Wildlife Management Unit · 2026–2027 seasons
WMU 72A hunting seasons
WMU 72A covers about 3,282 km² and takes in Clarington, Alnwick/Haldimand, Port Hope, Alnwick/Haldimand, Hamilton, Hamilton, Port Hope and Cobourg and 2 other municipalities, in Durham Region and Northumberland County. It borders WMUs 70, 71, 72B and 73.
Open today for residents
White-tailed Deer in WMU 72A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bowsRifles are not permitted during the open resident and non-resident seasons in this WMU. | November 2 to November 15 | November 2 to November 15 |
| Muzzle-loaders & bows | November 30 to December 6 | November 30 to December 6 |
| Bows only | October 1 to November 1, November 16 to November 29, December 7 to December 31 | October 1 to November 1, November 16 to November 29, December 7 to December 31 |
- 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.
- 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 72A
| 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 72A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Spring — shotgun or bow | April 25 to May 31 | April 25 to May 31 |
| Fall — shotgun or bow | October 13 to October 25 | October 13 to October 25 |
| Fall — bow only | October 1 to October 31 | October 1 to October 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.
- Bag limit: one wild turkey; only 1 fall tag per hunter.
See wild turkey status across every unit · Ontario's wild turkey page
Wolf & Coyote in WMU 72A
| 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 72A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Ruffed grouse only (no spruce grouse season)Daily limit of 2 and possession limit of 6. | September 25 to December 31 | September 25 to December 31 |
See ruffed & spruce grouse status across every unit · Ontario's ruffed & spruce grouse page
Other Small Game & Furbearers in WMU 72A
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked pheasantDaily limit of 3, possession limit of 10. | September 25 to December 31 | September 25 to December 31 |
| Gray (Hungarian) partridgeDaily limit of 5, possession limit of 15. | September 25 to December 31 | September 25 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 25 to the last day of February | September 25 to the last day of February |
| Snowshoe (varying) hareDaily limit of 2, possession limit of 6. | September 25 to the last day of February | September 25 to the last day of February |
| Gray (black) & fox squirrelCombined daily limit of 5, possession limit of 15. | September 25 to December 31 | September 25 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 72A
The 2026–2027 summary lists no season in this unit for moose and elk.
Where you can hunt in WMU 72A
An open season tells you when, not where. Inside WMU 72A 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 72A
More in the guide: where you can hunt, Crown Game Preserves and which bush roads you can use.
Units next to WMU 72A
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 72A?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 white-tailed deer seasons in WMU 72A are Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: November 2 to November 15; Muzzle-loaders & bows: November 30 to December 6; Bows only: October 1 to November 1, November 16 to November 29, December 7 to December 31. Non-residents have Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: November 2 to November 15; Muzzle-loaders & bows: November 30 to December 6; Bows only: October 1 to November 1, November 16 to November 29, December 7 to December 31.
When is black bear season in WMU 72A?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 black bear seasons in WMU 72A 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.
When is wild turkey season in WMU 72A?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 wild turkey seasons in WMU 72A are Spring — shotgun or bow: April 25 to May 31; Fall — shotgun or bow: October 13 to October 25; Fall — bow only: October 1 to October 31. Non-residents have Spring — shotgun or bow: April 25 to May 31; Fall — shotgun or bow: October 13 to October 25; Fall — bow only: October 1 to October 31.
Where is WMU 72A in Ontario?
WMU 72A takes in Clarington, Alnwick/Haldimand, Port Hope, Alnwick/Haldimand, Hamilton and Hamilton in Durham Region and Northumberland County, and borders WMUs 70, 71, 72B and 73.
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.