Ghost loading while waterfowl hunting.

N

new210/22

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
59   0   0
Location
Pender Island BC
I am posting this mostly because I want to see the dumpster fire of opinions it becomes. As I understand the hunting regulations you are allowed a maximum of three rounds between the chamber and magazine. What are people’s opinion on ghost loading a fourth round in a firearm capable of doing so? If this topic has been covered I could not find it.

Thanks.
 
new210/22 said:
I am posting this mostly because I want to see the dumpster fire of opinions it becomes. As I understand the hunting regulations you are allowed a maximum of three rounds between the chamber and magazine. What are people’s opinion on ghost loading a fourth round in a firearm capable of doing so? If this topic has been covered I could not find it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._1035/page-4.html#docCont


Hunting Methods and Equipment

15 (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 23.1, no person shall hunt a migratory bird

(a) except with a long bow and arrow or with a shotgun not larger than number 10 gauge;


(b) by the use or aid of live birds, including non-migratory birds;


(c) by the use or aid of recorded bird calls, except as permitted in any part of Schedule I;


(d) with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three shells unless the capacity of the gun has been reduced to three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, by means of the cutting off or the altering or plugging of the magazine with a one-piece metal, plastic or wood filler that cannot be removed unless the gun is disassembled; or


(e) from any aircraft, sailboat, power boat, or motorized vehicle, or any vehicle to which a draught animal is attached






https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._1035/page-4.html#docCont
 
Thank you for your inquire. Section 15 (1)(d) of the Migratory Bird Regulations (MBCA) states:

15 (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 23.1, no person shall hunt a migratory bird
• (d) with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three shells unless the capacity of the gun has been reduced to three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, by means of the cutting off or the altering or plugging of the magazine with a one-piece metal, plastic or wood filler that cannot be removed unless the gun is disassembled;
So placing more than three shells in a firearm while hunting Migratory Birds is an offence. A shotgun magazine plugged for 3 1/2 inch shells should not be able to hold more than two 2 ¾ shells either. Three 2 ¾ shells would be 8 ¼ inches, a shotgun magazine plugged for two 3 1/2 shells would be 7 inches a difference of 1 ¼ inches. In your case I can only speculate that perhaps your plug is not installed correctly or is the wrong size. I would suggest taking it to a firearms dealer/gunsmith for verification.



Thanks again, hope that helps…

Todd Boychuk
Operations Manager, Inland and Special Investigations Division,
Wildlife Enforcement Directorate, Pacific & Yukon Region
Environment and Climate Change Canada
todd.boychuk@canada.ca / Tel: 604-666-9086
 
"Ghost Loading" is illegal. It allows you to have 4 shells ready to fire which is contrary to both the letter of the law and the intention of the regulation.

Regardless how proponents want to spin it if a conservation officer observe you taking 4 shots in a row without reloading the firearm you will be fined and, as it is a federal violation, you may well end up with your hunting privileges taken away from you.
 
rjf1963 said:
A shotgun magazine plugged for 3 1/2 inch shells should not be able to hold more than two 2 ¾ shells either. Three 2 ¾ shells would be 8 ¼ inches, a shotgun magazine plugged for two 3 1/2 shells would be 7 inches a difference of 1 ¼ inches.
Click to expand...

Another bureaucrat providing advise that is beyond his knowledge. The various shell "lengths" for shotshells are the unfolded length not the loaded lengths.
 
rjf1963 said:
https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._1035/page-4.html#docCont


Hunting Methods and Equipment

15 (1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) and section 23.1, no person shall hunt a migratory bird

(a) except with a long bow and arrow or with a shotgun not larger than number 10 gauge;


(b) by the use or aid of live birds, including non-migratory birds;


(c) by the use or aid of recorded bird calls, except as permitted in any part of Schedule I;


(d) with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three shells unless the capacity of the gun has been reduced to three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, by means of the cutting off or the altering or plugging of the magazine with a one-piece metal, plastic or wood filler that cannot be removed unless the gun is disassembled; or


(e) from any aircraft, sailboat, power boat, or motorized vehicle, or any vehicle to which a draught animal is attached






https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._1035/page-4.html#docCont
Click to expand...


