I am looking at muzzleloader hunting in Ontario using the Tradition Nitrofire. End of the day I have to drive down a cottage road from a private property to my cottage. It came to mind what is consider a loaded firearm for a muzzleloader by the authorities.
With the Nitrofire you can remove the primer and the Federal Firestick quickly by opening the hinge action, but pushing the bullet out is a bit of work. You have to push it out the way it came in. It would be nice if I don't have to do it so the next day hunt would be to insert Firestick and primer and ready to go.
So I pose the question to Ontario MNR. Here is the reply. It is a bit of a long read.
In my situation, looks like I have to push the bullet out at end of hunting day to avoid any hassles from the authorities.
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Hello,
Thank you for your email.
When it comes to muzzleloaders, federal and provincial definitions for what constitutes a loaded firearm differ.
Under the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, in the case of a percussion muzzleloader, if there’s a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel and a percussion cap on the nipple, it’s considered to be loaded.
In the case of a muzzleloader which is not a percussion muzzleloader, if there’s a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel and the vent is unplugged, it’s considered to be loaded.
Under the federal Firearms Act (Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations) a gun, including a muzzleloader, is considered to be unloaded if any propellant, projectile or cartridge that can be discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech or firing chamber of the firearm nor in the cartridge magazine attached to or inserted into the firearm.
Under the federal Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations Transportation of Non-restricted Firearms section, muzzleloaders must be stored and transported unloaded.
There are, however, some exceptions, including storage at a hunt camp in a remote wilderness setting, or while being transported from one hunting site to another. In the latter case, while the muzzleloader does not have to be unloaded, it must have the firing cap or flint removed. Note that this exception does not apply to transporting anywhere other than from one hunting site to another. For further information on the Firearms Act and its regulations you should contact your local police.
Muzzleloading hunters could be held to either federal Firearms Act or the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act at the discretion of the Conservation Officer. Similarly, hunters dealing with provincial police forces might be subject to either standard.
Therefore, the most prudent course of action is to unload projectile and powder from muzzleloader when storing them after hunts or during transport.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011 or visit Ontario.ca/hunting.
Thank you once again.
NRISC web reader - AH
*******************************************
Natural Resources Information and Support Centre
Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
300 Water Street
Peterborough, ON K9J 3C7
Tel: 1-800-667-1940 / 1-800-387-7011
TTY: 1-866-686-6072
NRISC@ontario.ca
With the Nitrofire you can remove the primer and the Federal Firestick quickly by opening the hinge action, but pushing the bullet out is a bit of work. You have to push it out the way it came in. It would be nice if I don't have to do it so the next day hunt would be to insert Firestick and primer and ready to go.
So I pose the question to Ontario MNR. Here is the reply. It is a bit of a long read.
In my situation, looks like I have to push the bullet out at end of hunting day to avoid any hassles from the authorities.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,
Thank you for your email.
When it comes to muzzleloaders, federal and provincial definitions for what constitutes a loaded firearm differ.
Under the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, in the case of a percussion muzzleloader, if there’s a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel and a percussion cap on the nipple, it’s considered to be loaded.
In the case of a muzzleloader which is not a percussion muzzleloader, if there’s a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel and the vent is unplugged, it’s considered to be loaded.
Under the federal Firearms Act (Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations) a gun, including a muzzleloader, is considered to be unloaded if any propellant, projectile or cartridge that can be discharged from the firearm is not contained in the breech or firing chamber of the firearm nor in the cartridge magazine attached to or inserted into the firearm.
Under the federal Storage, Display, Transportation and Handling of Firearms by Individuals Regulations Transportation of Non-restricted Firearms section, muzzleloaders must be stored and transported unloaded.
There are, however, some exceptions, including storage at a hunt camp in a remote wilderness setting, or while being transported from one hunting site to another. In the latter case, while the muzzleloader does not have to be unloaded, it must have the firing cap or flint removed. Note that this exception does not apply to transporting anywhere other than from one hunting site to another. For further information on the Firearms Act and its regulations you should contact your local police.
Muzzleloading hunters could be held to either federal Firearms Act or the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act at the discretion of the Conservation Officer. Similarly, hunters dealing with provincial police forces might be subject to either standard.
Therefore, the most prudent course of action is to unload projectile and powder from muzzleloader when storing them after hunts or during transport.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact the Natural Resources Information and Support Centre at 1-800-387-7011 or visit Ontario.ca/hunting.
Thank you once again.
NRISC web reader - AH
*******************************************
Natural Resources Information and Support Centre
Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry
300 Water Street
Peterborough, ON K9J 3C7
Tel: 1-800-667-1940 / 1-800-387-7011
TTY: 1-866-686-6072
NRISC@ontario.ca
