Ontario Small game regulations

[tbrwlf]

I wish to formally apologize to those who were misinformed by me in past.

Years ago I read in the hunting regs for Ontario, that for small game hunting during an open big game season, you had to have a 22 Short, 22 Long, or, 22 Long Rifle. A 17 HMR, 17 Mach 2, or, 22 Magnum, was not allowed.

On Friday, after having a discussion with a fellow CGNr, I actually picked up the regs again and checked.

Unlike the last time I read it, now it says muzzle energy less than 400 ft lbs. This new change, to me, means all of the above are allowed.

The .275 max diameter only applies to certain areas in Southern Ontario. You may want to check if you are in that part of the province.

So I can now carry my dad's old Savage 24 in 22 Magnum over 410 during any open small game season. This is great news.

 

[antiqueguy]

yes under 400ft lbs and i think nothing over .275" when deer,moose,black bear season is going on

 

[blasted_saber]

Imagine that! If you actually read the regs you can talk with the ability to actual be right instead of just pulling stuff out of your behind!

I re-read the regs every year from front to back. Get a copy and leave it at the throne. You might just learn something!

 

[uberkermit]

I was thinking of the .275 restriction on small game in certain counties. Was that restriction not originally put in place to discourage people hunting with their Enfield rifles with cheap surplus ball ammo? If that is so, I guess the purpose of the calibre restriction has basically been served, no? How much .303 ball ammo is around these days? I figure it is pretty well all used up by now. Or is there another good reason for the .275 limit?

 

[tbrwlf]

Did I say I dont read the regs each year???

As a matter of fact, I do. And my copies are in both bathrooms, the office, my truck, and my hunting bag.

I just dont hunt small game and therefore didnt know the section had changed. I thought there may be others like me who could use the update.

 

[antiqueguy]

I was thinking of the .275 restriction on small game in certain counties. Was that restriction not originally put in place to discourage people hunting with their Enfield rifles with cheap surplus ball ammo? If that is so, I guess the purpose of the calibre restriction has basically been served, no? How much .303 ball ammo is around these days? I figure it is pretty well all used up by now. Or is there another good reason for the .275 limit?

idk why but ive seen what a .303 mk 7 ball will do to a deer (it will tumble just like it was made to do) there is nothing that sayswe need to use a expanding bullet in ontario

 

[brybenn]

The caliber restriction needs to be rewritten. I've seen enough idiots using 270s and 243s shooting blindly across fields at running/pushed coyotes. If they could I'm sure they'd use their moose rifles as well. I've had occasions where bullets have come thru the trees at me from a truck on the road blasting away.
Common sense is needed when choosing a caliber that will be used in highly populated areas
For the record I'm not against pushing coyotes. Some guys do it respectfully and safely while others well that's a different story

 

[9.3mauser]

The caliber restriction needs to be rewritten. I've seen enough idiots using 270s and 243s shooting blindly across fields at running/pushed coyotes. If they could I'm sure they'd use their moose rifles as well. I've had occasions where bullets have come thru the trees at me from a truck on the road blasting away.
Common sense is needed when choosing a caliber that will be used in highly populated areas
For the record I'm not against pushing coyotes. Some guys do it respectfully and safely while others well that's a different story

There are laws against the careless use of a firearm. If these guys were hunting in a safe manner, then there's no reason why they shouldn't be able to use .416 Rigby's. The calibre restrictions are an archaic leftover, just like the sunday hunting laws. .30-30's are barred, but a .270's ok??

 

[rhino519]

Imagine that! If you actually read the regs you can talk with the ability to actual be right instead of just pulling stuff out of your behind!

I re-read the regs every year from front to back. Get a copy and leave it at the throne. You might just learn something!

how did you manage to get of the island of Sodor???

really, no need to be a cvnt in a thread a guy is admitting to being wrong

 

[Waterfowler]

yes under 400ft lbs and i think nothing over .275" when deer,moose,black bear season is going on

You think???

You wrong.

 

[blasted_saber]

how did you manage to get of the island of Sodor???

really, no need to be a cvnt in a thread a guy is admitting to being wrong

Yes, I suppose I was harsh. Just sick and tired of know it alls blathering away about laws they know nothing about. Took it out on him.

 

[tbrwlf]

I was just checking my copies of older regs.

I can't find my 2011 regs at the moment but in the 2010 regs it says, on page 71, "In an area where there is an open gun season for deer, moose, or black bear, if you are a hold of a small game licence you may not possess or use a rifle of greater caliber or projectile power than a .22 calibre rim-fire rifle chambered to .22 Short, .22 long, or .22 long rifle cartridges etc.

If someone has their 2011 regs could they please check the wording. I would like to know what year this changed.

 

[Gillshot]

They changed it this year. About time, my favorite small game rifle is a .22 magnum.

 

[tbrwlf]

Thanks Gillshot. I guess I wasn't that badly out of date after all.