only needs to be paid once.
• The second chance allocation is a fairer way to allocate lower demand tags than the past distribution of surplus tags using a “first-come, first-served” phone-in system.

Does not allow tag transfers (except in exceptional circumstances)
• Tag transfers will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness, injury or death of the tag holder or an immediate family member) and will require an application to the MNRF with supporting documentation.
​ • Not allowing tag transfers increases fairness by discouraging “ghost hunters” (hunters who do not hunt moose but whose credentials are used by moose hunters to increase their chances of acquiring a tag).​