Question about Regs - Hunting from a Boat on the Rideau * Near Kemptville

Hi All,

I have a question about the rules for hunting from a boat. I have a 16' Lund w. a frame blind covered with a cover I bought. I plan on going out on the Rideau River this weekend. The boat is in a marina near Kemptville. I have mostly hunted swamps and designated hunting 'spots' near the Long Sault Parkway before on the St. Lawrence.

Can anyone tell me the rules for how far away you must be from a dwelling. There are some decent spots where I can be at least 300+ yards from any house in all directions. I plan on putting the boat in close to shore and anchoring. Is there any particular rules for doing this? i.e. you have to be so far away from shore etc.? I can't see that being a rule because people have stilt blinds on shore all around the area where I am going.

Just want to avoid getting any hassle from anyone.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

Please let me know if you find a response lol. I have been looking for the same information as I live near the Rideau and would make duck hunting a more frequent event if I didn't have to drive an hour or more to get to a spot!

As for distance from a dwelling you are right... 300m or 100yrds. I would check with the kemptville municipal office for regs on distance from shore.

I would call the MNRF and ask them.

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Originally Posted by crosshair

As for distance from a dwelling you are right... 300m or 100yrds.

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300m is a lot more than 100yds.......

S.

Ok... so, you guys might like this one.

I called MNR Kemptville office using the office number listed on their webpage. No one answers (computer) with no options to talk to the actual guys over there who presumably would be the best source to go to for local hunting info (20 feet from my house) - Yes, I guess I could have just walked over.

Anyways, the computer bounces me to Peterborough. Peterborough says, we don't deal in that, check with the township.

I call North Grenville, they say, you need to talk to a by-law officer.

I get that number and call it.

The by-law officer says, we don't have any firearms by-laws, check with the MNR.....

He also says, South side of Rideau River is us, so use our rules for that (even though they don't have any), North side is City of Ottawa, so call them.

I'm not really sure how to solve this problem, but I am fairly convinced the solution must be more government.

Anyways, long and the short of it (as I can determine) is I use the 300 m. rule for the south side - god knows about the North side. City of Ottawa has the by-law listed which says: "

In the areas that are not shaded on any of the maps attached as Schedules "A" to "P" inclusive or that are not navigable water as described in subsection 3(1), no person shall discharge a firearm,

1. on, over or across any highway or portion thereof;
2. on, over or across any public land within the City of Ottawa including parks, conservation areas, forestry lands formerly managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and described in By-law No. 2001-439 of the City of Ottawa, school property, recreational areas, but not including,
   
   1. an unopened road allowance, and
   2. the forestry lands formerly managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources described in By-law No. 2001-439 and known as:
      
      1. Carp Hills Forest;
      2. Corkery Woodlands;
      3. Marlborough Forest; and
      4. Pinery-Long Swamp Forest;
   
   
3. within 450 meters of any place of worship, public hall or school property;
4. on land on a registered plan of subdivision once an application for a building permit has been received by the City of Ottawa;
5. within 450 meters of land on a registered plan of subdivision once an application for a building permit has been received by the City of Ottawa; or
6. within 450 meters of either side of the Trans Canada Trail which is identified on Schedule "F".

That doesn't say anything about 'houses' or 'residential dwellings' that I can see. So who knows... I guess I will just stick to the South side and well-clear of any Mosques, Churches, Synagogues or Roman Temples.

For the fellow that was asking about the rules in this area, I have attached the map I got. There are others on the webpage if you need a different part of the Rideau. The shaded areas you can't hunt in. The non-shaded areas you can, I think, maybe.... who knows.....

Attachment 26804

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Originally Posted by Sinker

300m is a lot more than 100yds.......

S.

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You are right I'm sorry I was thinking feet when I read it. Thanks for the correction

Only thing that would cover it is a municipal discharge bylaw.

You have to deal with the local animal lovers as well. I duck hunted on the Rideau in a boat years ago. We were on the back side of James island. There were a few houses more than 400 meters away. The hunting was good until a lady came out of the house and start yelling at us to stop shooting at her ducks. I didn't know she owns the wild ducks that were migrating through.

If it was easy to figure out, you can bet there'd be more people there.

Living in the area and know several CO'S I have asked the same question and was told from the CO that there is no actual distance rule. Common sense must prevail, don't ruin it for everyone else. The river is densely populated, if you think you would be annoyed if you lived there, then move on.

Send me a PM and I can share a bit more info with you.

am I missing something here? You can not hunt from a boat in Ontario, that's right there in our regs for sure. Canoe/kayak only. even driving a boat gun must be unloaded and fully covered. Maybe I missed a detail in the OP but it sounded like he was trying to hunt from the boat itself.

You can hunt from a boat if it is anchored.

