PAL required?

LawrenceN

LawrenceN

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Good day fellow hunters. Being an old fart, I may be out of touch with some of the new regs. Does anyone know for a certainty if you are required to have your PAL on your person when you're hunting with a rifle? My nephew was turkey hunting and, while coming out of the bush, was stopped by a passing OPP officer while walking down a road back toward his vehicle. He had his shotgun unloaded and cradle carried. The cop questioned him and was obviously looking for something to charge him with. Fortunately, he had his wallet and his PAL, and the cop grudgingly let him go as he was doing nothing illegal. When I'm deer hunting in the bush (Haliburton/Minden area), I don't have my wallet, and thus my PAL, with me. We've never seen a CO or a cop over all these years, but better safe than sorry. Please, no thoughts or opinions, but are you legally required to have the PAL with you?
 
You should have your PAL with you when you are using or transporting a firearm. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as also dropped the distinct green "Hunters Card" in favour of a generic Outdoors Card that anyone can buy (same card for both fishermen and hunters). The only way Conservation Officers can establish if you are certified hunter is by requesting your PAL. By the same token the Turkey Hunting Safety Course was dropped. All decisions to lower the cost of administrating the program at the expense of convenience (and safety).
 
Yes.
Never been asked for it in me travels.
My wallet is always with me.
Bigg'un like George Cantstanzya.
Frunt right pawkitt.

Never know when a ker-pow deal is humbling waiting.
 
There is no criminal offence for not having your PAL on you . However, your firearms maybe seized until you prove you have one. 117.03 Criminal Code
 
Never been asked for it here by a CO but I carry it with me anyway, you never know when a good deal will turn up.
 
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Page 18 of the 2020 Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary. second paragraph. ...... If you are in possession of a gun ............
 
hunter5425 said:
Never been asked for here by a CO but I carry it with me anyway, you never know when a good deal will turn up.
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Me neither.
I've been stopped numerous times by CO's in Alberta and all they were ever interested in was my hunting license, tags, harvested animals, etc. and have never asked to see my PAL.
 
I was just yesterday stopped by an Ontario CO. He specifically asked to see my PAL and Outdoors card. Regarding the Outdoors card, he checked that it had a small game endorsement. Wish now I had asked what the consequences of not having PAL on hand would be. Probably not good.
A thread called "ask a CO" would be great if we had members that were wildlife enforcement officers from across the country to field questions.
 
handofzeus said:
POSSESSION, Acquisition License. If you are in possession of a firearm you need to prove that you are permitted to be so.
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This and Carrying an extra 7,5 oz is worth the hassle of having a ticket or your guns being seized. Trust me I had to learn the hard way and I take extra precautions now.
 
I’ve flown the COs around quite a bit looking for poachers and they always ask for the PAL. Especially when they catch people on quads with their rifles loaded.
 
wheelin_ca said:
your firearm endorsement does not change on your hunting license of you are prohibited from owning guns. The PAL confirms the guns are legal for you to use... If archery hunting, they will obviously not check your PAL
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A PAL does not confirm you are a licensed hunter.
 
wow.... this thread..... is it april fools or sumthin?

of course under todays regime you have to have your PAL on you when using your firearms..... for anything....... Duh!
 
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