Wildlife Management Unit · 2026–2027 seasons
WMU 44 hunting seasons
WMU 44 covers about 492 km² and takes in Northeastern Manitoulin and The Islands and Cockburn Island. It borders WMUs 37 and 43A.
Open today for residents
White-tailed Deer in WMU 44
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows | November 2 to November 15 | November 2 to November 15 |
| Bows only | October 1 to November 1 | October 1 to November 1 |
- Use of dogs is not permitted in WMUs 5, 8, 10, 43A, 43B, 44, 45, 65, 71, 72A, 73, 75, 82A, 82B, 83A and 84.
- Landowner's written permission is required on private property in WMUs 43A, 43B and 44.
- Use of dogs is not permitted during the Bows Only seasons.
See white-tailed deer status across every unit · Ontario's white-tailed deer page
Black Bear in WMU 44
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Spring season | May 1 to June 15 | May 1 to June 15 |
| Fall season | August 15 to October 31 | August 15 to October 31 |
- Shooting cubs or female bears accompanied by a cub is not permitted during the spring season.
See black bear status across every unit · Ontario's black bear page
Wolf & Coyote in WMU 44
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf & coyote seasonNo tag required. | All year | All year |
- Hunting is closed in areas within and surrounding Algonquin, Killarney, Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands and Kawartha Highlands provincial parks to protect Eastern wolf — several geographic townships in the tag-required WMUs are closed.
- Maximum 2 Wolf/Coyote Tags per calendar year where tags are required.
See wolf & coyote status across every unit · Ontario's wolf & coyote page
Ruffed & Spruce Grouse in WMU 44
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffed & spruce grouseCombined daily limit of 5 and possession limit of 15. | September 15 to December 31 | September 15 to December 31 |
| Sharp-tailed grouseDaily limit of 2, possession limit of 6. | September 15 to December 31 | September 15 to December 31 |
See ruffed & spruce grouse status across every unit · Ontario's ruffed & spruce grouse page
Other Small Game & Furbearers in WMU 44
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked pheasantDaily limit of 10, possession limit of 10. | September 15 to December 31 | September 15 to December 31 |
| Gray (Hungarian) partridgeDaily limit of 5, possession limit of 15. | September 15 to December 31 | September 15 to December 31 |
| Double-crested cormorantDaily limit of 15 and no possession limit. | September 15 to December 31 | September 15 to December 31 |
| Cottontail & European hareDaily limit of 5, possession limit of 15. | September 15 to March 31 | September 15 to March 31 |
| Snowshoe (varying) hareDaily limit of 5, possession limit of 15. | September 15 to March 31 | September 15 to March 31 |
| Gray (black) & fox squirrelCombined daily limit of 5, possession limit of 15. | September 15 to December 31 | September 15 to December 31 |
| Raccoon & opossum | October 5 to January 31 | October 5 to January 31 |
| Red fox & skunk | All year | All year |
| Weasel | October 25 to the last day of February | October 25 to the last day of February |
- Furbearing mammals — harvested under a Small Game Licence.
- Furbearing mammal — harvested under a Small Game Licence.
See other small game & furbearers status across every unit · Ontario's other small game & furbearers page
No open season in WMU 44
The 2026–2027 summary lists no season in this unit for moose, elk and wild turkey.
Where you can hunt in WMU 44
An open season tells you when, not where. Inside WMU 44 you still need Crown land that is open to hunting, or written permission on private land. Provincial parks, conservation reserves, Crown Game Preserves and township closures are all off limits even when the season is open.
The CrownAccess map draws that answer as its own free layer: Crown land where policy supports hunting, with private land, parks, reserves and game preserves already removed. Turn on Private land and Crown roads alongside it to plan access.
Open huntable Crown land in WMU 44
More in the guide: where you can hunt, Crown Game Preserves and which bush roads you can use.
Units next to WMU 44
Seasons change at the boundary, which can be a road you drive across without noticing.
Common questions
When is white-tailed deer season in WMU 44?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 white-tailed deer seasons in WMU 44 are Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: November 2 to November 15; Bows only: October 1 to November 1. Non-residents have Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: November 2 to November 15; Bows only: October 1 to November 1.
When is black bear season in WMU 44?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 black bear seasons in WMU 44 are Spring season: May 1 to June 15; Fall season: August 15 to October 31. Non-residents have Spring season: May 1 to June 15; Fall season: August 15 to October 31.
Where is WMU 44 in Ontario?
WMU 44 takes in Northeastern Manitoulin and The Islands and Cockburn Island, and borders WMUs 37 and 43A.
Effective April 1, 2026 (hunting seasons shown span April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027). Source: 2026 Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and Ontario's in-season updates. This guide is a convenient reference only, not a legal document. Always confirm with the official Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary before you hunt.