hunting animals which are not mentioned in the hunting relulations?

OK, I think I understand. So basically it is pretty much not possible to hunt beaver/otter if you don't have a trapping license. In order to have a trapping license, you need to have a trapping line. But if you have a trapping line, you need to trap/harvest animals. (there is a mandatory quota) And it seems there is a long waiting list for available trapping lines. So the occassional/opportunistic hunting for this animals is pretty much closed for me. :( (I live in Toronto and happy to get to the forest a few times a year)
Hunting for the other kind of beaver is forbidden too, because I have a wife, and she has a bigger handgun then I have. :)

Back to the hunting for "exotic" animals: Is there any way to participate in seal hunting? Do somebody know something about that?

And yeah, pigeons??
 
Beaver can be shot if you are protecting private property. I have a trapping license but not a registered trapline. I do all my trapping on private land. Mostly my own and nuisance beaver removals. I prefer not to shoot beaver as they are a pain in the ass to recover, even with a head shot they will thrash all over the place and usually die in the middle of the pond or on the far side.

As for lists, go to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, Section X, Schedules 1 and 2.

If you are a trapper and on your trapline, you can usually shoot any furbearer you want, however bullet holes are not good when trying to sell furs.
 
...And yeah, pigeons??

Question 124:

Having recently posted a query on a web board about hunting opportunities in the off season, it quickly became evident that there is much confusion about the status of pigeons in this province. This has been further confused by the recent changes in regulations regarding the control of pest species. Some people seem to think that they are protected, others that they are not, and some believe that they can be shot only if they are causing problems for a landowner, in which case the new rules concerning pest control may or may not come into effect. I have in years past seen an article in Ontario Out of Doors which stated that pigeon shooting used to be popular until the use of insecticides in the 1960s killed off most of the pigeons as well, only to make a comeback in more recent times as the use of such chemicals has been greatly curtailed. I have even seen pigeon decoys in stores and bought several of them myself just to have available during hunting trips in so! uthern Ontario. I read the article at least several years ago however, and would like to know their present status. Even if it is legal to shoot them for pest control, would this make it illegal to shoot at pigeons that I may come across while hunting in smaller Regional Forests and plots of Crown Land that are scattered throughout southern Ontario farm country? As you could probably tell from this query, I would like to eat any pigeons that I may shoot, but I would also like to know if the laws against spoilage of game meat would also apply to them.

Once again, this issue has resulted in much debate on the Hunting Board on which I first mentioned it, where some people have questioned the practice while others say that they have been shooting the birds for years.

Asked June 24, 2001

Answer from the MNR

I am not sure what you are referring to when you indicate "the recent changes in regulations regarding the control of pest species." Notwithstanding that point, I will try to clarify the laws around hunting of these birds in Ontario.

Pigeons are among a number of species in Ontario that may be hunted year round. This list of species includes animals which are not generally considered "game" but are also hunted. This list includes crows, groundhogs, and porcupines, for example. For this reason, they are not listed as game animals in the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act.

As a result, the regulations regarding spoilage do not apply to these animals. That being said, there needs to be some responsible behaviour amongst the hunting community who might want to pursue these animals. For example, for the benefit of the sport it would obviously not be wise to kill several dozen or more of these animals and leave them lying on the roadside.

There are no limits on the number of pigeons, groundhogs, etc., that may be shot.

However, all other hunting laws apply - eg. no hunting from a roadway, no discharge from or on a vehicle, daylight hours, wearing of hunter orange during big game seasons, etc., etc.

In general, one requires a valid small game licence in order to hunt these birds. The exception is to a landowner who may shoot these birds on his or her own land in defence of their property.
Ask the CO FAQ

I would call the CO first and get an answer in writing, if possible. Or at least a ref. to regs or laws.
 
I just found out that in Alberta beavers are considered pests and they can be shot.

I've just been invited to go out to just east of Lloydminster next spring when the pelts are in their prime and do some beaver culling...

They usually use 22LR's but I am considering taking my 17HMR & 223 Rem because the guys are telling me that these things get up to 50lbs... :)
 
Keep it simple, some WMU are open 12 months a year for yote and wolf. Crows are open mostly all the time. Turkey in the spring and someplaces the fall. Ground hogs on farmers property, are open regularly if you can find a farm to hunt. Lots of options before you head all the way up north for a seal
(I live in Toronto and happy to get to the forest a few times a year)
Hunting for the other kind of beaver is forbidden too, because I have a wife, and she has a bigger handgun then I have. :)

Back to the hunting for "exotic" animals: Is there any way to participate in seal hunting? Do somebody know something about that?

