New in the 2019 hunting summary - proof of firearms accredition is required

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October 17th, 2019, 10:51 AM
werner.reiche

New in the 2019 hunting summary - proof of firearms accredition is required

NEW
Firearms Licence Requirement
The Firearms Act (Canada) sets out the requirements for firearm possession. Hunters should be aware of these requirements if hunting with a gun in Ontario.
If you are in possession of a gun for the purpose of hunting in Ontario, you are required to carry proof of your firearms accreditation under the Firearms Act (Canada) - this includes apprentice hunters (12-14 year old residents) who cannot yet obtain a firearms licence. In accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, every gun hunter must carry one of the following: a valid possession and acquisition licence, a valid minor’s licence, or a stamped copy of a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) student report as official documentation showing successful completion of the CFSC (for apprentice hunters who have not yet obtained their minor’s licence). For non-residents, this could also include a valid non-resident firearms declaration form confirmed by a Canadian customs officer, or a valid temporary firearms borrowing licence for non-residents issued under the Firearms Act (Canada).
You are required to produce this documentation to a conservation officer upon request.
October 17th, 2019, 11:47 AM
rick_iles

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

NEW
Firearms Licence Requirement
The Firearms Act (Canada) sets out the requirements for firearm possession. Hunters should be aware of these requirements if hunting with a gun in Ontario.
If you are in possession of a gun for the purpose of hunting in Ontario, you are required to carry proof of your firearms accreditation under the Firearms Act (Canada) - this includes apprentice hunters (12-14 year old residents) who cannot yet obtain a firearms licence. In accordance with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, every gun hunter must carry one of the following: a valid possession and acquisition licence, a valid minor’s licence, or a stamped copy of a Canadian Firearms Safety Course (CFSC) student report as official documentation showing successful completion of the CFSC (for apprentice hunters who have not yet obtained their minor’s licence). For non-residents, this could also include a valid non-resident firearms declaration form confirmed by a Canadian customs officer, or a valid temporary firearms borrowing licence for non-residents issued under the Firearms Act (Canada).
You are required to produce this documentation to a conservation officer upon request.

We were checked by three different COs in NW Ontario. None asked to see our Licences, but it should be carried....just in case!
Interestingly enough, they didn’t want to see the summaries, just the tags.....
October 17th, 2019, 02:23 PM
MikePal

I've was told back when the registry came out that CO's wouldn't ask to see the PAL/RPAL because that was not in their job description (work to rule) and that it was the RCMP's jurisdiction.

It looks like they have changed that, but we'll have to wait and see if the COs actually do it.
October 17th, 2019, 03:02 PM
js4fn

Question. When a CO comes up on you with some attitude demanding to see your gun because he wants to make sure your plug is in ... But your in a ML only wmu can you ask to see their Pal ?
October 17th, 2019, 03:07 PM
MikePal

Quote:

Originally Posted by js4fn

Question. When a CO comes up on you with some attitude demanding to see your gun because he wants to make sure your plug is in ... But your in a ML only wmu can you ask to see their Pal ?

LEO's don't require a PAL :)
October 17th, 2019, 03:56 PM
Bushmoose

Quote:

Originally Posted by js4fn

Question. When a CO comes up on you with some attitude demanding to see your gun because he wants to make sure your plug is in ... But your in a ML only wmu can you ask to see their Pal ?

Why would you want to? If push comes to shove, they can make it miserable for you.
October 18th, 2019, 07:44 PM
Deer Wrastler

Quote:

Originally Posted by js4fn

Question. When a CO comes up on you with some attitude demanding to see your gun because he wants to make sure your plug is in ... But your in a ML only wmu can you ask to see their Pal ?

Sure you can, then they can search your b-hole without asking permission as well...
October 19th, 2019, 06:36 PM
kickingfrog

I typically leave my wallet (with my pal) in the vehicle and just have my licence and what-not on me in the bush. In most cases I'm not more than a 5-6 km walk from it and I'm more likely to see a C.O. driving than "in the bush" but I put it in my pocket yesterday. Now my fear is I'll forget it and go to buy some shells and realize that it's at home with my gear.
October 19th, 2019, 10:38 PM
greatwhite

I believe any time you are in the possession of a firearm you must have your PAL on you. I always carry mine. True Co's do not appear to ask for a PAL but the Police do. I have been stop by both to verify I was legal, Co's only asked for license and Police only asked for PAL.

I don't have time to waste with either so I make sure I have everything with me at all times.
October 19th, 2019, 11:01 PM
Bushmoose

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatwhite

I believe any time you are in the possession of a firearm you must have your PAL on you. I always carry mine. True Co's do not appear to ask for a PAL but the Police do. I have been stop by both to verify I was legal, Co's only asked for license and Police only asked for PAL.

I don't have time to waste with either so I make sure I have everything with me at all times.

That's pretty well the way I see it also. Regardless of who does what or enforces whatever, if you are in posession of firearm, you have to have your PAL. Common sense really regardless whether or not it's included in the recent publication of hunting regs.
October 22nd, 2019, 07:03 AM
Bluebulldog

I was out on Sunday walking for grouse.

Two OPP on quads stopped us, had a discussion about the dog etc. Asked us to see our PALs ( but not our outdoors card or licenses).

