Nightime Predator Hunting

O

ontario

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I like many work the standard 7:30-5:00 pm and have been working 7 days a week since August which leaves little time for hunting during regular daylight hours.

I had recently called the MNR and asked if they had ever considered allowing predator hunting at night. The person I was speaking with had mentioned there had been little to no interest in this. I am just curious on how to get the ball rolling to prove to them that there are others who would be interested in this.

I understand there would have to be caliber restrictions due to safety such as rimfire/shotgun (with shot size restrictions) only, I would not even mind if they charged a fee similar to the night time raccoon hunting licence.

Lets hear some other ideas or pros/cons regarding this if you are interested.
 
night hunting

I have hunted fox & wolves on full moon nights up here for years. MNR (Conservation Manitoba ) told me that as long as there was no other source of light other than the moon that there was no law that says I can't. There might be other laws that come into play where you are. My closest neighbour is 5 miles away so no problems there.

stay safe
pounder
 
For the MNR to do thast they would have to put on a night shift in which that would cost money. They can't afford to drive around in the daytime anymore let alone all night too. Seriously now, with the other laws in tacked in ontario they would have to change a lot. I really can't see it happening...
 
I to have hunted yotes on full moon nights what an awesome experience!!!! I talked to the fish and wildlife officers about it and they told me, as long as there are no close neighbours and commonsense is involved go write ahead
 
Adrian J Hare said:
For the MNR to do thast they would have to put on a night shift in which that would cost money. They can't afford to drive around in the daytime anymore let alone all night too. Seriously now, with the other laws in tacked in ontario they would have to change a lot. I really can't see it happening...
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Night hunting for coon has been legal here forever. It requires a licence to hunt raccoon at night and a licenced dog. We can run our coonhounds all year- for training, and can harvest fur in the fall. I've never been stopped by a C.O. while coon hunting nor have any of my buddy's either.

So, night hunting is already legal for one species with specific rules. I don't see a legitimate reason why coyotes couldn't be added to the list too. The MNR doesn't prevent people from fishing at night, regardless of night shift staffing issues.
 
Dominion Link said:
Night hunting for coon has been legal here forever. It requires a licence to hunt raccoon at night and a licenced dog. We can run our coonhounds all year- for training, and can harvest fur in the fall. I've never been stopped by a C.O. while coon hunting nor have any of my buddy's either.

So, night hunting is already legal for one species with specific rules. I don't see a legitimate reason why coyotes couldn't be added to the list too. The MNR doesn't prevent people from fishing at night, regardless of night shift staffing issues.
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Excellent points! I would love to be able to hunt coyotes at night. Some full moon nights are just awesome with the amount of light there is. We should all start a letter writing campaign to the Ontario MNR asking them to consider this.

George
 
I don't know about out there as night coon hunting is all good but here in BC legal shooting light is one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset. Is there anything in your regs about this and if so how do you get around it?
 
In some parts of Germany, you can do it at a pre-approved bait sites from a pre-approved treestand. The authorities inspect each site for safety concerns, and to determine specific conditions, prior to a permit being issued. All projectiles are contained right at the site, either in the animal or in the ground.

In Texas, you can do it - for certain species - on your own property, or under the supervision of the landowner. You know the lay of your own land.

Opposition to night hunting is rooted in the notion of drunk and drinking men, driving around in the dark, shining lights into the ditch as they go, shooting at both dark spots and anything reflective.

If we limited our request to pre-approved treestands at preapproved bait sites on your own land only, I believe opposition would be minimal.
 
adrigauthier said:
I to have hunted yotes on full moon nights what an awesome experience!!!! I talked to the fish and wildlife officers about it and they told me, as long as there are no close neighbours and commonsense is involved go write ahead
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Pretty decent of the Alberta F&W officers to say that to you, perhaps its because you are at a remote location and nobody gets too worked up about those types of things, because technically it’s illegal to hunt any wildlife or discharge a firearm (except at a range) between ½ hr after sunset and ½ hr before sunrise in Alberta.
I assume you know about the ½ hr stuff but the regulation does state any wildlife, not just bird or big game.
 
It's easy to get a coon license $35, also it costs next to nothing to have your dog (any breed) registered as a coon dog.... I'm pretty sure you can even register a stuffed animal, or one of those robodogs ;) just let it bark and if a coyote shows up to attack it, well, technically he's coming right for you.... Not hunting, got to love predator control :)
 
After deer season, it would be easy enough for MNR to allow coyote hunting at night. Bait pile under the moon light would work pretty good!!!!
 
I'd love to night predator hunt. The red spot light and all, Don't think I would be using my hand calls though. Probably brush the dust off the ol' foxpro.


Can't see it happening around here (too many houses) But it would be AWESOME!
 
Dominion Link said:
Night hunting for coon has been legal here forever. It requires a licence to hunt raccoon at night and a licenced dog. We can run our coonhounds all year- for training, and can harvest fur in the fall. I've never been stopped by a C.O. while coon hunting nor have any of my buddy's either.