And yeah, pigeons??
 
when i was young i worked with a trapper and set snares for red squirrel, which fetched a whole $1-1.50. we were allowed to trap on a land owners property that hd not seen trapping for a very long time. we set a connibear (i believe thats how its spelled) in a hole in the ice with aspen for bait and came back to find it sprung with probably the largest beaver i have ever seen he weighed just about eighty pounds and stretched larger than the 4x4' board we had! we had to stretch him on the side of the cabin, he was that big! the trapper called him "a super blanket" if that term means any thing to you old timers. i was fifteen at the time and remember it as if it were yesterday. thirty years have passed since then but although i have never eaten the furry beaver (as apposed to the hairless or bearded beaver) the indians used to say they were quite good but oily.
 
I just found out that in Alberta beavers are considered pests and they can be shot.

I've just been invited to go out to just east of Lloydminster next spring when the pelts are in their prime and do some beaver culling...

They usually use 22LR's but I am considering taking my 17HMR & 223 Rem because the guys are telling me that these things get up to 50lbs... :)

Growing up my neighbour would let me skin the beavers some idiot tried to kill with a .22 rifle. If you shoot a beaver with a .22 and it isn't a perfect hit the beaver will survive, but the hide afterwards is worthless because of the scar. Problem is trappers are legally responsible to skin/flesh it out even if it is worthless, so they still have to put in the time, plus the time and cost of making the set with no reward. Just a heads up for everyone reading, use something larger ;)
 
Thats correct you need to have a registered trap line, that must be posted. And you need to apply for a liscense. They do give out liscencs if you have a l ine to trap them on. There is a quota I believe you must mantain. You can only trap beavers in a trap. they sell the pelts and also remove nusiance gritters from dry land thats been turned into wetlands by tree eating machines. I would like to know if you can shoot them on private land if they are destroying property by flooding it and cutting down healthy trees. Or I suppose you hire the trapper to do it legally.

You can also underwater snare beavers (awesome method, and often can snare multi beavers with the same set). Your legally allowed to protect private property against beavers. No need to hire a trapper. The local trapping association will have a list of trappers for nusiance beavers. You call the MNR, they'll issue the proper paperwork and contact cloest trapper, or atleast that's how it's suppost to work.

I've said this before and i'll say it again, contact your local trapping association, most have atleast 2 meetings a year, open to the public (might be small fee like $4 to enter) where you'll hear about outdoor, and trapping issues, also be able to ask questions and meet some of the local fellas who often spend the most time in the bush. MNR often show, and answer questions too.
 
Gents,

Is it possible that the "hunting regulations" we can download from the MNR website is just the short version of the "fish and wildlife conservation act"?
http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_980670_e.htm#Top

That act mentions the hunting season for beaver and otter. Does it mean I can hunt beaver with the small game license? Or I'm completely confused?

"Traping" seems to be a full fledged profession, with licensing, rights and responsibilities (like mandatory quota)

Short version, correct, long version HERE
 
I've wondered this very same question from the OP. I live in Yellowknife currently, and there are a few species that are certainly not indigenous to North of 60, such as deer. It seems that the ranges of certain animals are changing and the wildlife office obviously is not quick to acknowledge their existence. Deer are not in the regs up here, nor are tags available to hunt them. Yet, over the last 5-6 years , I have seen increasing numbers of them. And just this past spring, I saw one of the largest I have EVER seen, with a huge rack , just standing by the side of the road. When I slowed down, he never moved. I slowly got out of the jeep and he very slowly trotted towards the treeline. But, anyhow, what about when animals that doesn't exist in an area historically, suddenly decided to make the area their home. How long does it take for them to be given "resident status" and get a page in the hunting regulations. I really want to taste deer, shot by myself, but as long as they are "pretend" or "invisible" up here, I will never be able to hunt them. Sure would like to try deer hunting, makes one smarten up with his hunting methods real quick I hear.
 
"...pigeons??(SIC)..." Not in High Park or in front of Miller's palace. You can set up a statue as bait though. snicker. Some farmers may, I say again, may let you shoot pidgeons on their land. Messy beasts that eat food put out for chickens, etc.
 
Thanks for answer on pigeons dudu. They are a pain on the farm here getting into the barns and silos, their "manure" really eats through paint and metal quick. Have a 1000fps pellet gun just for them!
 
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