I'm a target shooter and know very little about hunting and hunting regs. So far, I've learned that you must be at least 12yrs old (15yrs if McSquinty raises it back up) in Ontario to hunt with an adult who is the holder of a valid hunting licence. My son just had his 9th birthday at the end of November and would like to try it out (small game). Are there any provisions to allow this - small game hunting licence or hunting in the U.S.? If so, I would take the hunter education course and get my hunting licence.
Minimum age to hunt in Ontario
- Thread starter promac
- Start date
- Location
- London,Ontario
I am certain that it is not illegal to take your child with you hunting if they are under the age of 12 so long as they do not fire a firearm or partake in the hunt but only spectate then your totally good to go.
in Ontario if you are in the woods during hunting season with out a huntting lic and your doing anything that is listed in the reg page 78 give you the definitions of hunting then the officer can charge you and they have charged people
stormbringer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- S.W. Ontario
My son (now 15) spent many days with me out in the woods while I was hunting.
Of course he was not hunting. He was out birdwatching..........he had binoculars and a bird Identifcation book with him and everything. The CO was quite put out about it when he came by...........but there was nothing he could do about it.
Of course he was not hunting. He was out birdwatching..........he had binoculars and a bird Identifcation book with him and everything. The CO was quite put out about it when he came by...........but there was nothing he could do about it.
Willy Tincup
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Owen Sound
Take him out to a remote farmers field [with permission] and let him shoot the hogs with immediate supervision. The fun is in shooting, not watching. A dead critter won't tell. Its activity, its education and it will be fun for him and he will want to be back.......wTc
You would have to be doing something pretty dumb to get harassed for having a kid with you.
I frequently take one or more of my kids when I hunt, my 4 yr old daughter was with me when I got my spring bird, and she will be going back. This fall I brought all 3 of my kids on a deer bow hunt, had to bring a blind to keep the movement as far from "hurricane" status as I could, we watched 17 turkeys pass in front of us, it went from anxious kids to 3 Little ones staring out the blind in awe, watching the huge birds walk past us, some as close as 3'. They too will be going back out with me. I listened as my 4 year old daughter asked quietly, "can we shoot one?" my 6 year old son whispered back, "not for 3 more weeks.." He was close.
I can not see a CO giving a guy a hard time for bringing a kid.
It will be a cold day in hell before I let anyone tell me my kids don't belong in the woods with their dad during hunting (archery) season. It's not like I use them to drive bush or let them shoot my guns, they are just there to watch, learn and share things that bond people.
Put a firearm in a kids hands in big game season and your mileage is very likely to vary.
Small game, enjoy, teach and watch them glow.
I frequently take one or more of my kids when I hunt, my 4 yr old daughter was with me when I got my spring bird, and she will be going back. This fall I brought all 3 of my kids on a deer bow hunt, had to bring a blind to keep the movement as far from "hurricane" status as I could, we watched 17 turkeys pass in front of us, it went from anxious kids to 3 Little ones staring out the blind in awe, watching the huge birds walk past us, some as close as 3'. They too will be going back out with me. I listened as my 4 year old daughter asked quietly, "can we shoot one?" my 6 year old son whispered back, "not for 3 more weeks.." He was close.
I can not see a CO giving a guy a hard time for bringing a kid.
It will be a cold day in hell before I let anyone tell me my kids don't belong in the woods with their dad during hunting (archery) season. It's not like I use them to drive bush or let them shoot my guns, they are just there to watch, learn and share things that bond people.
Put a firearm in a kids hands in big game season and your mileage is very likely to vary.
Small game, enjoy, teach and watch them glow.
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It is illegal for a child under 12 to possess a firearm in a hunting environment, but many, many people look at that law for what it is. I personally think that law is there to give a CO grounds if someone is being unsafe or abusing the privilege.
Shooting and hunting are two very different things, a kid shooting tin cans on a farm is not the same as a kid shooting rabbits on the same farm.
My opinion, if you are determined to do it, just be careful, I for one think you are doing the right thing, it will be rewarding for you and whomever you bring.
Use as much "better judgment and caution" as you possibly can. Enjoy and prepare to have memories stamped in to your heart.
Shooting and hunting are two very different things, a kid shooting tin cans on a farm is not the same as a kid shooting rabbits on the same farm.
My opinion, if you are determined to do it, just be careful, I for one think you are doing the right thing, it will be rewarding for you and whomever you bring.
Use as much "better judgment and caution" as you possibly can. Enjoy and prepare to have memories stamped in to your heart.
Willy Tincup
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Owen Sound
Right on Pyd. What a little sweetheart that girl is. Unfortunatly though, many of our present Ont CO's don't or can't use common sense and are primarily tax collectors.
And shooting at tin cans and hunting are two COMPLETELY different things.
In order to actually "hunt" the 12 year old has to take the safety course and get his apprenticeship licence.
Had my 12 year old nephew out a few times this season. He was so proud to be carrying his Outdoors card/hunting licence with him.
In order to actually "hunt" the 12 year old has to take the safety course and get his apprenticeship licence.
Had my 12 year old nephew out a few times this season. He was so proud to be carrying his Outdoors card/hunting licence with him.
- Location
- London,Ontario
We are talking a child here, as long as they are wearing blaze orange "in certain parts of Canada where it is required" there is NOT a problem. You try asking a CO next time you see him/her if they are willing to press charges on a 9yo for taking a father son/daughter walk with their child in the bush
There wont be a problem, why? because I know a good friend that actually ran into this situation when he was out with his 7 year old son.
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- Location
- London,Ontario
Now that is what it's all about right there.. damn it, I wish I was a father
That was a good story. Cute girl and thanks for sharing the pictures!
That was a good story. Cute girl and thanks for sharing the pictures!
You would have to be doing something pretty dumb to get harassed for having a kid with you.
I frequently take one or more of my kids when I hunt, my 4 yr old daughter was with me when I got my spring bird, and she will be going back. This fall I brought all 3 of my kids on a deer bow hunt, had to bring a blind to keep the movement as far from "hurricane" status as I could, we watched 17 turkeys pass in front of us, it went from anxious kids to 3 Little ones staring out the blind in awe, watching the huge birds walk past us, some as close as 3'. They too will be going back out with me. I listened as my 4 year old daughter asked quietly, "can we shoot one?" my 6 year old son whispered back, "not for 3 more weeks.." He was close.
I can not see a CO giving a guy a hard time for bringing a kid.
It will be a cold day in hell before I let anyone tell me my kids don't belong in the woods with their dad during hunting (archery) season. It's not like I use them to drive bush or let them shoot my guns, they are just there to watch, learn and share things that bond people.
Put a firearm in a kids hands in big game season and your mileage is very likely to vary.
Small game, enjoy, teach and watch them glow.
- Location
- London,Ontario
I suppose you are right there, with the outdoors card bit. But what if the child did not want to hunt, or was interested in learning to hunt first
Now if the child was walking around with their father with a pellet gun in their hand, ya hunting license required, or if they had a little .22 in their hand then I can see charges being laid. But for the kid to bond with their parent in the bush simply to only observe and enjoy nature. I do not see a problem with that.
Maybe you can do what the one person suggested, give the kid a pair of binos and a bird book just to play it safe. But I know that where I come from the one and only CO that patrols my area is an awesome guy and I know for a fact there wouldnt be a problem with it, dont know what they are like down in your neck of the woods.
But seeing that your living in Ontario, make sure the kid wears the blaze orange if your out in the bush in big game seasons. Any other time it is not required.
