Is passing a rifle to a non-PAL holder to shoot legal or not?

MD

MD

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My friend wants to go hunting and passed his CORE (we're in B.C.) and got an Initiation Licence but though he passed his CFSC exam, he's still waiting for his PAL to arrive.

I want to take him out before the any buck season is over in Region 3 here on Friday next week.

Under federal law am I allowed to hand him the rifle when we see a deer or do we officially both need a PAL for me to lend him the gun, even for a minute?
 
I believe it is taught in the pal course that it is ok under supervision. Within arms length rings a big bell. Now go get a deer!
 
Initiation Licence

Effective April 1, 2013, the new Initiation Hunting Licence for first time hunters aged 18 or older will be in effect. The requirements to complete CORE and to hold a Hunter Number Card are waived for this one-time-only licence.

It is anticipated the new licence will be available at Service BC locations and local vendors no later than March 20, 2013.

The initiation hunting licence is a new type of mentoring licence that allows a person 18 years or older who has never previously held a hunting licence in B.C. to try hunting for a one-year period. It is a one-time-only licence.

Government is introducing the new licence at $19.00 ($15.00 licence fee plus $4.00 Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation surcharge).

To be eligible for the initiation hunting licence, a person:

must be a B.C. resident,
must be 18 years or older,
must not have held a B.C. hunting licence in the past, with the exception of a youth (junior) hunting licence, and
must be under the close personal supervision of a licensed adult who satisfies the qualifications to be a supervising hunter.
 
Longwalker said:
Anyone can shoot a firearm if they are under the supervision of a person who can legally possess it.
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Exactly this, I've had RCMP and CO's check my license while out in the bush while teaching new unlicensed operators how to shoot and it is perfectly legal.


This is also how ranges that rent firearms to general public are allowed to stay in business, a licensed shooter/staff member supervises the non licensed persons.


Have a great time on your hunt.
 
wbaad said:
I believe it is taught in the pal course that it is ok under supervision. Within arms length rings a big bell. Now go get a deer!
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Apparently the regulations don't specify how close you have to be to the shooter to supervise them but most instructors would opine that if you are within arm's length you have a chance to physically take control if the supervised shooter starts to do something dangerous, and that consensus is probably what a court would accept if called upon to judge a case. If I were supervising an unlicensed shooter on a hunt, I certainly wouldn't leave them on a stand and go off to another one.
 
TheTooner said:
Apparently the regulations don't specify how close you have to be to the shooter to supervise them but most instructors would opine that if you are within arm's length you have a chance to physically take control if the supervised shooter starts to do something dangerous, and that consensus is probably what a court would accept if called upon to judge a case. If I were supervising an unlicensed shooter on a hunt, I certainly wouldn't leave them on a stand and go off to another one.
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The regs do actually say something about how close you have to be. I think its within sight and within speaking distance. Something like that...
 
Suther said:
The regs do actually say something about how close you have to be. I think its within sight and within speaking distance. Something like that...
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Do not confuse provincial hunting regulations with federal firearms regulations. The PAL holder is responsible for the firearm, how can you be responsible for the firearm if you aren't close enough to immediately take control of the firearm?
 
Another note on the Initiation licence.
The person holding the licence can not buy hunting tags or put into LEH draws.

they would be hunting on the supervisors tags and bag limit.

Just went threw it with a friend that wanted to try hunting.
 
I usually stay well within arms reach when I take my wife shooting, just to prevent any drastic thoughts she may have. :)
 
Suther said:
The regs do actually say something about how close you have to be. I think its within sight and within speaking distance. Something like that...
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Not an exact measure of distance, but still a specification, so that's useful. If only because it would put the commonly used "within arm's reach" well within the requirement.
 
Quote Originally Posted by Suther View Post
The regs do actually say something about how close you have to be. I think its within sight and within speaking distance. Something like that...


TheTooner said:
Not an exact measure of distance, but still a specification, so that's useful. If only because it would put the commonly used "within arm's reach" well within the requirement.
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That quoted distance is a reference for a Permit to Accompany and refers to the distance required between the non resident and the permit holder. AFAIK it has nothing to do with supervision of a non Pal holder.
 
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