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Originally Posted by Tom Riddolls

am I missing something here? You can not hunt from a boat in Ontario, that's right there in our regs for sure. Canoe/kayak only. even driving a boat gun must be unloaded and fully covered. Maybe I missed a detail in the OP but it sounded like he was trying to hunt from the boat itself.

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Originally Posted by Tom Riddolls

am I missing something here? You can not hunt from a boat in Ontario, that's right there in our regs for sure. Canoe/kayak only. even driving a boat gun must be unloaded and fully covered. Maybe I missed a detail in the OP but it sounded like he was trying to hunt from the boat itself.

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Take a read of the migratory birds conservation act.

The Fish and Wildlife conservation Act is a different animal altogether, and you are confusing the two.

It is legal to hunt migratory birds from a boat, as long as there is no forward motion. You don't have to be anchored.

S.

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Originally Posted by Sinker

Take a read of the migratory birds conservation act.

The Fish and Wildlife conservation Act is a different animal altogether, and you are confusing the two.

It is legal to hunt migratory birds from a boat, as long as there is no forward motion. You don't have to be anchored.

S.

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Third time's a charm. Glad someone on here knows the rules!

All to often, folks are taking the Ontario Hunting Regulations as the end all be all. You need to understand and take into consideration, there is a whole separate set of rules when it comes to the migratory birds conservation act, as Sinker, and DR have pointed out. What is illegal for one group of animals, is completely legal for another.

I, along with many others, quite enjoy helping people, but I've come to learn, at the advice of others, you really need to take the information provided, and research it for yourself, to ensure you understand the laws and regulations around what you are doing for yourself.

"The boys on OOD explained it this way and said it was okay" isn't going to help in court.

From Environment Canada, on waterfowl.

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Question: While hunting from a boat, may I start shooting at waterfowl as soon as the engine has been turned off?
Answer: No. Hunting may only commence once the motor has been turned off and the boat (any boat, canoe or yacht equipped with a motor) has stopped its forward progress.

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And from the hunting regulations, which also references the waterfowl act.

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It is illegal to have a loaded firearm in or on, or discharge a firearm from, an aircraft, vehicle (including snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle) or motorboat
or anything towed by the boat. An exception to this rule is that a person may obtain an authorization through the local ministry office if the person’s mobility is impaired and the person meets one of the following criteria:

1. A paraplegic or hemiplegic.
2. A single (above the knee) lower limb amputation or a double (below the waist) amputation.
3. Suffers severe disability and cannot hunt without the use of a wheelchair or similar means of locomotion. In this case, the hunter must provide a medical certificate stating disability.

The authorization is valid for a period of up to five years for a person with a permanent disability.

A loaded firearm may be carried in, and discharged from, a canoe or boat that is being paddled, with no motor attached.

MOTORBOATS:
Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, a motorboat means a boat with a motor that is attached to the boat (see Definitions on page 86). There is an exception to the prohibition on loaded firearms in a motorboat if you are hunting waterfowl in accordance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

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On a side note, it's bad enough hearing about all the ducks you guys are killing (but keep it coming), but now I also long for the sovereign waters that are crown land. In my new home jurisdiction, landowners own the riverbed adjacent to their land. While this is true in some parts of ON, it's not the general rule. There's also a rule that if hunting from a boat blind (they distinguish that a blind is when you attempt to conceal, so not just an open boat), you have to anchor. Combine the two and if you want to hunt over decoys on those rivers, you are trespassing. So, jump shooting it is...

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Originally Posted by Tom Riddolls

am I missing something here? You can not hunt from a boat in Ontario, that's right there in our regs for sure. Canoe/kayak only. even driving a boat gun must be unloaded and fully covered. Maybe I missed a detail in the OP but it sounded like he was trying to hunt from the boat itself.

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Wrong, you certainly can hunt from a boat.

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

You can hunt from a boat if it is anchored.

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Wrong, boat does not need to be anchored.

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Originally Posted by Dead Ringer

Third time's a charm. Glad someone on here knows the rules!

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It surprises me at how many that not only don't know the rules, but provide incorrect info....

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It surprises me at how many that not only don't know the rules, but provide incorrect info....

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Amen to that brother!!

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Originally Posted by brent

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Originally Posted by Dead Ringer

Third time's a charm. Glad someone on here knows the rules!

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It surprises me at how many that not only don't know the rules, but provide incorrect info....

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It surprises me how many people come here for advice and to ask questions (because their interpretation of the regs may differ from others) only to get beat down by people like you.

I would only imagine from your response of "wrong"... Instead of participating in offering up info (which is what people are looking to this forum for in this case) that you knew everything without a doubt the first day you started to hunt?

I get that people offer up the incorrect information, and yes that can potentially caise a problem for someone, but in reading the posts on this thread it seems clear to me that the information given is due to "their" own interpretation of the regs. Be it correct or not, you have given nothing to this thread or the OP's question aside from your arrogance and negativity.

