HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Outdoor sports can be like any other hobby. You can spend as much or as little as you would like too!

Startup costs

LICENSES & Courses

In Ontario, licenses are needed to hunt, fish, boat and own firearms and this is true of most places.  Please check the regulations in your area for details.  Ontario has a hunting education program that all hunters need to take before they can get there hunting outdoors card.  This course allows people to hunt with a bow or with guns.  If using guns an additional firearms safety course also know as a PAL course is needed in order to apply for your PAL (Possession and Acquisition Licence).   Once the Hunting Education course is complete you can purchase the tags needed for each species you wish to hunt.  These tags are purchased every year.  There are two types of fishing licenses: conservation and sport.  Sport license cost more but allow you to keep more fish.   There are also free fishing weeks meaning you can fish without a license. Many tags and fishing licenses can be purchased at local pro shops, Canadian Tire, some Service Ontario offices and online.

For information on our up coming courses please click the line below

TARGET/PISTOL SHOOTING

In order to shoot pistols in Ontario you must have your RPAL (Possession and Acquisition Licence with Restricted privileges) in order to own a pistol. This will require an additional safety course. In order to shoot your pistol you will need to join a local gun range. The will also require you to do a safety course/tour to know the individual range rules and safety features. This sport can get very pricey but not because of the cost of a pistol or the courses.  The pistol and courses is an initial investment but it’s the cost of ammunition that adds up fast depending on your caliber.  For that reason many people choose to use a 22 caliber pistol for the mass amount of shooting.  The ammunition can be bought in bulk and can be less than $0.10 per round.  This caliber also has little to no recoil and you can pick up good used pistols at a good price.  

TARGET CLAY SHOOTING

There are a variety of shot guns that can be used for clay shooting.  A 12 or 20 gauge shot gun is best and it can be a single shot or multiple shot it just depends what sport and the place you are shooting.  There are a lot of options for new and used gun giving the opportunity to find something in your price range.

ARCHERY

There are a lot of types of bows and for the sake of ease I’m going to break them into traditional, compound and cross bows.  I have seen some adult traditional bows priced around $170. Keep in mind you would still need to buy arrows, case and a few other small things.  I have seen a kit for around $300.   Many compound bows come bare meaning in addition you need to buy the bow arrows and such. You would also need a rest and sight but I have seen ready to hunt packages that some with sights, rests and a stabilizer for $350.  Keep mind when you buy a bow you will need to buy something that fits you in terms of your draw length, (how far the string is pulled back) and draw weight (hard it is to pull the bow back).

FISHING

I have seen some rod and reel combos for as low as $30 and you can grab lures and tackle boxes at the dollar store.  With fishing you want to know what you are going to be fishing for before you buy.  Different fish need different lures and line strength.  It will be hard to keep a huge Muskie on a line meant for a little crappie. 

HUNTING

This is harder to ball park for you.  There are a lot of options and what you need depends on where, when and what you will be hunting.  My suggestion would be go to a local pro shop once you figure out what you want to hunt.  Spring turkey animal is a great one to start with.  In late April the weather starts to get nicer so light camo is usually good and you can hunt turkey with shot guns or bows.  Just check your local regulations. 

Tips for getting started on a budget

·         Do some research and know what direction you want to go

·         Talk to your local shops and see if they can give you a payment plan

·         Wait for preseason sales

·         Look for starter packages

·         Look for deals on used equipment Kijiji and other shopping sites

·         Go to some local trade shows and shops on demo days