Hunting with a handgun?
- Thread starter freeflier
- Start date
We used to be able to, but in the interest of keeping the urban criminals safe we no longer can. - dan
The only way I know of is that if you have a trap line. You can then apply to get an ATT for the use of dispatching live animals in traps.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Now this presents an interesting possibility. My ATC is for wildlife defense and states that I cannot draw the gun from its holster unless I feel that my life is threatened; but I wonder if a trapper can legally take a ptarmigan for the pot with his belt gun? If any trappers out there have an ATC, what is the wording on it?
In practical terms, no you can't get a license to hunt with a handgun (or other restricted class gun) in Canada. You can get a license to possess a handgun, and an ATT to the U.S. border, and there are parts of the U.S. that allow hunting with a handgun.
Also, though it isn't really what you were asking, when you apply for a restricted license you will be asked for what purpose you want to own a restricted gun. The only answers that the bureaucracy accepts as valid are collecting or target shooting. They think the only shooting you can legally do with a restricted gun is target shooting because the CFOs operate a policy of issuing ATTs only to approved ranges, nowhere else that it would be legal to discharge a firearm at anything. So stating a purpose such as "self-defence" or "hunting" will fail to get you a restriced license.
It would be interesting to hear of someone applying for a restricted license and stating their purpose is "hunting" and when they are told that is not a legitimate purpose, pointing out to the bureaucrats that they intend to take the gun out of the country to hunt, and asking for details of any law or regulation saying they can't.
Also, though it isn't really what you were asking, when you apply for a restricted license you will be asked for what purpose you want to own a restricted gun. The only answers that the bureaucracy accepts as valid are collecting or target shooting. They think the only shooting you can legally do with a restricted gun is target shooting because the CFOs operate a policy of issuing ATTs only to approved ranges, nowhere else that it would be legal to discharge a firearm at anything. So stating a purpose such as "self-defence" or "hunting" will fail to get you a restriced license.
It would be interesting to hear of someone applying for a restricted license and stating their purpose is "hunting" and when they are told that is not a legitimate purpose, pointing out to the bureaucrats that they intend to take the gun out of the country to hunt, and asking for details of any law or regulation saying they can't.
In Ontario, the CFO have flip-floped on this issue for years.
At one point they worked on the theory that the ATC gun was to defend the trapper from larger animals looking for an easy meal. They wouldn't permit a gun smaller than .357.
Later, they worked on the theory that the ATC gun was to humanely dispatch animals not killed in the trap, and wouldn't approve anything but a .22lr.
As for using the ATC gun to hunt while on the trap line, I don't recall ever hearing the topic addressed.
- Location
- Airdrie, Alberta
As stated, we are not allowed to hunt with restricted weapons. I do wish I was allowed to carry on my hip while hunting with a rifle or bow though, agh in a perfect world.
No, they cannot. BUT, usually a trapper is in the middle nowhere with nobody around for miles and miles. So, if they pull out a .22 pistol and blow away a grouse and then bring it back to their trapper shack for supper; who is gonna know?
My permit read: For use in connection with his lawful profession or occupation as a bear baiter.
Conditions: must comply with the provisions of the Game and Fish act, weapon may be worn on person (we carried concealed), not valid for automatic weapons, permit valid only in the province of Ontario.
Conditions: must comply with the provisions of the Game and Fish act, weapon may be worn on person (we carried concealed), not valid for automatic weapons, permit valid only in the province of Ontario.
The misinformation provided from the CFSC and CRFSC is significant. Take an instructor with only a familiarity with the provided lesson plans - and no real familiarity with the actual relevant law - and combine that with the weaknesses of verbal communication from these authoritative inexperts to green-as-grass students (and the potential for misinterpretation), and the die is set.
How many CFSC/CRFSC students have been told by their instructor that unless they were licensed it was illegal to even touch a firearm - even under the direct supervision of a licensed person - and that, if they had ever done so (while unlicensed), that they had broken the law?
Sorry for my ignorance, where does it say you can only shoot a restricted at a range? I thought the hurdles were the RCMP wouldn't issue att/atc AND most provinces did not allow it in the regs...
Couldn't you get a courier to transport your AR15 to your combination tent/hunting blind which is of course your temp residence and a legal place to possess a restricted. From which you could inturn start hunt coyotes because it is also your blind..
Couldn't you get a courier to transport your AR15 to your combination tent/hunting blind which is of course your temp residence and a legal place to possess a restricted. From which you could inturn start hunt coyotes because it is also your blind..
I hunt with my hand gun all the time. 
It's just too bad I only hunt pieces of paper at the range
It would be nice to be able to know you've got that extra piece of security in case a cougar comes up on you from behind, hard to use your rifle in close to save yourself
It's just too bad I only hunt pieces of paper at the range
It would be nice to be able to know you've got that extra piece of security in case a cougar comes up on you from behind, hard to use your rifle in close to save yourself
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Anybody got more details on when it stopped being legal?
