Migratory Bird, first time out, couple questions

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daver36

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Amaranth Township, Ontario
So I just got my migratory permit. This is my first year doing this and I had a couple questions that I couldn't seem to find on the Service Canada page. So here goes:

1) Is there any rules about using a bow to hunt birds? I couldn't find anything. I may sound like a dumb question, but my Dad have 2 acres severed off my uncles farm. At any given day if the fall, I could take one step into the field, pull the trigger on the 12 gauge, and be over limit for that day. There is seriously that many in the field. A bow would be a lot more selective in that scenario.

2) Somebody at one point told be there's rules and regulation about shooting/hunting ducks/geese out of a boat. Size of boat, where you're aloud, that sorta thing. Is this true? And if so, where would I find these rules.

Thanks in advance everyone. I'm still pretty new to hunting in general. I figured I'd try this out at the beginning of this year, it should be a lot more action for my boys instead of taking them out for 4 hours just to see no deer, lol.

Cheers,
Dave
 
You are only allowed to use a shotgun for migratory birds. The migratory regs are Federal, not provincial, so that applies to all of Canada. I only hunt fields, so I can't really help you with your other question.

Jim
 
Londonshooter said:
At least as far as the federal migratory bird laws are concerned a bow is ok, but not a crossbow. As to boats, only limitation I'm aware of is that the boat must not be in motion.
https://www.canada.ca/en/environmen...-hunting/frequently-asked-questions.html#toc5
Sorry, don't know whether Ontario places any further restrictions regarding use of bow.
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That actually states longbow (ie not recurve, not compound, not crossbow). As far as I know this is new. Thanks for the heads up.

Jim
 
Not sure where long bow came from.
Here's what the f.a.q. states

Q: Is it legal to use a compound bow for hunting waterfowl?
Answer: Yes, in Canada, a compound or recurve bow may be used to hunt migratory game birds.
 
CrazyNut said:
If you really have that many birds... I'd be happy to come out there and fill my bag.
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No, me! Me!
Will bring my slingshot.

Haha, got looking into the regs this past week because I want to hunt woodcock where there is a strong possibility of running into a CO. Confirmed what I thought that in Ontario woodcock may be shot with lead. So confirmed I have been legal all this time! Nontoxic only though in Ontario for mourning doves (which leads me to suspect that most dove shot in Ontario are harvested illegally.)
For the dove hunter there's not much #8 steel for sale on the market. Or #7.5 bismuth available for reloaders.
 
Londonshooter said:
Not sure where long bow came from.
Here's what the f.a.q. states

Q: Is it legal to use a compound bow for hunting waterfowl?
Answer: Yes, in Canada, a compound or recurve bow may be used to hunt migratory game birds.
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I actually read the first question in your link "What kind of weapons are allowed for hunting waterfowl?". That's where it says longbow. I now see that further down the page under a different question, it says compound and recurve are ok as well.

Jim
 
Londonshooter said:
Nontoxic only though in Ontario for mourning doves (which leads me to suspect that most dove shot in Ontario are harvested illegally.)
For the dove hunter there's not much #8 steel for sale on the market. Or #7.5 bismuth available for reloaders.
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Fasteel makes it and I always see it on the shelves. There's even a box or two in my pile, somewhere....
 
daver36 said:
Man, I walked across the field last year to check a field cam. 8f I said 300 birds took off i might be underestimating. My uncle has had geese/duck hunters there for years though, I'm the new guy. Sorry, not in the position to invite, lol.
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I would suggest joining the hunters that are already there and learn from them. Goose hunting seems really easy from afar, once in the field things change fast. As for "At any given day if the fall, I could take one step into the field, pull the trigger on the 12 gauge, and be over limit for that day" That won't happen and if it did that be just flock shooting and you would end up injuring more birds than harvesting. The birds are tough and take a well placed shot.
Join the group that's there, listen and learn. Pay attention to the listen and learn or unless your uncle makes them, they may not invite you back. It's a great time but it is more challenging then you would believe.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAN8sIY3WNo

For those ole fudds in the thread...how about Red Fischer and Scuttle But Lodge where someplace in Northern Ontario they would be out hunting or fishin or swappin tails.
There is a lost episode with Red and his guest shootin long bows at geese and ducks from a blind.
If the Op wants to be selective, I suggest a single shot CIL 20 gauge for his first foray into the field at his uncles farm.
Not saying it can not be done, but you gotta have some serious eye/hand co-ordination.
Good Hunting.
Rob
 
Where do the arrows land after being flung at geese? Would a farmer appreciate one in his tractor tire? Seems ridiculous to me...
 
dilly said:
Where do the arrows land after being flung at geese? Would a farmer appreciate one in his tractor tire? Seems ridiculous to me...
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was a fair question, until you added the ridiculous part before you got an answer. The arrows you shoot at flying game don't go far and are very easy to find. Would be cost prohibitive otherwise.
Its challenging to bird hunt with a bow, but people do it, so have at it if your interested, despite what others who have no clue might add to this thread. Like the first guy who said its illegal to use anything but shotguns. I really wish people who don't know wouldn't spread their beliefs as fact when someone asks a question. But I guess that is what the internet is anymore.
 
dilly said:
Where do the arrows land after being flung at geese? Would a farmer appreciate one in his tractor tire? Seems ridiculous to me...
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As other posters have said Flu Flu for attempting to wingshoot with a bow. I've also used more conventional gear and taken them on the ground similar to a turkey, it was a fairly developed area where geese where flying into a pond and walking into a cut field. Its do able but I'd recommend a ground blind.

Yanger316 said:
Shooting off a boat is okay as long as it doesn’t have a motor
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It can have a motor but propulsion from it has to have stopped. Local water bodies and jurisdictions may have different rules.
 
FLHTCUI said:
They do not go far maybe 20 yrds..ok 30, but they have larger feathers on them called flu-flues , so easy to find....
Rob
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I was aware of flu-flus. Never considered it. Makes sense now I suppose.

Any conventional arrow I have launched into the air promptly vanished never to be seen again. I had visions of them stuck in some adjacent field waiting to be ploughed under.
 
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