sunrise

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I looked (may have missed it) but it doesn't look like the FWCA defines 'hunting' in regards to licencing..looks like that falls within MNRs responsibility and the definition as quoted. .

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There is no separate definition for hunting, where Licensing is concerned, just one definition found in the Interpretation section. I’m not sure what you are looking for.
There is the exception, found in the second half of the definition.

[COLOR=#505050]Exexcept that “hunting” does not include,
[COLOR=#505050](c) trapping, or
[COLOR=#505050](d) lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of or pursuing wildlife for a purpose other than attempting to kill, injure, capture or harass it, unless the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed as a result,

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Originally Posted by MihajloSimsic

Anyone who hunts with a crossbow knows it's not nearly as easy to "unload and case" a crossbow as it is a rifle. Especially one with anti-dry fire. Personally, I have to shoot a decocking arrow from my treestand and then fumble with a bag that catches onto EVERYTHING in the dark and never wants to go on right. If I can do that I think that you can work your action a few times to unload then slip a sock on. Might take you a minute or two. Not to say that there weren't times I might've unintentionally had it cocked or not bagged because I can't put some half-time buzzer over my head. Personally, if you aren't planning on shooting something before/after legal time then I do not care. I hunt archery for black bear, and I'm just going to say it'd be nice to have a loaded 12 gauge walking next to fresh bait in the dark where literal monsters roam.

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All you need to do is remove the bolt.... it is now unloaded...put it in your case and uncock it when you get home. It’s much easier to do with no heavy clothing on and in a well lit garage....

Thanks Rick,

All this while I was sitting in my deer stand observing my field in mid July for deer movement, I didn't really have to hide myself in full camo and face paint in case the MNR came by.If I had listened to MP heck I might still be doing this. LOL

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

There is no separate definition for hunting, where Licensing is concerned, just one definition found in the Interpretation section. I’m not sure what you are looking for.
There is the exception, found in the second half of the definition.

[COLOR=#505050]Exexcept that “hunting” does not include,
[COLOR=#505050](c) trapping, or
[COLOR=#505050](d) lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of or pursuing wildlife for a purpose other than attempting to kill, injure, capture or harass it, unless the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed as a result,

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So it's illegal if you are sitting there with a gun (instead of say a camera).....obviously with the intent to kill.

Thanks Rick...now we know, by definition, you can't go into the woods until 30 minutes before sunrise with your hunting gear because it may result in it getting shoot HaHa...

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Originally Posted by MikePal

So it is illegal if you are sitting there with a gun (instead of say a camera).....obviously with the intent to kill. .."unless the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed as a result,"

ie: it's illegal to lie in wait, watching a deer, waiting till 30 minute before sunrise , then un-case your gun resulting in you shotting it.

Thanks Rick...now we know, by definition, you can't go into the woods until 30 minutes before sunrise with your hunting gear. HaHa...

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Ah.....no! Not correct...

Ive emailed the MNR and precisely asked if sitting in your tree stand with a cased weapon before legal shooting hours is legal. Well see what the authorities say. Anyone want to place bets?

I cant see in any world where this constitutes an illegal act otherwise every single person coming out of the woods after legal shooting is breaking the law. Anyone dragging a deer out in the dark after they shot it could get a ticket for "hunting" even if their weapon is encased?

What about blood trailing a deer, "in pursuit of" comes to mind, you really think its illegal to track a deer after shooting hours?Not a chance any of this is illegal or people would get tickets for it regularly. Something tells me some are sitting back enjoying stirring the pot and watching people takes sides, maybe even the reason this thread was created in the first place?

Ive had the MNR sit and wait for me to come out long after shooting hours were up and they didnt say squat about why I came out of the woods after legal shooting time because they use common sense and obviously know the law. Carrying a deer and an encased gun they had nothing to say they just stopped to check us. Pretty sure if we did anything illegal they would have spoke up and pulled out the ticket book?

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Originally Posted by Deer Wrastler

Ive emailed the MNR and precisely asked if sitting in your tree stand with a cased weapon before legal shooting hours is legal. Well see what the authorities say. Anyone want to place bets?

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Rick has already answered the question by providing the FWCA exception to the MNRs defintion of "Hunting"....

Your hunting licence "allows" you to do all of those thing. They're not considered unlawful night hunting infractions. Sitting in the woods with an uncased loaded firearm during the nighttime and spotlighting are what's specifically prohibited. There may be other things that are prohibited but lying in wait isn't one of them.
We wouldn't need a law to tell us we can't uncase our firearm a half hour before sunrise if we had a law that didnt allow us to be in our position until that time. LOL

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Originally Posted by onelessarrow

Your hunting licence "allows" you to do all of those thing. They're not considered unlawful night hunting infractions. Sitting in the woods with an uncased loaded firearm during the nighttime and spotlighting are what's specifically prohibited. There may be other things that are prohibited but lying in wait isn't one of them.
We wouldn't need a law to tell us we can't uncase our firearm a half hour before sunrise if we had a law that didnt allow is to be in our position until that time. LOL

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BINGO!

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Originally Posted by rick_iles

All you need to do is remove the bolt.... it is now unloaded...put it in your case and uncock it when you get home. It’s much easier to do with no heavy clothing on and in a well lit garage....

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Can't uncock an anti-dry fire crossbow with a rope. Also technically illegal to discharge a firearm/crossbow within city limits. But mostly what I care about is not shooting a 460fps crossbow in an apartment. So basically my best option is a bolt with a couple washers and a target point right into the dirt.