The MNRF confirms I can bring two firearms with me, uncased. This isn't migratory bird hunting but small game. It was the person carrying it that was in question.
Daughter and/or son holding second firearm while I small game hunt?
- Thread starter Zen_Seeker
- Start date
The MNRF confirms I can bring two firearms with me, uncased. This isn't migratory bird hunting but small game. It was the person carrying it that was in question.
I think you meant to say 2 guns + 2 hunters = 2 licenses....?
Yup. You can be prapared for multiple types of game but on ly one rifle can be "activated" i.e. ready. The other has to be cased, dismantled etc...
If you want to have two weapons ready to go, you need two hunters with a licence each and permission to carry. (PAL or an older POL)
MNFR - 3. Yes, she would be able to carry the birds out. It does not matter if there clean or not.
MNRF - 1. Yes, you can carry multiple firearms such as .22LR and 12 Gauge Shotgun while hunting small game. For the 12 gauge you’re only allowed to have bird shots in your possession. You may not have slugs in your possession if you do not have a big game licence such as a deer licence in your possession.
At this point I might just email him back or call as it seems I'm not the only one unsure. I know if I'm groundhog hunting I can have more than one rifle uncased, semi and bolt, I just don't load the "standby".
As noted by thepolinator; "This is due is two firearms being carried by 2 people with only one pal. She can use it without a license, but you can't be using one at the same time."
Which falls into the area I was concerned about. It sort of makes sense but I wanted to be sure. Without ammo she's not hunting but she's not 100% under my supervision if I'm hunting in front of her while she's holding the shotgun.
As noted by thepolinator; "This is due is two firearms being carried by 2 people with only one pal. She can use it without a license, but you can't be using one at the same time."
Which falls into the area I was concerned about. It sort of makes sense but I wanted to be sure. Without ammo she's not hunting but she's not 100% under my supervision if I'm hunting in front of her while she's holding the shotgun.
I emailed back asking for further clarification as they said; "An unlicensed person is not allowed to carry a firearm because they must be in possession of a gun licence to be able to be in possession of a firearm."
I assume people in the past have abused having a "non-hunting" partner along so this is a touchy subject. If they say no then I'll leave one in the car locked up. Not a big deal but I'm tired of walking through a mine field and would like them to give a clear answer. I'll post the reply once I get it in case this comes up again.
Wow. They are stating gun rules there, which comes under Federal law.
I wonder if they are aware that in BC that rule doesn't apply, because as long as someone (without a gun license) has a hunting license they can carry a gun and hunt with a gun (when directly supervised).
So then the question is, how can one province apply Federal law differently than another?
Ontarians must be very puzzled how we British Columbians don't end up with a bunch of dead hunters each year, what with our very liberal (very inept word, in one way) interpretation of gun laws and lack of ORANGE.
I wonder if they are aware that in BC that rule doesn't apply, because as long as someone (without a gun license) has a hunting license they can carry a gun and hunt with a gun (when directly supervised).
So then the question is, how can one province apply Federal law differently than another?
Ontarians must be very puzzled how we British Columbians don't end up with a bunch of dead hunters each year, what with our very liberal (very inept word, in one way) interpretation of gun laws and lack of ORANGE.
VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Reduction ad absurdim (my Latin is rusty) because based on that response, you should not be allowed to take your kids to the range.
That too.
They do NOT need a firearms license to possess a gun if they are under your direct supervision. They are wrong.
As i said before, if they are in possession of a gun while you are hunting, the CO will ask for both of your licenses. When your kid can't produce one, the CO will likely take both guns and write you both up.
If you are alone, two guns is fine. Its the introduction of they second person without a license that screws it all up.
I agree that in BC the biggest issue would be "who here has a hunting license?" You are forgetting one thing, though. He lives in Ontario.
