No centerfire without a tag in Ontario.

[kodiakjack]

I noticed last week that the 400 foot-pound limitation noted in the ontario hunting summary was nowhere to be found in the actual regs. (Can’t poses a rifle of greater than 400ftlbs in an area where there’s an open season for big game, without having an appropriate big game tag)

So I emailed the fish cops about it and got this reply. You’re now limited to rim fire only.

Hello:

Thank you for your inquiry.

As of January 1, 2019, a number of changes to the hunting regulation (O.Reg. 665/98) have come into effect. The prohibition from using or possessing a rifle of greater muzzle energy than 400 foot-pounds while hunting small game in an area during an open season for big game has been removed and replaced by a prohibition from using or possessing a centre-fire rifle. This can be found in subsection 77(1)(a). The new 2019 Hunting Regulation Summary that will be released in April will reflect this change.

If you require further assistance, please contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-667-1940.

Regards,

NRISC web reader - AC
*******************************************
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Natural Resources Information and Support Centre
300 Water Street
Peterborough, ON K9J 3C7
Tel: 1-800-667-1940/1-800-387-7011
TTY: 1-866-686-6072
nrisc@ontario.ca

I know some here have loaded down their centerfires to accommodate the old rule, but looks like that’s no longer an option.

 

[hoytcanon]

More beaurocratic B.S... that will definitely affect my normal routines.

 

[dilly]

so, I can't use my drilling to shoot grouse during the moose season in Ontario unless I have a moose license?

 

[kodiakjack]

so, I can't use my drilling to shoot grouse during the moose season in Ontario unless I have a moose license?

Shotguns are still ok, given you have the right load with you. So a 12/22 would be fine, but not a CF/22 or CF/SG

 

[ndallyn]

Is this only during hunting season? And are shotguns exempt? Also, what about bear protection (for the guys who carry slugs and birdshot while grouse hunting)?

 

[lbo]

More beaurocratic B.S... that will definitely affect my normal routines.

you said it more bs from the greenies at the mnrf

 

[yomomma]

Is this only during hunting season? And are shotguns exempt? Also, what about bear protection (for the guys who carry slugs and birdshot while grouse hunting)?

It clearly says "rifle"

 

[Suther]

So, no 22 hornet ect for coyotes during big game season without a big game tag in hand??

 

[kodiakjack]

1. Is this only during hunting season? 2. And are shotguns exempt? 3. Also, what about bear protection (for the guys who carry slugs and birdshot while grouse hunting)?

1. South of French and Mattawa, it’s only during gun season, not during bow.

2. Shotguns are limited to the same restrictions they are now, nothing over #2 shot, although there’s also changes coming to that due to the bismuth and tungsten stuff.

3. Wax slugs?

 

[kodiakjack]

So, no 22 hornet ect for coyotes during big game season without a big game tag in hand??

For us. You’re good out there.

 

[yomomma]

1. South of French and Mattawa, it’s only during gun season, not during bow.

2. Shotguns are limited to the same restrictions they are now, nothing over #2 shot, although there’s also changes coming to that due to the bismuth and tungsten stuff.

3. Wax slugs?

So area 53 if i buy a coyote/wolf tag, that should qualify too then?

 

[blasted_saber]

So wait, this means cant possess a centrefire during an open big game season without a tag?

What about February? I find the email worded awkwardedly.

 

[kodiakjack]

you said it more bs from the greenies at the mnrf

Aww, the front liners and the scientists are good people. But Bureaucrats gonna bureaucrat.

In their defence, it’s not like the old “400” rule was any better. Arbitrary and unenforceable. (My .308 mouse farts shoot a 40gr lead ball 900fps at about 70ftlbs. Legal, but how could a fish cop possibly verify that in the field.)

 

[kodiakjack]

So wait, this means cant possess a centrefire during an open big game season without a tag?

What about February? I find the email worded awkwardedly.

Only if there’s a big game season open in February.

 

[kodiakjack]

So area 53 if i buy a coyote/wolf tag, that should qualify too then?

Yotes and wolves are small game, not big game.

 

[yomomma]

Yotes and wolves are small game, not big game.

But hunting regs say i can hunt all year

 

[kodiakjack]

So wait, this means cant possess a centrefire during an open big game season without a tag?

...I find the email worded awkwardedly.

There’s only one wmu (island) where the 400 thing still applies.

 

[kodiakjack]

But hunting regs say i can hunt all year

Yep. But during deer/moose/bear season, you can’t do that hunting with a centerfire.

 

[yomomma]

Yep. But during deer/moose/bear season, you can’t do that hunting with a centerfire.

Oh this is gonna suck

 

[Trimmer 905]

I noticed last week that the 400 foot-pound limitation noted in the ontario hunting summary was nowhere to be found in the actual regs. (Can’t poses a rifle of greater than 400ftlbs in an area where there’s an open season for big game, without having an appropriate big game tag)

So I emailed the fish cops about it and got this reply. You’re now limited to rim fire only.





I know some here have loaded down their centerfires to accommodate the old rule, but looks like that’s no longer an option.

Thanks for the heads up,Jack. Really,nothing has changed except the wording. For us varmint/predator hunters hunting during the spring and fall Black Bear hunt with c/f rifles,we always needed to be in possession of a bear tag,anyway, which meant we also needed to be wearing blaze orange during the open seasons,too. Normally,it wasn't an issue because Coyotes can't see blaze orange,either,but,movement needed to be kept to zero. I should also point out that when a "shotguns only-no dogs" deer season is open,nobody can use or be in possession of a c/f rifle. O-o-o-o-ps,I just noticed that your last post mentioned that.