Run-in with MNR last night

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awesomeame

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So the MNR was waiting by the truck when we came out of the bush last night after an uneventful bow hunt. Turns out we were 10mins past shooting times and we didn't have our bows "encased." All our paperwork was in order and they let us off with a "stern warning."

So does anyone know what the charge for something like this is-not being encased? Is it part of the criminal code?? Is this info online somewhere?

I've never been too concerned about a few mins either way, but I guess the MNR does check up once in awhile...

Matt
 
This happened to me in 2003. It was $140. It's pretty hard to argue. It's dark and it's not in a case. The worst part was discovering afterward that I had a gunsock in my bag the whole time.
 
awesomeame said:
So the MNR was waiting by the truck when we came out of the bush last night after an uneventful bow hunt. Turns out we were 10mins past shooting times and we didn't have our bows "encased." All our paperwork was in order and they let us off with a "stern warning."

So does anyone know what the charge for something like this is-not being encased? Is it part of the criminal code?? Is this info online somewhere?

I've never been too concerned about a few mins either way, but I guess the MNR does check up once in awhile...

Matt
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Here is a link to 'Set Fines' for Ontario:
http://www.ontariocourts.on.ca/ocj/en/setfines/one/ochome.htm

The F&W Conservation Act is number 17.5

Here is the breakdown of the set fine:

114. Unlawfully possess firearm at night 20(1) (b) $150.00

The 20(1) (b) refers to the F&W Conservation Act:
Night hunting

20. (1) A person shall not, during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise,

(a) hunt wildlife;

(b) have a firearm in the person’s possession in an area usually inhabited by wildlife, unless the firearm is unloaded and encased; or

(c) shine a light for the purpose of hunting wildlife.
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Spend a few minutes looking at the infractions, a real eye opener.
 
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Its funny how you can leave youre tree stand a few seconds before youre not legall, and obviously you have stopped hunting with a bow because youre walking to youre vehicle in the dark... I dont know of anyone willing to shoot a big game animal on the run with a bow at that time of night?.

But the 10 or 20 min walk back to the truck puts you way past legal light shooting time and in danger of getting a fine.

Silly law indeed.. being treated like a criminal with absolutely no bad intent, but they assume you would, if given the chance.:mad:

Maybe someone should fight that in court and have the money grab law repealed.
 
ALLS London said:
No, carry a gun sock- it just says encased, it doesn't specify. A garbage bag is also usable, as long as it's opaque.
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You are correct unless you happen to run in to the C.O. I did who stated that my rain coat with my gun tucked neatly inside both arms, zipped up, wrapped around the gun and with a loose knot at each wrist so the gun couldn't slide out and put behind the seat of my truck did not make a gun case. I argued it does not have to be a "case" but "encased" as it was and got a $180.00 fine anyways.
 
waltman said:
You are correct unless you happen to run in to the C.O. I did who stated that my rain coat with my gun tucked neatly inside both arms, zipped up, wrapped around the gun and with a loose knot at each wrist so the gun couldn't slide out and put behind the seat of my truck did not make a gun case. I argued it does not have to be a "case" but "encased" as it was and got a $180.00 fine anyways.
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I would of went to court.
 
These are like speeding laws. Their intent is to provide law enforcement with a means to charge people hunting illegally (or driving dangerously). Instead the letter of the law is now being used to generate a revenue stream, and has nothing to do with protecting wildlife.
 
Typical approach. Go after law abiding citizens with nit picking laws like this. Just park your truck on the road and let the hunter who is not doing anything wrong walk to you. Set up a roadside check at the lake and nail some poor slob who does not leave exactly the right size piece of skin of the only little jackfish he caught all weekend.

How about setting up and nailing some a--hole that is jack lighting deer. Or getting out on the ice and pulling nets from lakes that are closed. Or dealing with " No licence required hunters " shooting the hell out of the game on private posted land.

I know there are CO's out there who work hard to stop this kind of thing but there seems to be quite a few big bellied desk jockies out there pretending to do their job.
 
Damn, I sleep with a shotgun with the mag loaded with buckshot while hunting. The run ins I've had in the bush made me paranoid. Having a grizzly come through your camp at night will make you ignore a stupid regulation like that "encased" after night garbage.
 
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