Shooting an airgun in Nova Scotia not hunting not at range or municipality

fat tony

fat tony

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What are the hoops to jump through if you are 'with an air rifle' on crown land in Nova Scotia. Just to be picky, let's say the air gun is pal rated.

I will be there for informal target practice, but I would be keeping that to myself, the 'official reason' would be (?) not sure what the official reason would be, probably 'hunting' some kind of unregulated, unprotected species, I need input on that hence the thread.

I am not talking about specific locations, so keep them to yourself, there are enough busy-bodies trying to #### up your 'firearm priveliges' in Nova Scotia.

Looking to keep my hand in shooting for cheap without a lot of fuss and bother.

Official ranges are becoming more and more of a pita in this province imo.
 
Your provincal natural resourses office should have all the info you need. In Ontario you can only carry a firearm on crown land during an open hunting season. (and of coarse you must be licensed) I have never had a issue with summer target practice at local gravel pits or while camping on crown land. Setting up a target in a safe area and cleaning up after, along with other areas of good judgment, has worked for me. We shoot air guns a lot while camping (the grandchildren love it) but noisy powder burners are left to the gravel pits or the private property of a friend.
 
You're only permitted in NS to buy/sell/keep an air gun for the strictly intended purpose of firing it on an approved firing range..

You are not allowed on crown land with one since it is not on the approved list of firearms for hunting and since we are not allowed to target shoot on crown land it is a no go for both activities.
In fact many towns have by laws that you cannot even own one. HRM was like that for years but changed it in 2007 I think.
Double check with the DNR since it has been maybe 5 years or so since I asked but would be suprised if they revised it..
It sucks and stupid for sure
 
I found some info:

Other harvestable wildlife

3 (1) For purposes of referring to the wildlife described in subsections (2) and (3) in these and other regulations made pursuant to the Act, such wildlife may be identified as “other harvestable wildlife”.



(2) The following other harvestable wildlife may be hunted in accordance with these regulations at the following times of the year:



Species Open Season

(a) coyote January 1 to December 31

(b) red squirrel November 1 to February 28

(c) crow September 1 to March 31

Clause 3(2)(d) repealed: O.I.C. 2008-465, N.S. Reg. 383/2008.

(e) bullfrog July 15 to September 30



(3) The following other harvestable wildlife may be hunted in accordance with these regulations at any time of the year by the owner or occupier of the property or agent of the owner or occupier for the purpose of preventing damage to property:



(a) mice and rats;

(b) voles, moles and shrews other than long-tailed shrews, Gaspe shrews and maritime shrews;

Clause 3(3)(b) amended: O.I.C. 2010-429, N.S. Reg. 89/2010.

(c) porcupine;

(d) woodchuck (groundhog);

(e) red squirrel and chipmunk;

(f) coyote;

(g) skunk;

(h) rock dove (common pigeon);

(i) crow;

(j) English sparrow;

(k) starling.



(4) Except as otherwise provided in the Act or regulations made pursuant to the Act, it shall be an offence for any person to hunt other harvestable wildlife other than as prescribed in this Section.



(5) No person shall hunt other harvestable wildlife unless the person is the holder of a valid base licence.



(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to an owner or occupier or an agent of an owner or occupier hunting other harvestable wildlife in accordance with subsection (3).
Click to expand...

I know there are those out there who know the entire list of regulations & ammendments by heart, but does the other harvestable wildlife licence apply to crown land or just someone's private property?
 
fat tony said:
I found some info:



I know there are those out there who know the entire list of regulations & ammendments by heart, but does the other harvestable wildlife licence apply to crown land or just someone's private property?
Click to expand...

Keep reading and you will find that the above act says you can't use anything that isn't on the list in each section - since AIR guns aren't on the list you can't legally use them any where or on any animal . Just target shooting on an approved range.
I have a rsw 34 and 52 and they have to be treated no different than my 30-06

Here fix the link and read what they boys have to say on the NS site
h ttp://novascotiahunting.com/forums/index.php?/topic/3783-air-gun-for-squirrels/
 
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I was going to put in a bit about the nuisance wildlife operator permit - seems to be the way to go - clerks get their pieces of silver and I get to cover my arse. Isn't Nova Scotia's 'licence culture' great? :rolleyes:

I am bringing my springer to the range tomorrow, want to start a betting pool on how many fudd comments I am going to get about it? :D
 
fat tony said:
I was going to put in a bit about the nuisance wildlife operator permit - seems to be the way to go - clerks get their pieces of silver and I get to cover my arse. Isn't Nova Scotia's 'licence culture' great? :rolleyes:

I am bringing my springer to the range tomorrow, want to start a betting pool on how many fudd comments I am going to get about it? :D
Click to expand...

Don't think there is any cover your ass option with an air gun here but call to be 100% since they just love nailing gun owners to a cross when they get a chance. Good Luck

Screw them. Nothing wrong with shooting a fine air gun . Sure helps one's shooting period. take care
 
3macs1 said:
You're only permitted in NS to buy/sell/keep an air gun for the strictly intended purpose of firing it on an approved firing range..

You are not allowed on crown land with one since it is not on the approved list of firearms for hunting and since we are not allowed to target shoot on crown land it is a no go for both activities.
In fact many towns have by laws that you cannot even own one. HRM was like that for years but changed it in 2007 I think.
Double check with the DNR since it has been maybe 5 years or so since I asked but would be suprised if they revised it..
It sucks and stupid for sure
Click to expand...

Your not allowed to shot sling shots in HRM either if my memory is correct.
 
Can't use spring guns for hunting in NS but you can in NB according to outdoorsmen there.

Best to keep any shooting to a range or private property (outside city limits), for crown land you need a hunter licence and a non-air rifle.

The laws are made so that the animals are harvested in a humane and fair manner. Each province differs in what that means and laws are slow to change even in the face of solid facts. Many small animals including rabbits have been taken with a single pellet gun shot to either the head or the heart.
 
^No, they were made to make life miserable for subsistence hunters in earlier eras (my opinion).
Evidence: the recent decision to allow crossbows for hunting in Nova Scotia.

The mossbacks just have not quite got that it is the 21st century yet. It does not take much intelligence to get your wildlife card in Nova Scotia - I passed it when I was a pimply faced 17yr old kid.

having a firearm of any make or model while out hunting is no guarantee of your competence - after you got a licence, competence is optional.

Happy Easter
 
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fat tony said:
I found some info:



I know there are those out there who know the entire list of regulations & ammendments by heart, but does the other harvestable wildlife licence apply to crown land or just someone's private property?
Click to expand...

You can only posses a shotgun(with #4 buck or lighter shot) from the end of March to the beginning of hunting season anywhere in NS other than at an approved range or in transit to or from an approved range or repair facility. So your airgun requiring a PAL would fall under the same rules, it would be a no-no from April1 to the declared hunting season other than an approved range.
 
Curly1 said:
You can only posses a shotgun(with #4 buck or lighter shot) from the end of March to the beginning of hunting season anywhere in NS other than at an approved range or in transit to or from an approved range or repair facility. So your airgun requiring a PAL would fall under the same rules, it would be a no-no from April1 to the declared hunting season other than an approved range.
Click to expand...

True but it is really a no no for any time of year since you are not allowed to hunt with one either
 
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