Southern Ontario Pest Control

[257Roberts]

I have a question for the hunters and land owners in Southern Ontario.
Can a farm land owner use any caliber to control the pest population?
Meaning crop and or livestock damage. I know for hunting there is a .275 caliber restriction for small game and the 270 does not fall in that restriction, but does it apply in the case if you are a land owner trying to get rid of a ground hog or something bigger?
257 Roberts

 

[ckc123]

your local bylaws could also place a limit on what caliber you shoot.

 

[jiminthecorner]

I shoot coyotes on the farm with a 7x57,or 284 win, or whatever is handy.JITC

 

[mvarley84]

Predator control does not fall under hunting regulations....so the .275 HUNTING restriction does not apply.

 

[Claybuster]

You have greater latitude as a landowner but it's still open to interpretation. If you drop a coyote outside your barn at night with a .375 H&H you'd be fine. But if you are set up in a field hunting ground hogs even though they are nuisance animals you might be deemed to be hunting even if it's your own land. I live in the area affected by the calibre restriction and unless circumstances require otherwise generally stay within the hunting regulations even though I might not have to.

Predator control does not fall under hunting regulations....so the .275 HUNTING restriction does not apply.

Only if you are on your own land or are an authorized agent of the landowner and only if the threat is occurring or about to occur.

From the regs.

Protection of property

31. (1) If a person believes on reasonable grounds that wildlife is damaging or is about to damage the person’s property, the person may, on the person’s land,

(a) harass the wildlife for the purpose of deterring it from damaging the person’s property; or

(b) capture or kill the wildlife.

Agents

(2) The person may use an agent to harass, capture or kill the wildlife under subsection (1) if the agent has the authorization of the Minister or belongs to a class of agents prescribed by the regulations.

Exceptions

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to,

(a) a moose, caribou or elk;

(b) a white-tailed deer, unless the person harasses or kills the deer in accordance with the authorization of the Minister; or

(c) other wildlife prescribed by the regulations, unless the person harasses, captures or kills the wildlife in accordance with the authorization of the Minister.

Scope of authority

(4) A person who harasses, captures or kills wildlife under this section shall not harass, capture or kill more wildlife than is necessary to protect the property.

Unnecessary suffering

(5) A person who harasses, captures or kills wildlife under this section shall not cause it unnecessary suffering.

Certain provisions do not apply

(6) Sections 5 and 6, clauses 11 (1) (a) to (d), section 27 and such other provisions of this Act and the regulations as are prescribed by the regulations do not apply to a person who harasses, captures or kills wildlife under this section.

Night hunting

(7) Section 20 does not apply to a person who, under this section, harasses, captures or kills wildlife, other than white-tailed deer or wildlife prescribed for the purpose of clause (3) (c).

 

[OldRanger]

Claybuster, what reg is that from?>>>I need it Quick!

257Roberts, check your local By-law for discharge of firearms.

 

[Claybuster]

Claybuster, what reg is that from?>>>I need it Quick!

257Roberts, check your local By-law for discharge of firearms.

PM sent.

And for anyone else interested.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 41

http://www.canlii.org/on/laws/sta/1997c.41/20080421/whole.html

 

[257Roberts]

Thanks Claybuster, This clears things up. I think it would be best to stay within the hunting regs just to be safe. I will pass this on to a friend who was wondering if he could use a 30-30 on his farm to control coyotes. I also let him know that I will take care of his problems.
Thanks to all.
257 Roberts