First hunt, excitement leads to frustration.

[Polar Man]

I was excited to go after my first coyote over the thanksgiving weekend visiting my parents in Cape Breton. Got a small game tag too, in case I decided to look for some chickens too.
Anyway, reading the little regulation book, instead of getting more confident about hunting I just got more and more confused and paranoid that I would end up getting busted by some CO for breaking a law I was unsure of. First my brother (doesn't even have his PAL yet but shares my interests) was going to come along. I see he has a hunters orange cap but no jacket, so he can't come (He was confused why his bright orange fleece wasn't good enough). Then I see I may need #4 buckshot to hunt coyote, and I only have #3. (Since learned #3 is fine) Then I wonder if I can bring my .223, but see somewhere in the book I can only carry a calibre suitable for big game during this time of year, and .223 is too small. Still not really sure about that one.
Anyway, it went on and on and I just about said screw it, but finally decided to go scout around for an hour in the morning by myself, just to say I did it after all the effort I made. No sign of anything, btw.

I just wonder how our ancestors survived without all these regulations to keep them safe? It would help if I knew a hunter to answer the million stupid questions I have, I am the first in my family to hunt so I am really behind the game.

 

[nate18]

join the club. just keep an eye out for the black helicopters circling over head lol. best we can do is follow the regs best we can and continue to hunt.

 

[powdergun]

I know regs can be pretty ridiculous. Next thing you know left handed shooters will hunt on even days and right handed ones on odd days. If you want to be proactive many provinces allow input from wildlife federations and you can have an effect that way.

Hell we finally got Sunday hunting in Sask. a couple of years back. It only took 100 years to get that change.

Follow the regs and get out there and hunt. You are just as smart as the government BB stacker that wrote them.

 

[Polar Man]

One quick question,what, where and when the heck can you hunt with a muzzleloader?

Nevermind, I found it in the legal firearms section. I thought there was only some special Tobeatic muzzleloader event or something.

 

[nate18]

check the regs. depends on the province and also the area your looking to hunt in.

 

[rral22]

While I have a bit of sympathy for new hunters learning all the, sometimes complex, regulations, you need to just get over it. ALL hunters must know, understand, and follow all the regulations around gun ownership and hunting. That's just the facts.

Although I think some regulations where I hunt are not necessary, I have learned that it is impossible to underestimate the stupidity and lack of ethics of some hunters, so regulation will be needed. I wish there was more enforcement, actually, to help rid us of the idiots that made all the rules necessary.

I think you will find that the regulations, although complex, are quite understandable with a little effort, and perhaps a phone call or two to the local authorities for clarification. If you want to hunt, put some effort into learning what you need to know to do it legally, ethically, and humanely. And don't forget you also need to know what how to cope with a dead animal AFTER the hunt is over.

 

[Raton57]

Took me years to figure out Alberta's hunting regs and then I moved to Quebec. Alberta's regs have changed a lot over the years but still no sunday hunting down south. Here I can hunt sundays but the season is so short it still is only a couple extra days.One unfortunate thing is I left Alberta with 4 points towards a mule deer buck tag.

 

[DVXDUDE]

you'll have better luck after the big game seasons when snow is on the ground. If deer or moose hunts are well on their way right now, coyotes might not be too hungry with all them gut piles around.


they will respond to calls better in the winter, plus with less people in the bush, they might not be as spooky. Good luck and shoot every coyote you see

 

[crazydave]

Some reg's don"t make sense, it"s like that every where you go, but if it is really confusing just take a bit of time and head down to the mnr's office and get them to clarify it.
Saves grief in the end if stopped.

 

[Qhergt]

Also, finding a "mentor" in your area is a great help when you start hunting. It sure helped me lots, and now iv been the one mentoring.

 

[Polar Man]

Also, finding a "mentor" in your area is a great help when you start hunting. It sure helped me lots, and now iv been the one mentoring.

I have had the question in my sig for a full year last year, and for about a month ago I put it back, people want the sport to grow but no one is willing to take someone new hunting.