Caliber question

Donster 125

Donster 125

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I apologize if this isn't the correct section for this, but I recently bought a .308 Remington 700 with a 20" barrel for plinking, steel ringing and eventually, hunting.

I have yet to get my hunting license, that will come later this summer, but I have a questions about hunting caliber restrictions.

As per my understanding, based in the WMU areas/sectors, caliber is restricted to .270 in most southern Ontario regions. In order to hunt with a .308, I need to ensure that I do so in the correct area.

My question is, how do I figure out the caliber restrictions vis-a-vis area so I ensure that I don't hunt in the incorrect area?

Kind regards,

D
 
I'm not in Ontario, but I get similar questions like this all the time. I will always refer people first to two sources:

(1) your provincial or territorial hunting guide, in your case the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary ... Keeping in mind, of course, that a guide like this is NOT the law, but merely a summary or description of it generally

(2) if you cannot plainly find what you are looking for there, or it remains ambiguous in any way, go straight to the law ... in your case, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 41, and any regulations relevant to it ... there may also be other statutes or regulations (federal, provincial, municipal or otherwise) that apply.

Far too many well-intentioned hunters, new and experienced, rely wholly upon information passed along by word of mouth from equally well-intentioned folks, including hunters, and sometimes (unfortunately), conservation officers and others in authority who ought to know better.
 
CV32 said:
I'm not in Ontario, but I get similar questions like this all the time. I will always refer people first to two sources:

(1) your provincial or territorial hunting guide, in your case the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary ... Keeping in mind, of course, that a guide like this is NOT the law, but merely a summary or description of it generally

(2) if you cannot plainly find what you are looking for there, or it remains ambiguous in any way, go straight to the law ... in your case, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 41, and any regulations relevant to it ... there may also be other statutes or regulations (federal, provincial, municipal or otherwise) that apply.

Far too many well-intentioned hunters, new and experienced, rely wholly upon information passed along by word of mouth from equally well-intentioned folks, including hunters, and sometimes (unfortunately), conservation officers and others in authority who ought to know better.
Click to expand...

^^^Good advice above...Check out the Hunting Regulations Summary

https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary

Find which WMU's you plan to hunt in, what type of game you are looking to hunt, and then the regs will tell you exactly what you can use (rifle/shotgun/bow) and what caliber/shot size etc.

General rule of thumb for deer in southern Ontario is shotgun and/or bow only. For varmints, rifle is allowed mostly, but calibres are specified in the guide....

Edit...forgot muzzle loaders...
 
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Where will u hunt for big game in southern Ontario any ways? It's not that practical to hunt down here lol and pretty sure if u do its limited to bows, muzzleloaders or shotguns
Are you going to hunt in the field behind the Cineplex ?
 
Tjv787 said:
Where will u hunt for big game in southern Ontario any ways? It's not that practical to hunt down here lol and pretty sure if u do its limited to bows, muzzleloaders or shotguns
Are you going to hunt in the field behind the Cineplex ?
Click to expand...

WTF???

Oh, wait...I see...Toronto...:rolleyes:
 
Page 91 of the Regulations.

Firearms
If you are hunting small game in an area where there is an
open season for deer, moose, elk, or black bear, you may
not possess or use a rifle of greater muzzle energy than 400
foot-pounds or shells loaded with ball or with shot larger than
No. 2 shot (non-toxic equivalents include steel shot larger
than triple BBB, or bismuth larger than double BB), unless
you possess a valid licence to hunt deer, moose, elk or black
bear as the case may be. This restriction does not apply south
of the French and Mattawa Rivers during an open season for
deer that is restricted to the use of bows.

A person hunting small game may not carry or use a rifle
of greater calibre than a .275-calibre rifle, except a muzzleloading gun, in the geographic areas of Brant, Chatham-Kent,
Durham, Elgin, Essex, Haldimand, Halton, Hamilton, Huron,
Lambton, Middlesex, Niagara, Norfolk, Northumberland,
Oxford, Peel, Perth, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington or York.
Click to expand...
 
Donster 125 said:
Thank you!

Just so I understand, in the areas listed I am limited to .275 caliber or smaller. Everywhere else, I can use my .308?
Click to expand...

In the areas that you listed, a person is limited to .275 caliber or smaller when hunting small game. If there is an open season for big game, I believe you are allowed to use your .308. Most WMUs in those areas are restricted to bows, shotguns, muzzle-loaders for Deer so Black Bear is the only one I can think of where the .308 is usable. It also means that you cannot use the .308 to hunt coyotes in those areas.
 
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