Bear protection when fishing in N. Ontario

[grayrc]

This question and the lack of a clear answer has been a 'pet peeve' for me too. I've gone through the process of getting a hunting license just so I can plink during small game season and have an 'easy answer' in defense of any poaching accusation.

It's still not clear to me if when carrying for wilderness protection you are bound by 'hunting regs' (e.g. no uncased firearm after dusk), or only by firearms regs (i.e. a firearm that isn't in your immediate control must be unloaded and safely stored, can't be loaded in a motorized & moving boat, etc...).

But surely there are other tell tale trappings of being on a 'hunt' vs. 'plinking' and even backpacking and carrying for self-defense (i.e. I'd assume if you were hunting you'd have the means on hand for dressing and transporting your meat, you might even be wearing hunting clothes, have some 'calls', etc...). Conversely, if you're 'plinking' or just sighting-in a gun, wouldn't it be obvious you weren't hunting (i.e. blasting off a few rounds would be an odd way to call in your prey, and most hunters don't cart and/or set-up targets/cans/clays/etc... when they're on a hunt). I'm speculating as I'm not a hunter...

Has anyone who's been plinking -or- carrying for wilderness defense EVER actually been convicted of Poaching (or even had to go through the process of Defending themselves)? I'd be very interested to hear if any GunNutz (not friends of friends who heard about this guy who...) actually ever had a situation that extended beyond a 'discussion/explanation' with a CO/PO (i.e. a fine/summons/charge and court)?

/gc

 

[SignGuy]

well i have never been charged or given a ticket but i have been stopped and talked to a few times by leo's since when i am out sighting in i generly as a rule of thumb bring 10-20 targets and one of those auto reseting metel targets with me and the last time i got stopped i just told the officer hey yeah siomeone driving by heard guns shots in rapid succesion i have a semi auto 22 if you count the holes in the paper and count the brass on the ground you'll find the numbers match up perfectly now if you can show where it is illegal for me to target shoot here then sure right me a ticket but otherwise do mind i still have one more scope to set up before the weekend

 

[Red]

In the North West even the CO's have been quoted as saying the common practice is to 'shoot, draq, and bury'. Most popular informal campsites have someone who tends to nusiance wildlife.

 

[blindman]

You said it grayrc, maybe some people need to refresh their memories as too our hunting rules and regs, in Ontario!! As for me I would take a shotgun just to be safe. If there are other people going as well, you may want to discuss it with them, to see if everyone is in agreeance with the gun on the trip!

 

[boy_and_his_dog]

Carring a gun is not a good idea!!! If you have a shot gun when small game is in season you will have a tough sell about how you have sluggs in it for squirls. A bear can charge at 25 mph. you will not have time to stop fishing and get your gun, in our northern forests you wont see him untill he is to close.
Try this bear repellant can be woren on your person when fishing. It is legal and quick to use. There are also things called bear bangers that work well. I am a bear outfitter and have used both when baiting bears. They work and keep your hands free to enjoy your fishing.

 

[Can'o'nutz]

Carring a gun is not a good idea!!! If you have a shot gun when small game is in season you will have a tough sell about how you have sluggs in it for squirls. A bear can charge at 25 mph. you will not have time to stop fishing and get your gun, in our northern forests you wont see him untill he is to close.
Try this bear repellant can be woren on your person when fishing. It is legal and quick to use. There are also things called bear bangers that work well. I am a bear outfitter and have used both when baiting bears. They work and keep your hands free to enjoy your fishing.

Good ideas bahd, I would suggest all of them but last time I checked coyote was considered "small game" and can be taken any time of the year...even with slugs. Well, down here anyway.

 

[BIGREDD]

Twice I have been checked by CO's in the North while fishing in remote areas.
Both times I had a shotgun and slugs there was no big game season open. I actually opened the flap of the tent with my Ithaca one morning only to see a pair of boots instead of paws. The CO in that instance actually laughed at me and said maybe he should lose some wieght.
At no time was I suspected of poaching and they did not hassle me about the shotgun and slugs... they knew exactly what it was for and had no issues with it.
I don't know what all the fuss is about... if you are not poaching or being stupid and you have a legal firearm with a valid license they are not going to charge you with any mystery offences.
If you have a camp full of booze or you fit the profile for poaching or you give the CO some grief you are gonna get worked over.... period.

 

[cdngunner]

Twice I have been checked by CO's in the North while fishing in remote areas.
Both times I had a shotgun and slugs there was no big game season open. I actually opened the flap of the tent with my Ithaca one morning only to see a pair of boots instead of paws. The CO in that instance actually laughed at me and said maybe he should lose some wieght.
At no time was I suspected of poaching and they did not hassle me about the shotgun and slugs... they knew exactly what it was for and had no issues with it.
I don't know what all the fuss is about... if you are not poaching or being stupid and you have a legal firearm with a valid license they are not going to charge you with any mystery offences.
If you have a camp full of booze or you fit the profile for poaching or you give the CO some grief you are gonna get worked over.... period.

What is your interpetation of North? We will be on the north-west side of Alqonquin Park. I know the further north you go the more the officials are "relaxed" about it. Just trying to get a feel for that area

 

[gth]

What is your interpetation of North? We will be on the north-west side of Alqonquin Park. I know the further north you go the more the officials are "relaxed" about it. Just trying to get a feel for that area

Thats not northern Ontario. I would expect problems with CO's and LEO's being still only a stones throw from some major centers. Get north of hwy 17 and you wont have any problems.

 

[Gatehouse]

this is the closest thing I could find




2. Section 109 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 states that: In a prosecution under this Act in respect of hunting or trapping, (a) proof that a person possessed, in an area usually inhabited by wildlife, a firearm, trap, decoy or other hunting or trapping device, a ferret or a specially protected raptor or other bird of prey, is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the person was hunting or trapping, as the case may be….

In other words, the onus is upon you to prove that you were NOT hunting. The CO or PO would ask why you have firearms and it will be officer discretion. You likely would get asked for a hunting licence and why you have firearms. Refer to '2' above.

This stupid law shoudl be challenged in court.

I think it's probably contrary to your rights to prove that you are innocent. *They* are supposed to prove you guilty.