Hunting with a 12.5" shotgun, legal or not?

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Buddha125

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Got into a conversation at work today with a couple of other guys, one a hunter and one not. I mentioned that I was going to go check out my game camera after work and, half jokingly, said that I might bring along my 12.5" DA Grizzly shotgun and a little bird shot just in case a grouse or rabbit crossed my path, as they often do. Their reaction was 'well, you can't do that, that's not legal!' One of them went on to call it a "sawed-off" even though I explained that it is a non-restricted firearm. I did some research, including searching the forums, and I found nothing in the Ontario hunting regs or any were else that dictates the length of barrel for a hunting shotgun so I thought I would put it out here and see what everyone's thoughts were.

to keep it on track:
1: I'm in Ontario
2: I understand that any shotgun would require a mag plug to limit to 2+1 rounds

Looking forward to your input!
 
You were talking to a fudd. You should be good to go from a Federal perspective. I'm not up to snuff on Ontario hunting regs, but it sounds like you've got the standard ones covered.
 
you were dealing with fidiots you leagal as long as it has proper plug for three.its a non restricted fire arm so your good to go.make sure you have your game permits and as long as you have a valid black bear tag and orange on hat or vest you can carry slugs or buckshot.otherwise carry only bird shot for small game only.
 
Legal to do, but rather impractical..... I have an 18.5 and I don't even like hunting with that. If I'm going to do a job, use the right tools.

As for calling the others fudd's, I think that is quite a stretch. I have met a number of people who were unaware 12.5 shotguns were legal. They all thought they were prohibs - and they are firearms owners as well. Its not a common thing you see around. Just because someone is unaware of the law doesnt make them a fudd. Educate and move on - going about it with anger or with an argument puts a sour taste in peoples mouths that makes them think firearms owners are all crazy argumentative douche nozzels (not saying at all that you argued with them, just making a point that to many firearms owners tend to argue when someone doesn't know what the regs are).
 
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I quite agree with you on both points! I mentioned it to them quite jokingly, mostly to get my deer hunting coworker riled up (I wouldn't take a pot shot at a rabbit in my little deer territory this close to the season) and when they reacted I simply responded that my 12.5 isn't a "sawed-off" but a completely legal, non-restricted firearm purchased from a reputable Canadian company.

At the end of the day simple practicality rules; anyone who has ever hefted a DA Grizzly knows what I know. All my other hunting shotguns are lighter by a pound or more than my DA, so there's no way I'm hauling it through the woods if I don't need to.

Unless there's going to be zombies! LOL
 
What if there are zombie rabbits?

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I used mine once to duck hunt. Managed to bag six Mallards with it(they were close like 20 yards over decoys). I forgot about the noise as I usually wore ear protection while target shooting. My ears were ringing for the rest of the day.

DF
 
Oh god yes, the noise.

Me and a buddy take my 12.5" barreled DA Outlaw with us when we go on northern backcountry canoe trips. The thing is plenty accurate enough for northern bush chickens at 20 yards but DON'T forget to throw some ear protection in if you can remember.
I took 4 grouse, couldn't hear anything but ringing the rest of the day.
DragonFire said:
I used mine once to duck hunt. Managed to bag six Mallards with it(they were close like 20 yards over decoys). I forgot about the noise as I usually wore ear protection while target shooting. My ears were ringing for the rest of the day.

DF
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