So, night hunting is already legal for one species with specific rules. I don't see a legitimate reason why coyotes couldn't be added to the list too. The MNR doesn't prevent people from fishing at night, regardless of night shift staffing issues.
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To start, I'm not a dumby your talking to, I used to hunt Raccoon at night myself and I also have hunted Predators at night in the USA and can tell you, that you are not hunting Raccoons with spots lights either and lighting fields. Your not going to be shooting into the Black dark of fields in Ontario with rifles no matter what calibure your using.

I'm not saying I know what way they would go at all but, if your running spot lights then what happens to the deer harrassment laws ? Your not hunting predators without spot lights and your not hunting them at night with Dogs. Coyotes tend to run a lot farther then coon, so manning off areas just are not going to work. Hey ! Have at it , if you can make it happen Congrats !
 
Adrian J Hare said:
To start, I'm not a dumby your talking to, I used to hunt Raccoon at night myself and I also have hunted Predators at night in the USA and can tell you, that you are not hunting Raccoons with spots lights either and lighting fields. Your not going to be shooting into the Black dark of fields in Ontario with rifles no matter what calibure your using.

I'm not saying I know what way they would go at all but, if your running spot lights then what happens to the deer harrassment laws ? Your not hunting predators without spot lights and your not hunting them at night with Dogs. Coyotes tend to run a lot farther then coon, so manning off areas just are not going to work. Hey ! Have at it , if you can make it happen Congrats !
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First off- lighten up. I wasn't being condescending. There are lots of hunters who have no idea about night hunting for coon in Ontario. I guess I should have consulted with Kreskin to see what your hunting background was??

Next- the headlamps these days are miles ahead of what was available just a few years back. My K-Light is an LED set up that can shine trees from 200 hundred yards and the battery packs can go several evening hunts between recharging. I've added a tactical flashlight and red dot scope to my coon gun which makes precise shot placement much more consistent.

As far as predator hunting at night- no it wouldn't be with hounds. I was simply pointing out that we already have night hunting here and it includes running hounds and it is open all year. As Waterfowler suggested, hunting over bait and after deer season- could be feasible, if the bureaucratic will was there.
 
adrigauthier said:
I to have hunted yotes on full moon nights what an awesome experience!!!! I talked to the fish and wildlife officers about it and they told me, as long as there are no close neighbours and commonsense is involved go write ahead
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Is it not illegal to discharge a gun 30 mins after sunset until 30 mins before sunrise?
 
Norton said:
Pretty decent of the Alberta F&W officers to say that to you, perhaps its because you are at a remote location and nobody gets too worked up about those types of things, because technically it’s illegal to hunt any wildlife or discharge a firearm (except at a range) between ½ hr after sunset and ½ hr before sunrise in Alberta.
I assume you know about the ½ hr stuff but the regulation does state any wildlife, not just bird or big game.
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Yes it was very decent of them. I'm also hunting on private land wich makes a huge difference. Yotes are a huge problem around home and there arnt alot of preadator hunters so fish and wildlife kinda want them delt with. Yes I know about the 1/2 hour regs. I just don't brag about hunting in full moons
 
"I'm also hunting on private land wich makes a huge difference"

It is still against the law private land or crown land. The next fish & wildlife officer you talk to may not be so "accommodating".


A few years back at an Alberta Fish & Game Association conference there was a resolution requesting a change in that law so one could shoot predators after the "1/2 hour after sunset".

It was kind of directed towards shooting on private land and "a farmer shooting a coyote in the farm yard" kind of thing.

I don't remember what became of it but the law was not changed.
 
adrigauthier said:
I'm also hunting on private land wich makes a huge difference.
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No it doesn't make a huge difference actually. Hunting at night in Alberta is illegal, private land or not. There are no exceptions to the half an hour rules before and after that I know of.

I very, very highly doubt that an Alberta SRD(Fish and Wildlife) officer told you it was OK to do so. Please PM me his name and what office he works out of as I would love to talk with him.

From the Alberta hunting regulations:
hunt any wildlife or discharge a firearm between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise.
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adrigauthier said:
I just don't brag about hunting in full moons
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As a matter of fact, you did, see below:

adrigauthier said:
I to have hunted yotes on full moon nights what an awesome experience!!!!
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TWK
The law is the law: Crazy Davey nailed it.
COs should not say such things.

crazy_davey said:
No it doesn't make a huge difference actually. Hunting at night in Alberta is illegal, private land or not. There are no exceptions to the half an hour rules before and after that I know of.

I very, very highly doubt that an Alberta SRD(Fish and Wildlife) officer told you it was OK to do so. Please PM me his name and what office he works out of as I would love to talk with him.

From the Alberta hunting regulations:




As a matter of fact, you did, see below:
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