Why can't you hunt Birds with a .22?
- Thread starter Home3
- Start date
Geese are migratory birds. Hunting them is regulated by the Migratory Bird Act not Provincial hunting regs. Shooting them with a rifle isn't considered to be sporting.
You can shoot grouse with a .22 or an air gun(including pistols) in Ontario. Turkeys is just because.
You can shoot grouse with a .22 or an air gun(including pistols) in Ontario. Turkeys is just because.
A hunter got killed here while hunting geese, a guy who was driving by shot at a decoy in the field with his .22 and killed one of the hunter in the field... For migratory birds such as geese i think its just dangerous for other hunters...
the spank
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
Last year a guide in QC was killed in his layout blind laying next to a client by a fellow who put a "sneak" on the snow goose decoys and fired a .22 cal rifle to cinch himself a goose. As well an 18 year old young hunter was killed the same waylast fall in Illinois( if memeory serves) in much the same fashion except the idiots drove by and fired at the geese with a high powered rifle from their truck. Thankfully they were all caught. I see guys doing it here all the time and listen to many others bragging about busting geese with their rifles usually in fields they never got permission to hunt, just up and shoot from the truck/car and run to get the bird before getting caught. Well we dont sit in our layouts covered up waiting any more, we throw the doors open and wait sitting straight up and watch the roads like a hawk! Only takes a sec to cover up when birds approach. So yes to answer your question, the reason the fed migratory act doesnt allow for a single projectile to be fired at migratory birds was to the best of my knowledge brought in as it was to prevent bullets ricocheting and skipping off water(safety)& crippling of birds, it being figured a gun firing multiple projectiles had a better chance of a cleaner kill at good ranges through multiple hits. However I run with the safety standpoint myself first, I do not want anyone remotely near me with a rifle when I am anywhere near a decoy spread thank you very much!!
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Waterfowl - as mentioned above a coupel people have been killed in recent memory by people shooting at decoys with rifles.
Turkeys, not really sure. Maybe the same reason?
Grouse - Its legal (in Ontario at least)
Turkeys, not really sure. Maybe the same reason?
Grouse - Its legal (in Ontario at least)
Weapontech
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- On my way to Hell in a handbasket
Well, seems to me shooting into the sky with a rifle, even a .22...... might be, well...yep, I can see what they wouldn't authorize the use of rifles for waterfowl! 
I was once explained this some time ago; evidently, anything that can "take flight", (i.e. potentially resulting in the hunter shooting into the sky, or unsafe area); had significant bearing in how specific firearms and wildlife hunts were classified by the MNR. Shotguns seem to be standard for most hunts here in SW Ontario as a result.
I was once explained this some time ago; evidently, anything that can "take flight", (i.e. potentially resulting in the hunter shooting into the sky, or unsafe area); had significant bearing in how specific firearms and wildlife hunts were classified by the MNR. Shotguns seem to be standard for most hunts here in SW Ontario as a result.
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
It's too bad. There's lots of times, especially sea duck hunting, that a .22 would be very useful, but the potential dangers and the probability of some idiot killing an unfortunate hunter are just too great. This is one annoying regulation that I have to agree with.
It's believed at 22 or other centerfire might easily 'skip' off the water if you were shooting at a duck and missed and therefore the bullet might go places you didn't want it to.
Also - firing centerfire rifles at bodies of water doesn't do the fish which may be in the water any good. So i think they just solved the whole mess by saying 'shotgun only'.
Turkeys and grouse can be shot here with rifles. (some restrictions on turkeys i believe)
Also - firing centerfire rifles at bodies of water doesn't do the fish which may be in the water any good. So i think they just solved the whole mess by saying 'shotgun only'.
Turkeys and grouse can be shot here with rifles. (some restrictions on turkeys i believe)
Pudelpointer
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lethbridge, Alberta
In BC you are allowed to use shotgun, bow or a rimfire for turkey, no centrefire allowed.
smokin'stoegie
CGN Regular
- Location
- S/West Ontario
I would love to be able to hunt Turkey's here in Ontario with a .17 HMR. Damn things always seem to hang up at that pesky 50 to 75 yard mark, .17 would be a good equalizer
.. Problem is that they wouldn't be shot at 50-75 yards, more like 200-250 yards.
If you could pick them off at that distance any clown could hunt them.
.. Problem is that they wouldn't be shot at 50-75 yards, more like 200-250 yards.
If you could pick them off at that distance any clown could hunt them.
I would love to be able to hunt Turkey's here in Ontario with a .17 HMR. Damn things always seem to hang up at that pesky 50 to 75 yard mark, .17 would be a good equalizer
.. Problem is that they wouldn't be shot at 50-75 yards, more like 200-250 yards.
If you could pick them off at that distance any clown could hunt them.
Wait.........did you just call me a clown? And what about those guys that hunt them in BC with Rimfires........are they clowns too? Used to be that people hunted them with dogs, the dogs flushed them, and they shot them off the wing.........were they clowns too? And what about shooting them out of the trees while they are roosting......are those people clowns as well?
