I intend on getting my hunting license this fall and I'm trying to get a good friend of mine on the bandwagon as well. My question may not have a clear-cut answer, and I intend to call the DNR tomorrow for the official answer, but can he come with me regardless of whether he has a license or not? I would assume that as long as he wasn't using the firearm that he could tag along but perhaps it's one of those grey areas. Thanks guys.
Bringing an unlicensed friend hunting
- Thread starter SeamusMac
- Start date
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
In Ontario, the regs say no, you can't take an un-licensed person with you on a hunt.
By definition, you don't need a firearm to be classed as a hunter.
They could charge him/her. Best get the answer from your local DNR
By definition, you don't need a firearm to be classed as a hunter.
They could charge him/her. Best get the answer from your local DNR
Not sure where you read that JYC. Here is what our local CO had to say about it on a local fishing and hunting forum:
I have a small games licence & a PAL. I'll be doing all the shooting but is it okay for someone without a licence to come along for the walk and the carrying?
I'm pretty sure the answer is yes as long as that person doesn't shoot anything but I would just like to confirm.
ps. this is my first year hunting
MNR Answer: It is fine for your friend to accompany you while you’re out hunting (for safety/companionship, learn, watch etc.) but he/she cannot get directly involved in hunting and cannot carry a firearm. What would it look like to the Conservation Officer if your friend was trying to explain that “I was just carrying the firearm”? Bottom line is, if you’re in possession of a firearm in an area that is inhabited by game, you’re hunting.
Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act defines hunting as lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed.
Your friend could help carry the birds once they were harvested and you could give away your daily or possession limit of game birds to your friend, however, no one can be in possession of more game that allowed by law.
The daily bag limit for Spruce and Ruffed Grouse is a combined total of 5 and the possession limit is a combined total of 15.
Ross Johnston
Community Liaison
Conservation Officer
Suite B001, 435 S. James St.
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8
Telephone: 807-475-1521
Facsimile: 807-475-1527
Email: ross.johnston@ontario.ca
website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca
I have a small games licence & a PAL. I'll be doing all the shooting but is it okay for someone without a licence to come along for the walk and the carrying?
I'm pretty sure the answer is yes as long as that person doesn't shoot anything but I would just like to confirm.
ps. this is my first year hunting
MNR Answer: It is fine for your friend to accompany you while you’re out hunting (for safety/companionship, learn, watch etc.) but he/she cannot get directly involved in hunting and cannot carry a firearm. What would it look like to the Conservation Officer if your friend was trying to explain that “I was just carrying the firearm”? Bottom line is, if you’re in possession of a firearm in an area that is inhabited by game, you’re hunting.
Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act defines hunting as lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed.
Your friend could help carry the birds once they were harvested and you could give away your daily or possession limit of game birds to your friend, however, no one can be in possession of more game that allowed by law.
The daily bag limit for Spruce and Ruffed Grouse is a combined total of 5 and the possession limit is a combined total of 15.
Ross Johnston
Community Liaison
Conservation Officer
Suite B001, 435 S. James St.
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6S8
Telephone: 807-475-1521
Facsimile: 807-475-1527
Email: ross.johnston@ontario.ca
website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca
Rusty Shackleford
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Bradford, Ontario
As far as I know, there's nothing illegal about taking a walk in the woods.
swailmeister
CGN Regular
- Location
- Southern, Ontario
I started out hunting the same way, tagging along with my hunting buddies. That's how I got hooked onto the sport. How would someone starting out know if that was for him/her, without doing the same. I don't see anything wrong with it.
better read the ontario regs Canuk has it right this is not considered a walk in the woods it is considered an act of hunting or harassing of game animal. You need a licence to hunt and can be charged, charges have been laid in party hunting situations using unlicenced doggers. There are CO's who will assess the situation and give it a pass others can see it as a ticketing offence, and it will be between you and the courts if you have the time, money and determination. Remember in hunting and fishing regulations the onus is on you not the agency to prove innocence all they have to do is prove that the law exists and that you chose to ignore it. They do not have to prove that the unlicenced person was or was not participating in the hunt. One of the reasons mentoring licences were introduced was introduced to allow young hunters to participate legally in hunting activities and one of the prime reasons that a CO will issue the ticket is when the person in question does not have a hunter safety validation or a firearm licence in adult situations.
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I think the key text is "he/she cannot get directly involved in hunting", dogging would be considered direct involvement in the hunt. Even helping spot game could can be considered direct involvement. Our Local CO says its OK, with the limitations specified, which is good enough for me.
