Question - laser sights - legal?

[Marker]

Does anyone know where I can get information to determine if using a laser sight is legal. All I can find is a reference to lights not being allowed. Since lighted reticles are sold I assume they are legal but not sure where laser sights fall between these rules.

[finsfurfeathers]

wouldn't a red dot scope be considered a laser? Don't know for sure but as long as you don't point it at a plane should be good to go.

[Marker]

wouldn't a red dot scope be considered a laser? Don't know for sure but as long as you don't point it at a plane should be good to go.

Yes, in the broadest of context, I would include a red dot in the same category as a lighted reticle in that it does not project light to the target. Red dots are used quite a bit but I dont know of anyone using a laser that projects a dot on the target. I experimented a bit at my 'range' with my xbow and it works very well, it even lights up any twigs or leaves that would cause an issue for arrow flight. Although, in theory, it would allow the hunter to shoot at low light levels which could be used after hunting hours, definately not my intended purpose.

[genec]

Haven’t seen it listed in the regs for a few years, but, as I understand it, anything that projects a light beam out of the device is illegal for hunting in Ontario.
Electronic sights are legal because nothing is projected out of the sight device - just a lighted dot appears within the sight itself, so its basically the same as crosshairs in a scope.

[longpointer]

Only in Hollywood ? Same goes for exploding arrowheads/bullets and who the heck taught all those deer those martial arts moves ?

[anglodrkns]

Thank you for your email. Yes, it is legal to attach a laser to your rifle or scope. However, using a rifle with a laser attached for hunting and using the laser as described, could be considered using a light to hunt. Using a light to hunt is not illegal; it is only illegal to use a light to hunt at night (unless legally night hunting raccoon).

This is the response I got from the MNR in regards to attaching a laser sight to a rifle of mine that has an issue with the scope dropping the point of aim. My thoughts were to add a laser sight to use as a zero reference before going out hunting. Sight in, set laser for set distance then I could always quick check and adjust if needed while in the field. So if an actual laser sight is allowed I would think there should be no issues with a red dot

[Ata83]

Thank you for your email. Yes, it is legal to attach a laser to your rifle or scope. However, using a rifle with a laser attached for hunting and using the laser as described, could be considered using a light to hunt. Using a light to hunt is not illegal; it is only illegal to use a light to hunt at night (unless legally night hunting raccoon).

This is the response I got from the MNR in regards to attaching a laser sight to a rifle of mine that has an issue with the scope dropping the point of aim. My thoughts were to add a laser sight to use as a zero reference before going out hunting. Sight in, set laser for set distance then I could always quick check and adjust if needed while in the field. So if an actual laser sight is allowed I would think there should be no issues with a red dot

When sighting in my rifle, I bought a laser that fits my Rifle, chamber the "laser round" and move the scope to put cross hair on the. laser dot on target. might be a better/easier option.

[anglodrkns]

Those aren't always bang on. The point of this is I would be matching a scope that is already zeroed to the laser so if it ever went out before I start my hunt I simply have to turn on the laser and and match the reticle to the laser. I used a boresighter to sight the rifle this weekend prepping for a bear hunt and it was off by about 8" at 100 yards.

[Marker]

Thank you for your email. Yes, it is legal to attach a laser to your rifle or scope. However, using a rifle with a laser attached for hunting and using the laser as described, could be considered using a light to hunt. Using a light to hunt is not illegal; it is only illegal to use a light to hunt at night (unless legally night hunting raccoon).

This is the response I got from the MNR in regards to attaching a laser sight to a rifle of mine that has an issue with the scope dropping the point of aim. My thoughts were to add a laser sight to use as a zero reference before going out hunting. Sight in, set laser for set distance then I could always quick check and adjust if needed while in the field. So if an actual laser sight is allowed I would think there should be no issues with a red dot

Thank you for the inquiry, and post.

[trimmer21]

This is the response I got from the MNR in regards to attaching a laser sight to a rifle of mine that has an issue with the scope dropping the point of aim. My thoughts were to add a laser sight to use as a zero reference before going out hunting. Sight in, set laser for set distance then I could always quick check and adjust if needed while in the field. So if an actual laser sight is allowed I would think there should be no issues with a red dot

This is just an observation,but,if I had a scope that I didn't have confidence that it would hold zero,I'd be changing the scope before adding another laser sight.