Wildlife Management Unit · 2026–2027 seasons
WMU 53A hunting seasons
WMU 53A covers about 2,199 km² and takes in Lake of Bays, Huntsville and Bracebridge, in Muskoka District. Its Crown forest falls in the French-Severn Forest and Bancroft-Minden Forest, run from the MNR Minden Parry Sound Bracebridge and Peterborough Bancroft districts. It borders WMUs 46, 49, 50, 53B, 54, 56, 76A and 76B.
Open today for residents
White-tailed Deer in WMU 53A
| 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, November 16 to December 15 | October 1 to November 1, November 16 to December 15 |
- 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
Moose in WMU 53A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows | October 19 to October 25 | No season |
| Bows only | October 3 to October 9 | No season |
- Moose Tags are valid only for the WMU, moose type and season on the tag.
Black Bear in WMU 53A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Spring season | May 1 to June 15 | May 1 to June 15 |
| Fall season | September 8 to November 30 | September 8 to November 30 |
- 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
Wild Turkey in WMU 53A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Spring — shotgun or bow | April 25 to May 31 | April 25 to May 31 |
- Bag limit: one bearded turkey per tag; maximum 2 spring tags.
- Spring hunting is restricted to half an hour before sunrise until 7:00 p.m.
See wild turkey status across every unit · Ontario's wild turkey page
Wolf & Coyote in WMU 53A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf & coyote seasonWolf/Coyote Tag required (2026 tag: September 15 to December 31; 2027 tag: January 1 to March 31).Some geographic townships in WMUs 42, 48, 50, 53A, 54, 55A, 55B, 56, 57 and 58 are closed. | September 15 to March 31 | September 15 to March 31 |
- 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 53A
| 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 53A
| 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 53A
The 2026–2027 summary lists no season in this unit for elk.
Where you can hunt in WMU 53A
An open season tells you when, not where. Inside WMU 53A 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 53A
More in the guide: where you can hunt, Crown Game Preserves and which bush roads you can use.
Units next to WMU 53A
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 53A?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 white-tailed deer seasons in WMU 53A are Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: November 2 to November 15; Bows only: October 1 to November 1, November 16 to December 15. Non-residents have Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: November 2 to November 15; Bows only: October 1 to November 1, November 16 to December 15.
When is moose season in WMU 53A?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 moose seasons in WMU 53A are Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: October 19 to October 25; Bows only: October 3 to October 9. There is no non-resident moose season in this unit.
When is black bear season in WMU 53A?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 black bear seasons in WMU 53A are Spring season: May 1 to June 15; Fall season: September 8 to November 30. Non-residents have Spring season: May 1 to June 15; Fall season: September 8 to November 30.
Where is WMU 53A in Ontario?
WMU 53A takes in Lake of Bays, Huntsville and Bracebridge in Muskoka District, and borders WMUs 46, 49, 50, 53B, 54, 56, 76A and 76B.
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.