TR took a moment to explain how the responses weren't totally correct and backed it up with information and reasoning as to why. It's not that hard of a thing to do. It's what keeps newer members like myself coming back.

I'm a big boy and can handle being told I'm wrong about something, but if you're going to flat out tell me so, then please enlighten me as to why. Don't stir the pot for no reason.

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Originally Posted by crosshair

It surprises me how many people come here for advice and to ask questions (because their interpretation of the regs may differ from others) only to get beat down by people like you.

I would only imagine from your response of "wrong"... Instead of participating in offering up info (which is what people are looking to this forum for in this case) that you knew everything without a doubt the first day you started to hunt?

I get that people offer up the incorrect information, and yes that can potentially caise a problem for someone, but in reading the posts on this thread it seems clear to me that the information given is due to "their" own interpretation of the regs. Be it correct or not, you have given nothing to this thread or the OP's question aside from your arrogance and negativity.

TR took a moment to explain how the responses weren't totally correct and backed it up with information and reasoning as to why. It's not that hard of a thing to do. It's what keeps newer members like myself coming back.

I'm a big boy and can handle being told I'm wrong about something, but if you're going to flat out tell me so, then please enlighten me as to why. Don't stir the pot for no reason.

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I went back and edited my responses. Hopefully that enlightens you.

PS.....I didn't beat down anyone for asking a question. I responded to people making a statement who were wrong.

The problem with what occurs is that some people will take the answers as the gospel truth and that won't fly if they get caught doing something wrong in the field. I think the way people word their answers could be better ...like saying "my interpretation".. etc that way they are not trying to indicate that it is necessarily the way it is but the way they see it. The best way might be to copy the sections of the acts that pertain to a question and let people interpret it for themselves. (this still can be problem - the interpretation thing).

I don't pretend to be an expert that's why I try to search for the law. It is available at e-laws on the internet and they are listed alphabetically for the Provincial ones and all the regulations are there as well. Takes a bit of reading but it's there.

There are some posters who make the info sound iron clad that may not be correct and some newcomers could get in trouble if they followed that legal advice.

I might also add that there are probably posters on here that do provide the correct information who are C.O.'s or other LEO's , maybe even lawyers. Problem is they are afraid to identify themselves for fear of getting beat up by some others over some issues or interpretations.

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Originally Posted by redd foxx

The problem with what occurs is that some people will take the answers as the gospel truth and that won't fly if they get caught doing something wrong in the field. I think the way people word their answers could be better ...like saying "my interpretation".. etc that way they are not trying to indicate that it is necessarily the way it is but the way they see it. The best way might be to copy the sections of the acts that pertain to a question and let people interpret it for themselves. (this still can be problem - the interpretation thing).

I don't pretend to be an expert that's why I try to search for the law. It is available at e-laws on the internet and they are listed alphabetically for the Provincial ones and all the regulations are there as well. Takes a bit of reading but it's there.

There are some posters who make the info sound iron clad that may not be correct and some newcomers could get in trouble if they followed that legal advice.

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Agreed...."because your buddy or uncle told you", is really not good research when it comes to knowing the rules and regulations.

For the most part, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the Migratory Bird Act, are pretty straight forward and easy to find and read.

The biggest problem is people confusing the FWCA with the MBCA.

If its not waterfowl, FWCA. Waterfowl have a separate set of federal rules that are all found and easy to read in the MBCA.

S.

Opinions are fine when someone asks about what the best shot shell is. But when speaking about rules and laws, one should at least preface their opinion with "I think" if they are unsure. Redd did that and I apologize if it seemed like I was giving him a hard time, but the next reply was so absolute sounding that one might mistake it for correct.

Hey Guys, - Since I started this free-for-all I thought I'd better just chirp up and let everyone know how it went.

Got out there last night about 4pm and put out about 30 dekes. 5 geese, 15 Mallards and a couple strings of divers. Hadn't even got the cover on the blind frame when 2 came in all cupped up about 5 yards over the decoys. Hadn't even reloaded after picking those up when 10 more came in and landed. I just left them sit - figured I was in for a hell of a night and didn't want to limit out 10 mins into the hunt. They eventually took off and I didn't see another bird within 1000 yards for the rest of the night. ha. Always the way.
No divers yet either - must be too early still.

There seemed to have been some discussion about types of hunting - i.e. from a boat, from a boat blind, from a boat beached on shore etc. etc. I have attached a couple pictures from last night including the rig I built for my fishing boat. Bought a nice camo mesh from a guy in Richmond last week to cover it up - he said it was from a Sherman Tank - ha!

Thanks again for all the advice lads.

Attachment 26810

Hey Dead R....no need to apologise. No offence taken.

Redd