Said to my buddy, that was a firearms act stop, not a FWCA stop.
October 23rd, 2019, 09:32 PM
mark_t1012001

Stopped by a CO last week. Only checked my hunting lic. NOT my PAL. As we had just finished hunting and my gun was already cased he asked to see that it was unloaded.
October 23rd, 2019, 09:37 PM
Bowjob

well if they ask for one of them and run it wouldn't it show them if you do have your other licences anyways? i carry everything on me i dont take chances with those guys. only takes 1 guy having a bad day to end your hunting career.
October 24th, 2019, 11:17 AM
thunderbolt

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatwhite

I believe any time you are in the possession of a firearm you must have your PAL on you. I always carry mine. True Co's do not appear to ask for a PAL but the Police do. I have been stop by both to verify I was legal, Co's only asked for license and Police only asked for PAL.

I don't have time to waste with either so I make sure I have everything with me at all times.

Exactly, this isn't new. If you are carrying a firearm for hunting you need both your PAL and hunting license with you...
October 24th, 2019, 01:07 PM
werner.reiche

We got stopped twice hunting in 55B last weekend. It's been over 20 years since I talked to a CO - so stops on back-to-back days seemed weird. They only wanted to see summaries and the calf tag. Never asked about the PAL. They also stopped beside my truck and spent about 10 minutes looking at it on Monday.
October 24th, 2019, 01:14 PM
werner.reiche

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderbolt

Exactly, this isn't new. If you are carrying a firearm for hunting you need both your PAL and hunting license with you...

Until this season, there was no legal requirement to carry the PAL.
There was a while when the firearms registry was around that the OPP wanted both your PAL and your firearms registration if they stopped you, and they set up roadblocks on the main highways (17 west of Petawawa, 148 west of Pembroke) to hassle hunters. That seems to have stopped now.
October 24th, 2019, 01:21 PM
Fox

Quote:

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Until this season, there was no legal requirement to carry the PAL.

Not through the hunting regulations but there sure as heck was through the Firearms Act.
October 24th, 2019, 01:41 PM
rick_iles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Not through the hunting regulations but there sure as heck was through the Firearms Act.

No there is no provision in the Firearms Act, regulating possession of your licence while in possession of a firearm. Having said that, if you are stopped by the police and asked for your licence, failure to produce it MAY result in your firearm being seized until you attend the police station and produce it. A quick CPIC check confirms your licence status, so seizure likely won’t happen.
In other words, there is no offence of, “Fail to surrender a firearms licence”.
The new amendments to the FWCA though, make it mandatory to produce your licence when hunting with a firearm (as defined by the CC, not the FWCA)
Whether COs choose to inspect your licence is up to them.....
October 24th, 2019, 01:56 PM
Fox

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick_iles

No there is no provision in the Firearms Act, regulating possession of your licence while in possession of a firearm. Having said that, if you are stopped by the police and asked for your licence, failure to produce it MAY result in your firearm being seized until you attend the police station and produce it. A quick CPIC check confirms your licence status, so seizure likely won’t happen.
In other words, there is no offence of, “Fail to surrender a firearms licence”.
The new amendments to the FWCA though, make it mandatory to produce your licence when hunting with a firearm (as defined by the CC, not the FWCA)
Whether COs choose to inspect your licence is up to them.....

I was told from the very beginning that you had to be in possession of your license when you are in possession of your guns. I have an RPAL, there is a conditions sheet that has to accompany the license and you are to be able to present it to a LEO if requested, so that to me says that I need to have it on me.
October 24th, 2019, 02:06 PM
rick_iles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

I was told from the very beginning that you had to be in possession of your license when you are in possession of your guns. I have an RPAL, there is a conditions sheet that has to accompany the license and you are to be able to present it to a LEO if requested, so that to me says that I need to have it on me.

As I said, there is no offence of not producing your licence. You MAY run the risk of seizure until you do produce it. Common sense would dictate you to carry your PAL when you are in possession of a restricted firearm, as well as any permits...
October 24th, 2019, 07:17 PM
redd foxx

Quote:

25.2 (1) No person shall hunt with a gun unless the person meets at least one of the following requirements:
1. The person holds a valid possession and acquisition licence issued under the Firearms Act (Canada).
2. The person holds a valid minor’s licence issued under the Firearms Act (Canada).
3. The person has proof that he or she has successfully completed the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, and tests that form part of that course, under the Firearms Act (Canada).
4. In the case of an individual who is a non-resident and who ordinarily resides outside of Canada,
i. a valid non-resident firearms declaration form confirmed by a Canadian customs officer, or
ii. a valid temporary firearms borrowing licence for non-residents issued under the Firearms Act (Canada). O. Reg. 544/17, s. 4.
(2) A person shall carry on his or her person the documentation required under subsection (1) while hunting with a gun and while in possession of the gun for the purposes of hunting, and shall produce the documentation to a conservation officer at the officer’s request. O. Reg. 544/17, s. 4; O. Reg. 461/18, s. 10.

It would appear that there is now. Above is the section from the FWCA that applies to having, carrying and producing the PAL or similar proof of being able to possess a firearm while hunting.