Bringing company to hunting trip.

SIGP2101

SIGP2101

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Hi all,

Can I bring my 76 years old father to hunt, to make me a company while I am hunting? He does not have a PAL or hunting license? But he will not be hunting just making me a company. Lets say we both will be hiking but only myself would bring rifle in case some small game cross our path. Whole idea is to spend some bonding time with my father after a long time.

Could this be legal trouble?

Thanks for your input!
 
SIGP2101 said:
Hi all,

Can I bring my 76 years old father to hunt, to make me a company while I am hunting? He does not have a PAL or hunting license? But he will not be hunting just making me a company. Lets say we both will be hiking but only myself would bring rifle in case some small game cross our path. Whole idea is to spend some bonding time with my father after a long time.

Could this be legal trouble?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

I am taking my Hunter's course right now, last session tonight. I asked a similar question last night. The problem is that he will be considered to be hunting because he is with you while you are going after game.

From the 2006 Ontario Hunting Regs Summary, hunting is defined as "Includes 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. You need a hunting licence to do any of these things, except where the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act states otherwise."

Here's the link: w w w.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/pubs/pubmenu.html

I recommend you call the MNR and ask to be sure.
 
Sharkson said:
From the 2006 Ontario Hunting Regs Summary, hunting is defined as "Includes 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. You need a hunting licence to do any of these things, except where the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act states otherwise."

Here's the link: w w w.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/pubs/pubmenu.html

I recommend you call the MNR and ask to be sure.
Click to expand...

According to above cited regulations, all bird watchers should have at least small game license???????

I AM ONE CONFUSED ONTARIAN!!!
 
dumbdawg said:
phone up the MNR and ask them their view on this
Click to expand...
X2 the MNR will give you the legal view it shouldnt be an issue AFAIK if your carrying the rifle then your the one hunting but the pencil neck suit an ties seem to view things differntly
 
How often have you really run into the MNR anyway. I have had my father out on the odd occasion just to keep company. He used to hunt, but does not anymore, but at the same time still likes to see the odd goose work the decoys.
 
SIGP2101 said:
Hi all,

Can I bring my 76 years old father to hunt, to make me a company while I am hunting? He does not have a PAL or hunting license? But he will not be hunting just making me a company. Lets say we both will be hiking but only myself would bring rifle in case some small game cross our path. Whole idea is to spend some bonding time with my father after a long time.

Could this be legal trouble?

Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...

I'd just take him....as long as he ain't hunting, why worry? A damn dog doesn't need a hunting license and guys hunt with them all the time. Take your dad out and enjoy yourself. Any game warden that has a problem with that should have his head examined.....and Im sure that is what the judge would recommend if you ever got charged for something.
 
Taking your Dad along for company

I think the media would love to hear about a 76 year old man being charged for hunting when he wasn't carrying a firearm.

You are encouraged not to go to the range alone so why hunt alone.
Lots of guys take their wife or son along so why not your dad.
I would think the rangers have enough brains to recognize your dad isn't a threat to society.
I wish my dad was around when I used to hunt.
Go out and enjoy yourselves, next year may be too late.
 
As long as he dresses for the weather and is visible to you and others, he is just enjoying the walk. Having a pair of binoculars around his neck means he can see anything that much better. If he goes for a walk around the slough and pushes a deer towards you, then is looks like hunting.

The Saskatchewan regs had a nice way of describing how a junior or underage hunter could accompany a licenced hunter. Something like being under direct and immediate control, within physical reach. All to encourage people to get out, but to know their limits.
 
Just telling you what my instructor told us.

Gatehouse said:
No gun= Not hunting, in anybodys view.
Just go:dancingbanana:
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Nope, not true. You could be hunting with a spear or a knife. It is still defined as hunting. Tracking animals IS hunting, with or without a weapon.

Look, I agree that the rules are plain stupid! Take your Dad, but you may have some serious "splaining" to do.

My Ontario hunting instructor (a guy in his 70's who has been instructing for more than 30 years) explained this very rule to me when I asked incredulously that it sounded like bird watchers during hunting season could be deemed to be hunting. He said YES they would be!

They should ideally have a small game hunting licence, and dressed in hunter orange. He said (his words) that the reason was intended to partially protect hunters from animal rights nutters who would attempt to scare away (i.e. harass, pursue etc = hunting) game during a hunt, thus ruining it for the hunters. I am just telling you what he said.

But clearly, the definition of "hunting" in the Ontario regs could be interpreted to include "nature lovers" and bird watchers.

Heh, this IS nutty. I hate the fact that laws (any) are always aimed at the 5% of the population who are a**holes. :mad:

Have fun and be safe!
 
What sharkson said. The ####### laws are designed to make anybody in the woods open to charges. That's the very essence of a police state/dictatorship which we have in Ontario/Canada

However, in practice its extremely unlikely that he would be charged with hunting if he's just along for the walk.
 
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