Hey guys, thinking about getting into hunting, however, I live Ontario. I've heard if you're south of the french river (which I am) You cant hunt with anything above .30 cal, and you cant use a rifle on deer. Is this true? Would it be worthwhile to just pick up a good shotgun rather than rifle? Id personally personally rather use a rifle, but i've been told by a few people that a shotgun would be a better option.
Thinking about getting into hunting
- Thread starter freddie27117
- Start date
Whomever told you that doesn't know what they're talking about. Shotgun only restrictions don't start until you get roughly south of the Kawartha Lakes, but you have to check the specific unit you're hunting in. Calibre restrictions apply to small game and only in a few designated municipalities. The regs are online, give them a good read.
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Take the Hunters Ed course
South of the French river is a pretty big area. HOW far South?
Nothing can replace the individual research you will need to do in order to be comfortable with the rules and have confidence if you ever need to explain to someone your applicable regs. That said, do it! Totally worth it, hunting is an amazing hobby, and don't let a little time digging into the various boring lists of rules stand in your way.
For example I just moved South of Hamilton in the last year. I found out that the majority of the hunting I will be doing in this vicinity will be with a crossbow (deer) and a 12 ga (turkey, upland, geese, ducks etc). My county is one of the ones where there is a caliber restriction of smaller than .275 for any cf hunting and there are no big game rifle seasons here anyways. Deer are either archery (3ish months a year) or shotgun/muzzleloader (1 week a year). Additionally there is no Sunday firearms discharge allowed in this county so any hunting on that day I do with a crossbow.
Find out your WMU and spend some time reading or at a Service Ontario that does outdoors card stuff or on the phone. Get all the details. Don't forget about county/municipal regulations. And then get outside and have a great time pursuing your chosen game and learning as much as you can about it.
Nothing can replace the individual research you will need to do in order to be comfortable with the rules and have confidence if you ever need to explain to someone your applicable regs. That said, do it! Totally worth it, hunting is an amazing hobby, and don't let a little time digging into the various boring lists of rules stand in your way.
For example I just moved South of Hamilton in the last year. I found out that the majority of the hunting I will be doing in this vicinity will be with a crossbow (deer) and a 12 ga (turkey, upland, geese, ducks etc). My county is one of the ones where there is a caliber restriction of smaller than .275 for any cf hunting and there are no big game rifle seasons here anyways. Deer are either archery (3ish months a year) or shotgun/muzzleloader (1 week a year). Additionally there is no Sunday firearms discharge allowed in this county so any hunting on that day I do with a crossbow.
Find out your WMU and spend some time reading or at a Service Ontario that does outdoors card stuff or on the phone. Get all the details. Don't forget about county/municipal regulations. And then get outside and have a great time pursuing your chosen game and learning as much as you can about it.
StrongandFree
CGN Regular
- Location
- Toronto, ON
I believe the hunters education course is mandatory but once you pass it it is good for life even if your individual hunting licenses expire. It is a great course to bring you up to speed on the legal requirements and hunter safety tips. Well worth the time.
