I heard conflicting info from the gun shop and hunting instructor. I am aware of the center fire rule for hunting game. Where can I read up on minium and maximum calibers. I heard certain regions or municipalities have more specific rules. I am not planning on hunting anytime soon but am doing alot of reading and looking for a mentor. My research has not turned up good information regarding min/ max calibers for rifles. Any links or resources would be much appreciated.
Ontario Caliber Regs and Bylaws
- Thread starter tenthree
- Start date
Download the PDF hunting regulation summary for Ontario, and do a keyword search for: "calibre", "caliber" and "rifle". This will provide most of the info you need. It is usually broken down into some sort of wildlife management unit, and sometimes subunits within each one, wherein the regulations will specify firearms permitted to be used per game species. And these Reg summaries usually will specify for what species rimfire is allowed/not allowed, shotgun only, shotgun min/max shot size for some species, and minimum centerfire rifle calibers per game species.
Generally the provincial/territorial regulations will provide the rules for bows vs rifle/shotgun seasons. e.g. if it is a shotgun-only season for deer, you know that rifles are not allowed for deer hunting.
However this may not cover specific regulations for specific municipalities. In the case of municipalities you might need to contact them for specific regulations if the hunting regulations summary is vague.
Generally the provincial/territorial regulations will provide the rules for bows vs rifle/shotgun seasons. e.g. if it is a shotgun-only season for deer, you know that rifles are not allowed for deer hunting.
However this may not cover specific regulations for specific municipalities. In the case of municipalities you might need to contact them for specific regulations if the hunting regulations summary is vague.
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verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
Outside of the general hunting regs, you will need to look up the bylaws for the various municipalities which you have interest in.
If they have discharge laws, such as no firearms over .275 caliber, they will be found there.
If they have discharge laws, such as no firearms over .275 caliber, they will be found there.
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
If it is a general discharge bylaw, it applies to both hunting and target shooting. A range in that municipality may be exempt, but the back 40 is not.
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Tagged.
Download a copy of the current Hunting regulation summary, check to make sure the firearm you intend to use is legal for the game you intend to hunt in the WMU in which you intend to hunt it. Then check with you local municipality, there be discharge laws, ie: proximity to towns and villages, there are several areas like this in my area. Don't always believe the locals, just because somebody said it is okay, or not, does not necessarily make it so, its your ass potentially on the line, KNOW it to be true by getting the information for yourself.
Re:
I think you are referring to small game hunting? In Ontario big game can be hunted with larger rifle calibers in many wildlife management units, and no rifle allowed in some other WMU's. In the Ontario Hunting Reg's summary, page 91 cites ".275" max for small game, with exceptions for muzzle loading rifles in specified municipalities.
And that same section also describes the laws around not carrying centerfire rifles or large pellet size shotshells during big game seasons if you don't have a license to hunt for those critters, and with alot of other essential fine print to read.
Its best to thoroughly read the summary Reg's first. And as other's mentioned, contact the municipality for specifics.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary
I think you are referring to small game hunting? In Ontario big game can be hunted with larger rifle calibers in many wildlife management units, and no rifle allowed in some other WMU's. In the Ontario Hunting Reg's summary, page 91 cites ".275" max for small game, with exceptions for muzzle loading rifles in specified municipalities.
And that same section also describes the laws around not carrying centerfire rifles or large pellet size shotshells during big game seasons if you don't have a license to hunt for those critters, and with alot of other essential fine print to read.
Its best to thoroughly read the summary Reg's first. And as other's mentioned, contact the municipality for specifics.
https://www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary
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I dont think ive ever seen a caliber restriction listed in a bylaw, always the <.270 in the hunting reg.
This may be referring to me. In SSW Ontario (Essex County) there are caliber restrictions below 270. For example, in Kingsville the maximum for hunting is a 243 Win with a 75 gr projectile. See my post https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...43-vs-270-for-hunting?p=17833787#post17833787 where I quote "Kingsville ON (near Windsor) has a maximum rifle caliber of 243 (see By-Law 10-2004 where it states you can't discharge "... any rifle greater than 6 millimetres (.243) in diameter carrying a varmint style projectile of more than 75 grains in weight". I believe Amherstburg and Essex also have 243 upper limits but I am not sure about those place.
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- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
It's based entirely on bore diameter. .275" most places where there is a restriction.
Not that it is bore diameter, or land diameter, NOT bullet diameter. The .270 Winchester is perfectly legal.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
These restrictions apply only to small game; most places where they have them are shotgun/ML-only areas for deer.
- Location
- Steel Town
^^^ correct. No restrictions for large game in many/most northern Ontario WMU's.
As noted above: Download a copy of the current Hunting regulation summary, check to make sure the firearm you intend to use is legal for the game you intend to hunt in the WMU.
