ontario hunter opinions pls...

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Smcx

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So let me clarify that I'm not currently a hunter. I may at some point in the future get my lic and I know a couple of people that deer/bear/moose hunt. I don't know the regulations at all...

The question now is, if I were to buy a hunting rifle that can be legal for deer up to moose for southern/central ontario, what caliber would you suggest? Apparently .30 cal and over is not allowed in some areas? I'm hoping to get just one rifle that can fit the bill for both types of hunting if possible.

Thanks in advance!
 
Smcx said:
So let me clarify that I'm not currently a hunter. I may at some point in the future get my lic and I know a couple of people that deer/bear/moose hunt. I don't know the regulations at all...

The question now is, if I were to buy a hunting rifle that can be legal for deer up to moose for southern/central ontario, what caliber would you suggest? Apparently .30 cal and over is not allowed in some areas? I'm hoping to get just one rifle that can fit the bill for both types of hunting if possible.

Thanks in advance!
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The first step is deciding where and what you will be hunting..... Looks like you have the what down... But we need the where before making reccomendations
 
If you hunt below Hwy 89 in Ontario there is no rifle season for big game, it's shotgun, muzzleloader and bows only. Unless you're hunting small game including coyote and wolf you are allowed a rifle under .275 caliber, the .270 calibers are allowed (.277). Above that most places allow rifles for all big game, there's a million good cartridges out there. If you're in the slow and heavy camp, you can't beat a .45-70, also look at .444 or 450 marlin, .375 winchester or .38-55 may interest you too. If you're in the light and fast anything .25-06 and up is adequate for deer and moose. The .270 winchester is good all around cartridge, it allows you to hunt small game anywhere in Ontario and is still plenty of gun for deer or moose, ammo is everywhere and there's a ton of bullet choices. The 6.5x55mm also is in that category. Here's a few more to look at: 7x57, 7mm rem mag, .308 win, .30-06, or .303 British. Personally I think a .270 winchester or a .270 wsm ( if you want more power) is about as good as you can get for an all around Ontario cartridge. Another possibility would be a rifled shotgun, 12 or 20 gauge, plenty accurate and powerful, with the 20 gauge being ballistically superior.
 
Typically Up north you are free to shoot 30 cal + south of Hwy 7 .275 cal max. Generally only deer south of Hwy 7 and most areas south of 7 are controlled shotgun only for deer. If I was to council a new hunter.....buy a multiple barrel and multiple choke shotgun and you can kill anything in North America if you get with in 100yrds. After some experience in the areas you commonly hunt. You will have learned enough to purchase the right rifle for you!

My 2 cents
 
Smcx said:
well that's interesting... according to that document, a bow is a firearm :/

still reading...
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A bow is and isn't a firearm... it depends on which legislation and/or bylaws you are looking at. For the purposes of "hunting" a bow "is" a firearm. As it relates to municipal discharge laws, a bow usually "is not" a firearm... and in most sections of the FA, a bow "is not" considered a firearm.
 
Ok so after a quick read... there is no calibre restrictions on any big game ,(deer,elk,bear,moose), anywhere, other than you have to be ethical. The restriction is simply whether you can or cannot use a centerfire rifle. For small game, (wolf, coyote etc) there are calibre restrictions of under .275, and under 400ft/lbs in an open season for large game unless you have a large game tag. Apparently in order to satisfy both requirements, in places that have the small game requirement (when hunting small game), a calibre under .275 works (as long as you have a big game tag). The only other reference to a calibre is for hunting raccoons (.22 rimfire).

Am I getting this right so far?
 
Smcx said:
Ok so after a quick read... there is no calibre restrictions on any big game ,(deer,elk,bear,moose), anywhere, other than you have to be ethical. The restriction is simply whether you can or cannot use a centerfire rifle. For small game, (wolf, coyote etc) there are calibre restrictions of under .275, and under 400ft/lbs in an open season for large game unless you have a large game tag. Apparently in order to satisfy both requirements, in places that have the small game requirement (when hunting small game), a calibre under .275 works (as long as you have a big game tag). The only other reference to a calibre is for hunting raccoons (.22 rimfire).

Am I getting this right so far?
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That's the first part.... Read down farther and it will tell you where the .275 rule is in effect.... It lists all of the counties... You also need to know what WMU you will be hunting in and make sure it even has a rifle season.....
 
Clear as mud isn't it! Read the deer and moose sections as well regarding minimum energy requirements. All I can tell you is check the WMU restrictions in the WMU you'd like to hunt. If you want a do all rifle a .270 would be large enough to take a moose a keep you legal to hunt coyotes with in southern Ontario. You would not be able to carry the .270 while any big game seasons are open in southern Ontario. And you can't carry slugs or 00 buck unless there is an open big game season and you hold a tag!

Hope that helps ?
 
Smcx said:
well that's interesting... according to that document, a bow is a firearm :/

still reading...
Click to expand...

Air guns, pellet guns, bows, etc are firearms when used for the purpose of hunting. In terms of purchasing, owning and using them for other purpose they are not deemed firearms.
 
ok so lets say there's a bow only season open for deer in whatever WMU, and I don't have a tag, but I want to hunt coyote. What would satisfy that requirement? I can't even think of anything?
 
CHeck your WMU, there are smart phone apps that tell you this info also. Season, the WMU, cal. ect ect...

Best to check what you hunting buddies are using. (assuming they are experienced)
 
Smcx said:
ok so lets say there's a bow only season open for deer in whatever WMU, and I don't have a tag, but I want to hunt coyote. What would satisfy that requirement? I can't even think of anything?
Click to expand...

What are you asking ? If you can hunt yotes while its open bow ? Yea giv'r

I like my 223 for SW Ont yotes.
 
.25-06, .243, .257 Roberts, .22-250, .204 Ruger, .223 ..... All great coyote cake if loaded right and all under .275...... And the .243 and up are all very suitable deer rifles......
 
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