Wildlife Management Unit · 2026–2027 seasons
WMU 8 hunting seasons
WMU 8 covers about 5,522 km² and takes in Dryden. Its Crown forest falls in the Boundary Waters Forest, Dryden Forest and Wabigoon Forest, run from the MNR Dryden Fort Frances Atikokan and Kenora districts. It borders WMUs 5, 7B and 9A.
Open today for residents
White-tailed Deer in WMU 8
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows | October 10 to December 15 | October 10 to November 15 |
| Muzzle-loaders & bows | October 3 to October 9 | October 3 to October 9 |
| Bows only | September 1 to October 2 | September 19 to October 2 |
- 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
Moose in WMU 8
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows | October 17 to December 15 | October 19 to November 15 |
| Bows only | September 26 to October 16 | September 26 to October 16 |
- Moose Tags are valid only for the WMU, moose type and season on the tag.
Black Bear in WMU 8
| 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 8
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Wolf & coyote seasonWolf/Coyote Tag required (2026 tag: September 15 to December 31; 2027 tag: January 1 to March 31). | 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 8
| 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 5, possession limit of 15. | 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 8
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked pheasantDaily limit of 10, possession limit of 10. | 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 |
| 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 | September 15 to the last day of February | September 15 to the last day of February |
| 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 8
The 2026–2027 summary lists no season in this unit for elk and wild turkey.
Moose population in WMU 8
The province's most recent aerial survey covering this unit (2025) projected about 910 moose: roughly 327 bulls, 428 cows and 132 calves. Tag numbers are set from these estimates, so a unit's population trend is the best predictor of next year's allocation.
Based on one survey of WMUs 5, 8, 9A, 9B (71 plots flown total). Survey estimates, not live animal locations.
Where you can hunt in WMU 8
An open season tells you when, not where. Inside WMU 8 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 8
More in the guide: where you can hunt, Crown Game Preserves and which bush roads you can use.
Units next to WMU 8
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 8?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 white-tailed deer seasons in WMU 8 are Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: October 10 to December 15; Muzzle-loaders & bows: October 3 to October 9; Bows only: September 1 to October 2. Non-residents have Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: October 10 to November 15; Muzzle-loaders & bows: October 3 to October 9; Bows only: September 19 to October 2.
When is moose season in WMU 8?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 moose seasons in WMU 8 are Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: October 17 to December 15; Bows only: September 26 to October 16. Non-residents have Rifles, shotguns, muzzle-loaders & bows: October 19 to November 15; Bows only: September 26 to October 16.
When is black bear season in WMU 8?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 black bear seasons in WMU 8 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 8 in Ontario?
WMU 8 takes in Dryden, and borders WMUs 5, 7B and 9A.
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.