Where did you get that load of crap?
from others, its not so? if allowed thats great news...
how's about air rifles?
edit
since I picked the info up from friends, and it was long ago here is the info, and its old news, happy they come around, kinda figured why they were banned
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September 8, 1999
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)
Small game hunters can use .22 calibre rimfire rifle on the island
Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, said today that government has approved the use of 22-calibre rimfire rifles in the pursuit of small game effective immediately. "The island portion of the province was the only place in North America where the .22-calibre rimfire rifle was banned and during the outdoor consultation process there was representation to have the ban lifted" said Mr. Aylward.
The .22 calibre rimfire rifle was banned for hunting small game in this province in 1963 largely because of the perception at the time that poaching of big game would occur. Many of the conditions which led to the initial ban no longer apply. Poaching has been significantly reduced in most parts of the province through better protection and public education, increased fines, and improved public attitudes towards our natural resources. Wildlife officials in Labrador, where the rimfire rifle has not been banned have not encountered any poaching or safety problems that can be specifically attributed to the use of the .22 calibre rimfire rifle here.
The advantages of allowing the .22 rimfire to be used for the hunting of ptarmigan, grouse and hares include decreased big game crippling losses as a result of improved marksmanship, consistency of regulations in North America, lower ammunition costs and enhanced opportunity for small game hunters. The lifting of this ban does not apply to waterfowl (ducks and geese) as these species are under the jurisdiction of the federal government. No where in Canada is the .22 allowed for waterfowl hunting based on difficulties associated with making long retrieves over water.
Minister Aylward said: "Generally speaking, Newfoundland residents have become well-trained, safe and responsible firearm owners and users. Since 1978, over 110,000 people have met the provincial hunter training requirements (over 20 per cent of the entire population). The current training requirement consists of a comprehensive 17-hour hands-on course in firearms safety and hunter education. This course is required of all new hunters and those existing hunters who have not had previous hunter training. Firearms accident rates have been declining since implementation of hunter training prerequisites."
Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, who chaired the Committee on the Use of Outdoor Resources, said: "These actions demonstrate government's continuing response to concerns addressed during the consultation process." During the fall of 1998, the Committee on the Use of the Outdoors heard representation to have the ban on the .22 calibre rimfire lifted. Since that time government, has reviewed the issue in consultation with officials of the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods.
On July 6, Mr. Tulk released "Our Smiling Land: Government's Vision for the Protection and Use of Newfoundland and Labrador's Outdoor Resources". Copies of Our Smiling Land are available at government's web site at
www.gov.nl.ca/whatsnew/ or by writing to Mr. Tulk, c/o Committee on Use of Outdoor Resources, 2nd Floor, Confederation Building, West Block, P.O. Box 8700, St. John's, NF, A1B 4J6.
Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729 6183
1999 09 08 3:10 p.m.