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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I lived in ontario most of my life and any time we were checked each person carrying a firearm was asked for their license. My father rarely hunted so would never buy a license. One day he ditched his 410 behind a tree in the bush as he noticed an MNR truck cresting a hill on the logging road him and my Grandfather had gotten out of the car on to do in a flock of ruffies. Well that CO sure did not believe my father was not hunting after watching him step out of the bush, lol and sure put him through the ringer. My dad told him he had stepped into the bush to go to the bathroom. My Grandfather is standing there with a limit of grouse trying to look like nothings out of the ordinary. Well the CO finally left and then the real fun began when my dad couldn't find his gun! Lol must have taken 15 minutes to find the tree he rested it behind, lol
Sent this email in yesterday;
"After reading your reply and going over the points I spoke with some other hunters and I had different opinions on the reply provided. If I can clarify, so I don't break any laws or practice unsafe hunting.
As I'm not migratory bird hunting, but small game hunting, I can have a .22LR slung over my shoulder while carrying the 12G? (Slung firearm is unloaded and would be loaded after I put down the shotgun.)
If the RCMP allow my daughter to hold, clean, load and shoot a firearm under my supervision, without a license, why can't she hold a open, unloaded, single shot shotgun, with no ammunition on her person, while I walk and hunt with her beside me? (In a way I'm using her as a pack animal or ATV that has two legal firearms handy to hunt small game.)"
The new reply they sent later that day;
"This is federal regulations and not provincial regulations.
1. Any person who does not have a firearm licence cannot be in possession of firearm at any time because they do not have a gun licence. This would be your scenario because your daughter is unlicensed; meaning she has not taken the Firearms Course therefore cannot be carrying a firearm on your behalf.
2. If you are hunting with a minor who only have their Apprenticeship Card for hunting and they are hunting together with an adult, the adult who is fully licence (Hunting Education Course & Firearm Licence) can only carry one firearm to share amongst each other."
I can't say I agree with the interpretation or explanation but it seems that regardless they don't want the second firearm in the possession of a non-hunter.
Maybe it's time to re-purpose the old golf caddy?
Seen strollers used for 3 gun so why not?
At least they can carry the birds out without issue.
L8r
"After reading your reply and going over the points I spoke with some other hunters and I had different opinions on the reply provided. If I can clarify, so I don't break any laws or practice unsafe hunting.
As I'm not migratory bird hunting, but small game hunting, I can have a .22LR slung over my shoulder while carrying the 12G? (Slung firearm is unloaded and would be loaded after I put down the shotgun.)
If the RCMP allow my daughter to hold, clean, load and shoot a firearm under my supervision, without a license, why can't she hold a open, unloaded, single shot shotgun, with no ammunition on her person, while I walk and hunt with her beside me? (In a way I'm using her as a pack animal or ATV that has two legal firearms handy to hunt small game.)"
The new reply they sent later that day;
"This is federal regulations and not provincial regulations.
1. Any person who does not have a firearm licence cannot be in possession of firearm at any time because they do not have a gun licence. This would be your scenario because your daughter is unlicensed; meaning she has not taken the Firearms Course therefore cannot be carrying a firearm on your behalf.
2. If you are hunting with a minor who only have their Apprenticeship Card for hunting and they are hunting together with an adult, the adult who is fully licence (Hunting Education Course & Firearm Licence) can only carry one firearm to share amongst each other."
I can't say I agree with the interpretation or explanation but it seems that regardless they don't want the second firearm in the possession of a non-hunter.
Maybe it's time to re-purpose the old golf caddy?
Seen strollers used for 3 gun so why not?At least they can carry the birds out without issue.
L8r
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
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VanIsleCam
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
This would apply in Ontario as well[/QU
Right. Any junior hunter in BC under direct supervision can hunt although his/her tags / bag limit count against the supervising hunter
This would apply in Ontario as well[/QU
Right. Any junior hunter in BC under direct supervision can hunt although his/her tags / bag limit count against the supervising hunter
What about fully licensed BC hunters who have their own tags and bag limit, but are too young to have a PAL?
They are 100% authorized to hunt in the province and take the same game as anyone else, with their own bag limits and tags. They've passed CORE which includes a physical firearms handling test.
Are they prohibited from carrying a firearm (with direct supervision) for the purposes of hunting?
If so, then we have a serious contradiction between Federal and Provincial law - and I am glad I live where I live because there are thousands of fully licenced youth hunters carrying their own firearms (under direct supervision) in BC.
