Wildlife Management Unit · 2026–2027 seasons
WMU 88 hunting seasons
WMU 88 covers about 1,695 km² and takes in Hamilton, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Lincoln, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara-On-The-Lake and Hamilton and 5 other municipalities, in Niagara Region. It borders WMUs 79D, 87D, 87E, 89A and 89B.
Open today for residents
White-tailed Deer in WMU 88
| Season | Resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Bows only | October 1 to December 31 | No season |
- 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
Wild Turkey in WMU 88
| 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 88
| 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 88
| 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 88
| 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 88
The 2026–2027 summary lists no season in this unit for moose, elk and black bear.
Where you can hunt in WMU 88
An open season tells you when, not where. Inside WMU 88 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 88
More in the guide: where you can hunt, Crown Game Preserves and which bush roads you can use.
Units next to WMU 88
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 88?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 white-tailed deer seasons in WMU 88 are Bows only: October 1 to December 31. There is no non-resident white-tailed deer season in this unit.
When is wild turkey season in WMU 88?
For Ontario residents, the 2026–2027 wild turkey seasons in WMU 88 are Spring — shotgun or bow: April 25 to May 31. Non-residents have Spring — shotgun or bow: April 25 to May 31.
Where is WMU 88 in Ontario?
WMU 88 takes in Hamilton, Lincoln, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Lincoln and Niagara-On-The-Lake in Niagara Region, and borders WMUs 79D, 87D, 87E, 89A and 89B.
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.