MAXIMUM rifle caliber for deer in South Western Ontario

[Dythbringer]

If you lay a map of Ontario out and compare the northern boundaries of the "shotgun only for deer" and the ".275 caliber for small game" counties and regional municipalities as listed in the Summary regulations,I think you'll find it's a lot further south than that,Dyth.

I am talking about deer hunt not the small game rule.

[trimmer21]

I am talking about deer hunt not the small game rule.

OK,but,even eliminating the small game rule,it's still quite a bit more south than Hwy#118. WMU 60 takes in Peterborough County where rifles are used for all big game as do WMU's both to the east across to Ottawa and west to Hwy#12. Generally,"shotguns only-no dogs" WMU's are south of Hwy #7 except for WMU 74A.

[JohnCaper]

Thanks everyone - sounds like the rules are the same as they used to be just worded a lot more confusing.

[Dythbringer]

OK,but,even eliminating the small game rule,it's still quite a bit more south than Hwy#118. WMU 60 takes in Peterborough County where rifles are used for all big game as do WMU's both to the east across to Ottawa and west to Hwy#12. Generally,"shotguns only-no dogs" WMU's are south of Hwy #7 except for WMU 74A.

I did say there were a few exceptions to that boundary. That 118 boundary is a safe generalization of where the rifle are allowed for deer in the deer season. Yes, there are WMU's south of that which allow rifles but a safe bet is anything north of 118 is rifles and anything south of 118 is shotgun for deer. It used to be highway 7 years ago and it has moved further north due to population.

[brent]

There is no magical boundary line like some seem to think. Provincial regulations are set by WMU or counties/townships/municipalities.

[Rimfire905]

For me I go by

Max calibre South of 89 is .275

I think closest you get to that is 7mm

Great coyote round.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

[rick_iles]

For me I go by

Max calibre South of 89 is .275

I think closest you get to that is 7mm

Great coyote round.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Depends....some municipalities have bylaws that limit rifles to .243....

[Rimfire905]

I saw that discussed on here recently. Oxford county I think.

So if that applies ad your only hunting Coyote and small game a 223 is sufficient.

I'm in Wellington county so .275 applies here.

Makes it easier, one good rifle for deer and varmints.

The 223 round is a lot cheaper if you're shooting lots. The 7mm I'm looking at is around 1.50 a round.

Can shoot .223 for half that


Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

[trimmer21]

Depends....some municipalities have bylaws that limit rifles to .243....

They must be in south western Ontario. I know we don't have any around or east of Oshawa.

[Fox]

I saw that discussed on here recently. Oxford county I think.

So if that applies ad your only hunting Coyote and small game a 223 is sufficient.

I'm in Wellington county so .275 applies here.

Makes it easier, one good rifle for deer and varmints.

The 223 round is a lot cheaper if you're shooting lots. The 7mm I'm looking at is around 1.50 a round.

Can shoot .223 for half that


Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk

Ok, 7mm is .283, not .275, 270 is actually .277 but 270 is allowed in restricted WMUs.

The WMUs do not include all of SW Ontario, read the regulations to see which ones are included in this restriction.

Another point, this restriction is for hunting small game only, I do not know if there is but if there is a deer rifle hunt in a WMU that has a .275 restriction for small game that will not stop you from using anything on deer in that WMU unless there is a municipal bylaw.

I can tell you from experience, using your deer rifle to shoot long range and snap shoot groundhogs is very useful, 6.5x55mm at 200 yards on a groundhog means I will have no problem shooting that deer at that range and that same rifle at 10ft means there is a mess.