Are we arguing that the shell lifter is either mag or chamber?
 
new210/22 said:
Are we arguing that the shell lifter is either mag or chamber?
Click to expand...


(d) with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three shells unless the capacity of the gun has been reduced to three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, by means of the cutting off or the altering or plugging of the magazine with a one-piece metal, plastic or wood filler that cannot be removed unless the gun is disassembled; or


This is the part that will get you
 
'Boo said:
"Ghost Loading" is illegal. It allows you to have 4 shells ready to fire which is contrary to both the letter of the law and the intention of the regulation.

Regardless how proponents want to spin it if a conservation officer observe you taking 4 shots in a row without reloading the firearm you will be fined and, as it is a federal violation, you may well end up with your hunting privileges taken away from you.
Click to expand...

An officer pretty much has to catch you with four rounds in the shotgun, if he is watching from hundreds of yards away, he couldn't see if you slid another round into the gun through the loading gate between shots.
 
OP, I see you have a BC flag avatar

This is in BC regs.

Page 17 in the BC hunting regs

" 4It is unlawful to hunt or trap with a set gun or with a pump, repeating or auto
loading shotgun unless the magazine contains a plug that is incapable of holding
more than 2 cartridges. Where the use of a shotgun is allowed for hunting or
trapping big game, an unplugged shotgun holding more than 2 cartridges and firing
single projectiles only (slugs) may be used.
4A muzzle loader containing powder and shot "



Just says magazine must be limited to 2. Nothing else
 
rjf1963 said:
(d) with a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three shells unless the capacity of the gun has been reduced to three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, by means of the cutting off or the altering or plugging of the magazine with a one-piece metal, plastic or wood filler that cannot be removed unless the gun is disassembled; or


This is the part that will get you
Click to expand...

There it is folks.
 
Maybe not. This refers to a shotgun capable of holding more than three in the mag and chamber being reduced to holding only three in the mag and chamber. Still grey as I read it.
 
Debate nuances all you want, but the spirit of the law is "three shots max." Anyone trying to beat that spirit is not welcome in my blinds.
 
Who came up with such a stupid term as , "ghost loading" ?

Hunting regulations are so simple and clear about how many shells your shotgun is physically able to hold while hunting.

What doesn't one understand about not being able to load more than 2 in a magazine? The "not being able" part means just that... not physically possible...

It's been that way for over 50 years I believe...
 
Last edited:
stubblejumper said:
An officer pretty much has to catch you with four rounds in the shotgun, if he is watching from hundreds of yards away, he couldn't see if you slid another round into the gun through the loading gate between shots.
Click to expand...

No he does not have to catch you with 4 rounds in your shotgun... if you are hunting and he checks your shotgun and it is possible to load more than 2 in the magazine you are caught! Even if your shotgun was empty at the time.
 
new210/22 said:
I am posting this mostly because I want to see the dumpster fire of opinions it becomes. As I understand the hunting regulations you are allowed a maximum of three rounds between the chamber and magazine. What are people’s opinion on ghost loading a fourth round in a firearm capable of doing so? If this topic has been covered I could not find it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Have you passed a hunting course in BC?

You are not allowed to hunt with a shotgun capable of holding more than 2 in the magazine. At the time you are hunting the magazine must not be physically able to hold more than 2.
 
Guys, this is an academic exercise, let’s keep it calm. Yes I understand the spirit of the law argument. The spirit of the law suggests no semi auto rifle should hold more than 5 rounds yet we use pistol mags in accordance to the law. Let’s also not forget that a magazine is a specific an identifiable part and is, in this scenario, not capable of holding more than two rounds. The law does not say “ your firearm must not be able to fire more than three shots in succession without a manual reload”.
 
new210/22 said:
I am posting this mostly because I want to see the dumpster fire of opinions it becomes. As I understand the hunting regulations you are allowed a maximum of three rounds between the chamber and magazine. What are people’s opinion on ghost loading a fourth round in a firearm capable of doing so? If this topic has been covered I could not find it.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

This is really easy to answer. Any shotgun holding more than a combination of three shells is subject to seizure on the spot and summons issued under federal law (MBCAct) when used for hunting. No matter which way you try to spin it,deviate from that and it'll get damn expensive,damn quick.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom