Bowfishing, hunting or fishing?

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This one has me scratching my head. If you are shooting a fish with a bow, legally, are you operating under your hunting or fishing licence?
Here is why I ask.. My son, who is 9 is an avid archer, he has many bows including a Bowtech compound. He is obviously too young to use the bow on small game for legal reasons, but if bowfishing falls under "fishing" then he can "fish" under my fishing licence.

Been stewing on this one all weekend, will call today for the official word but was wondering what the masses here thought.
 
Residents and non-Canadian residents with a valid recreational
fishing licence may fish with one dip net, one seine net, one spear
or a bow and arrow for the species and during the periods outlined
below.

Dip nets may be no more than 183 cm (6 ft.) on each side if square,
or 183 cm (6 ft.) in diameter, if circular.

Seine nets may be no more than 10 m (32.8 ft.) long and 2 m (6.5 ft.)
high.

Spears cannot be possessed on or within 30 m (98 ft.) of the edge
of any waterbody except when fishing for carp and white sucker
as described on this page. Northern pike spearing is not allowed.

Bow and arrow: includes all longbows.



All limits are possession limits per licensed fisherman. Unlicensed children may fish on their parents or guardians license and the fish the children catch is counted against the parent or guardians possession limit.



be sure to post a report and some pics! :D
 
Interesting question.....a buddy of mine was charged by a CO (Ontario) for using a bowmount electric trolling motor for bowfishing carp. The charge had to do with using a motor while he was "hunting".
 
Yes your son can "fish" with a bow. Ontario residents under 18 and over 65 are deemed to have a sport fishing licence and do not share the limit or have to be with a licenced angler. The Reg above is for non residents, different rules.

Also, you can bow fish from a boat, the Hunting rules around shooting from a boat don't apply. Not all C.O's know
 
shotgunner1 said:
Yes your son can "fish" with a bow. Ontario residents under 18 and over 65 are deemed to have a sport fishing licence and do not share the limit or have to be with a licenced angler. The Reg above is for non residents, different rules.

Also, you can bow fish from a boat, the Hunting rules around shooting from a boat don't apply. Not all C.O's know
Click to expand...

Hey shotgunner1, is there somewhere this information is posted online? I have also heard of CO's trying to charge people with using an electric motor or even having the outboard in the water(not running). Just want to have my bases covered, and can't find any info on this.
 
Bowfishing is a non angling method of fishing therefore it is under fishing not hunting. You may use a boat and motor. I always get hassled when I take my bow out fishing. Mnr books for ontario state the seasons and describe it a little more
 
this sparked my curiosity.

argument sake, if one is "bow fishing" on a popular waterway such as the credit river or humber for salmon would this be legal?

I am going to look into bow fishing to educate myself, but feel free to chime in on the above.
 
Shnitzl said:
this sparked my curiosity.

argument sake, if one is "bow fishing" on a popular waterway such as the credit river or humber for salmon would this be legal?

I am going to look into bow fishing to educate myself, but feel free to chime in on the above.
Click to expand...

No.

Only designated species. And there is no bowfishing season for salmon. Then you'd want to make sure there are no municipal bylaws restricting the discharge of a bow.. I'm sure a lot of the GTA is a giant carp sanctuary from bowfishing.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@letsfish/documents/document/198219.pdf

Page 11(8th on the document).

Bowfin, Carp, & White sucker are the only fish you can shoot with a bow in Ontario. But check the zones because depending on the zone there may not be a season and the season differ.
 
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