Can I carry a rifle??

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PSE

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Here's the Question:

My buddy wants one last time out, to go fill his draw tag in December. He wants me to go with him to help with spotting elk (we would split up to do this more efficiently) as well as gutting and dragging out should he get his cow elk.

I would feel a lot more comfortable if I took my rifle out as well since I saw fresh cougar tracks the last time I went out with him. The problem is all my tags expire the end of November so no valid hunting tag. I have no intention of shooting his elk should I spot one but will call him on the radio to come and get it.

I live in Alberta and I will check with the Fish and Wildlife people before we go in December.

I have a feeling the answer from F&W will be no gun allowed if you don't hold a valid tag. I can't find anything in the regs that can clarify this.
 
PSE said:
Here's the Question:

My buddy wants one last time out, to go fill his draw tag in December. He wants me to go with him to help with spotting elk (we would split up to do this more efficiently) as well as gutting and dragging out should he get his cow elk.

I would feel a lot more comfortable if I took my rifle out as well since I saw fresh cougar tracks the last time I went out with him. The problem is all my tags expire the end of November so no valid hunting tag. I have no intention of shooting his elk should I spot one but will call him on the radio to come and get it.

I live in Alberta and I will check with the Fish and Wildlife people before we go in December.

I have a feeling the answer from F&W will be no gun allowed if you don't hold a valid tag. I can't find anything in the regs that can clarify this.
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Technically you can carry your rifle as you might be hunting coyote or wolves, but should your buddy get his elk and you get caught with said rifle at the kill sight i won't say fish and wildlife won't bother you.
 
Confirmed by a CO. no you can not. You can not "push bush" ect either. The only person who can shoot the animal is the one who owns the tag.
 
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I don't know if Alberta is the same, but in Ontario, you can't participate in a hunt (with or without a gun) unless you have a valid hunting tag.
 
Should be able to carry a shotgun for the very reason of protection/defense. Not like you're going to go after Elf with a 12 GA.
 
REALLY, in ON you can't TAG along without a tag. Can't go hiking (without a purpose) with your buddies (who has a purpose hiking the woods). :confused:
Odd Shot said:
I don't know if Alberta is the same, but in Ontario, you can't participate in a hunt (with or without a gun) unless you have a valid hunting tag.
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burnaby said:
REALLY, in ON you can't TAG along without a tag. Can't go hiking (without a purpose) with your buddies (who has a purpose hiking the woods). :confused:
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of course you can. I've had non hunters hunt with me on more than a few occasions. "Bush Guests" cannot participate in the hunt, that is all. They can watch, talk, walk, sit or take all the pictures they want. They can even hold my rifle for me while I take a piss. :)
 
crazydave said:
Technically you can carry your rifle as you might be hunting coyote or wolves, but should your buddy get his elk and you get caught with said rifle at the kill sight i won't say fish and wildlife won't bother you.
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This , but unless you are hunting wolf , coyote dont bother with the bs..just tell the truth , its incase something decides you look yummy


Its gonna look fishy to them yep.
But as long as you arent shooting what your both looking for i dont think you are breaking any laws

also it might be a good idea to not have ammo on you or in a mag thats easy to grab unless you are walking( Just looks better if you are questioned and can show that you arent gonna hop out and shoot)


Update us on what SRD tells you , it is infact a very good question

I just reread your post , looks like you are gonna walk looking for his elk while you are not with him.
I would call it hunting , they will call it hunting...Its pretty grey , be carefull with that k

But its legal to pack your rifle any time of the year here , thats where it turns from breaking the law to questionable
 
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If its a draw tag get a partner tag and you'll be good to go. Either of you can then shoot the Elk but you are only allowed one animal between you.
 
As you stated check with the Fish and Wildlife people in Alberta and update this site. Having said that, I would carry a shot-gun since you have no intentions on helping him harvest a elk. I would have double odd buck and slugs for coyote hunting (here in Ontario some parts do not require a special tag for coyote and it is open all year round) providing the season is open in your area.

Good luck
 
burnaby said:
REALLY, in ON you can't TAG along without a tag. Can't go hiking (without a purpose) with your buddies (who has a purpose hiking the woods). :confused:
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Same here in BC.
You have to read the definition of "Hunting"
Hiking during a game season while carrying a firearm is treading on very thin ice especially without a Hunting Lic.
One would have to answer the questions of a CO very carefully if one where stopped in the field or while handling a game animal.
Not saying it can not be done, but it is very thin ice in my opinion.
Take it for what it is...free advice.
Tight Groups,
Rob
 
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There was a case not so long ago where a guys Kids were chasing ducks up river for him to pass shoot. They were charged with hunting without a license. It is generally ok to tag along to watch but if you cross the line from spectator to participant at all, you are breaking the law in Ontario. What will be tolerated is dependant on the C.O.
 
Odd Shot said:
I don't know if Alberta is the same, but in Ontario, you can't participate in a hunt (with or without a gun) unless you have a valid hunting tag.
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That's incorrect. You are probably confusing a "tag" with a "license"
Party hunting for deer/elk/moose is allowed so even though you may have used your "tag" to "tag" the deer you shot you can still hunt as long as someone in the party has an unsed "tag" and of course everyone needs to buy a license.

As far as what you are doing it could be illegal if party hunting is not allowed since you are actually "hunting" for elk, you are just not planning to "shoot" an elk. Depends on what the definition os "hunting" is. In Ontario it means this:

“hunting” includes,

(a) 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

So you would be "hunting" if you were helping your buddy get his elk. If he went out ALONE and then called you after he shot it to help gut/drag then I dont think you have a problem.
 
The Alberta Wildlife Act defines hunting as:

(o) “hunt” means, subject to subsection (6), with reference to a subject animal,
(i) shoot at, harass or worry,
(ii) chase, pursue, follow after or on the trail of, search for, flush, stalk or lie in wait for,
(iii) capture or wilfully injure or kill,
(iv) attempt to capture, injure or kill, or
(v) assist another person to hunt in a manner specified in subclause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) while that other person is so hunting;
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http://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/stat/rsa-2000-c-w-10/latest/rsa-2000-c-w-10.html

Because OP has a big game license (his wildlife certificate he used with the other tags he had), he is legal to assist his buddy in a hunt. I can't say if a CO will get twisted up about carrying a gun for wildlife protection at the same time, without a tag in hand. My guess is they would take a dim view of it.


Mark
 
No party hunting in alberta?
Never seen an Elk but aren't they larger then a deer?
Can one really be expected to hunt, track and retrieve one without any assistance.

3 guys 3 tags hunting the last Elk must be tracked and retrieved by the single solitary shooter?
I thought you guys out west had it pretty good, but if you cant help your buddy fill his tag that'd suck

Mind you, cougar tracks and all id ask for forgiveness rather then permission on that one
 
Bigbubba said:
That's incorrect. You are probably confusing a "tag" with a "license"
Party hunting for deer/elk/moose is allowed so even though you may have used your "tag" to "tag" the deer you shot you can still hunt as long as someone in the party has an unsed "tag" and of course everyone needs to buy a license.

As far as what you are doing it could be illegal if party hunting is not allowed since you are actually "hunting" for elk, you are just not planning to "shoot" an elk. Depends on what the definition os "hunting" is. In Ontario it means this:

“hunting” includes,

(a) 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

So you would be "hunting" if you were helping your buddy get his elk. If he went out ALONE and then called you after he shot it to help gut/drag then I dont think you have a problem.
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My bad yes license, still if he gets this he's good to go. Page 15 of the Alberta regs
 
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