Get the story direct from DNR. I don't think you will have a problem having your friend out with you.
My wife walks with me sometime when I kick grouse and rabbits in the winter. She stands directly behind me when I'm pushing cover, and doesn't directly participate in the hunt in anyway, but she keeps me company when all my buddies are hung over and no one wants to go.
Never been bothered by CO for doing that.
Never been bothered by CO for doing that.
I have always brought mine and I live in Ont! I'll take my chances on taking kids outdoors. I obey all the rules as far as weapons go and no I don't have unliscenced kids dogging fencerows for me,(like I used to do for others when I was a kid)
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I got it from the definitions section of the regs, check definition of hunting.
While it's true, that a reasonable CO wouldn't charge the guy, put yourself in his shoes. Is he going to believe that the guy that's with you is taking NO part in the hunt? Particularly in reference to that passage in the definitions.
I have yet to find that passage online.
goes like
Hunting: chasing, perusing, shooting at, worrying, molesting, being on the trail of .....
IMHO, if I explain the situation to the person tagging along with me, and they tell the CO the same thing, and they are not carrying a gun, I expect the CO to believe they are not hunting and to say 'have a good day'. I would rather take the interpretion of a CO, as I have provided, then my own interpretation of the definition of "hunting" in the regulations. Sometimes I swear we (hunters/shooters) put more restrictions on ourselves then actually exist.
I will still take non-licensed folks along for a few hunts, after explaining the restrictions, if they ever get charged I'll let you know.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
In my 40 years of hunting, I've been checked about five times. Usually very professional, and thorough.
And Kenny_G2 if you behave, and don't give the CO reason to suspect anything, you should be fine, however, be aware that the law is flexible enough to stretch it's net, if you give the CO cause.
And Kenny_G2 if you behave, and don't give the CO reason to suspect anything, you should be fine, however, be aware that the law is flexible enough to stretch it's net, if you give the CO cause.
- Location
- Ottawa, Ontario
"Ontario’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act defines hunting as lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed"
If you are with someone that is hunting, even if you are not hunting with a firearm, your are still participating in the hunt. Therefore you require a vaild hunting license. As someone who has completed their natural resources law and was a DCO for 4 years. Your freind would be getting a nice fine.
On the other hand the odds of finding a CO are about the same as the sasquatch in Ontario. lol
If you are with someone that is hunting, even if you are not hunting with a firearm, your are still participating in the hunt. Therefore you require a vaild hunting license. As someone who has completed their natural resources law and was a DCO for 4 years. Your freind would be getting a nice fine.
On the other hand the odds of finding a CO are about the same as the sasquatch in Ontario. lol
I've been enjoying fishing & hunting in Ontario for over 25 years & have been checked by a CO once. IMHO they are just about as rare as sasquatch. IMO he was rude & considered me guilty until proven innocent. I always thought in Kanada it was supposed to be the other way around
. I realize they have a tough job, but there is no need to be a prick.I learned to hunt by following my Uncles around when I was a kid. If I was an adult, I think I would just take the hunter safety course & have no worries.
I don't understand what you are getting at? Why do they need to suspect anything? If I behave???
I am always up front about what I am doing and generally have very friendly conversations with COs. I have been hunting/trapping 18 years and been checked close to a 6 or 7 times with no problems.
I have the answer, in writing, from a local CO,so I don't see what all the discussion is about. Do I need a personal permission note from him? During the hunting season, licensed hunters aren't the only ones allowed in the bush you know.
Here is the website where I got the information above incase folks aren't believing me http://fishingboard.thunderbayfishing.com/index.php
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- Location
- Ottawa, Ontario
I've been enjoying fishing & hunting in Ontario for over 25 years & have been checked by a CO once. IMHO they are just about as rare as sasquatch. IMO he was rude & considered me guilty until proven innocent. I always thought in Kanada it was supposed to be the other way around
I learned to hunt by following my Uncles around when I was a kid. If I was an adult, I think I would just take the hunter safety course & have no worries.
I wasnt a big enough prick to stay working for the MNR.
When being in the field I have come across a lot of *ssholes that shouldnt be allowed to even walk by a firearm. After years of this im sure some of these guys just begin to hate us. I actually had some knob admit to pointing his loaded firearm at me. He told me that he saw me walking up and knew I was a CO because of my badges. As I was walking up to him he is telling me this and unloading his gun. There are a lot of dumb people out there that screw it up for the rest of us that have common sense. 
