About to become a hunter

[blasted_saber]

Going to chip in a bit on guns at the moment, I may put some more in later on the other topics.

Every Ontario hunter should own minimum three guns

a .22LR (long rifle) rifle. This your small game, and "fun" gun. Ammo is literally pennies, so you can shoot lots, and often. It has no recoil. You can hunt all the assortment of small game (excluding waterfowl) with it. It is a great gun for just shooting. The fundamentals of shooting can be learned and refined at low expense then applied to your large calibre rifle when hunting large game.

a 12 gauge shotgun. This is the jack of all trades of the gun world. You can hunt small game, upland birds, and waterfowl using shot (pellets) or large game with a slug (you'll learn about these in the course). I would recommend you start out with a newer made gun with interchangeable chokes, and possibly one with changeable barrels (that is secondary). Changeable barrels woul refer to installing a rifled slug barrel, which increases the effective range and accuracy of a shotgun slug. This is important in southern ON (roughly a line from Ottawa to Barrie to Windsor) where you cannot hunt deer with a rifle due to legal restrictions applied by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Finally, your big game rifle. Pick one that you like best in one of these three calibres. 270 Winchester, 308 Winchester, or 3006 Springfield. These three calibres offer roughly the same performance, with ammunition of roughly the same price and availability. You cant hunt any animal in North America with these three. The differences between the three are pretty academic on ranges that most in Ontario shoot big game (less then 200 meters). The good thing about rifles is that they dont wear out or go outdated (with normal use). Used rifles can be had for substantially lower cost then new ones. if they have been looked after they will be more then good enough for you to hunt with.

If you do your research, and can cut a few corners, the three above can be had for under $1000 (total). I realize thats a great expense, but its the minimum I would recommend. You obviously dont need all at once, I would try and get your 22lr and 12g soon and leave your large cal rifle until you are planning a moose, bear, or deer hunt in northern Ontario.

[icefisherman]

Gentlemen,

One big THANK YOU to all who replied...what a wealth of info and wiliness to share, waoooo...very impressive...learned so much by reading (several times) your kind replies.
Will make sure to follow the steps as described by TurkeyRookie .
Hope it works and cuts down my waiting time...

Have a question about this paragraph below:

Once you have your H1 outdoors card you can buy a deer license. The license will come with a tag that can be used on a buck, anywhere in the province. You can also use your deer license to party hunt with someone and share tags with them (for example they may have an either-sex tag for a certain WMU). Some WMUs might even have "additional tags" available for purchase after you have your first tag, which may be for bucks, does or both. So yes you can hunt deer this year if you get it organized, of course you'll be limited to crossbow unless you get your PAL and buy your gun in time for gun season. The one thing you're too late for is deer hunting in a controlled hunt.

If I understand correctly on Monday morning I can have H1 hunting license AND also buy deer license at the same time. Both at the same place....i.e. closest MNR office?? I can use it ANYWHERE in ON but only with BOW and only for BUCK?

How will I know if any WMU has extra available is there central database to find out what WMU has some available?

And last question - what would be the latest possible date I can get my PAL and am still able to do gun deer hunt this year?

Apologize if some of my questions are naive or stupid...trying to absorb huge amount of info in super short period of time ;-)

Again greatly appreciate every single word you guys share.

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[icefisherman]

And one question about the gun....
it seems the first gun to start with will be 12 gauge shotgun...after some more reading tonight some older posts looks like most people recommend either Moosberg 500 triple combo or Remington 870 triple combo within aprox. same price range...I like the flexibility of having the extra barrels and price is within my range. I guess the 870 triple combo comes in two variations - Express and Wingmaster?

Which of the three models should I go with? And where can I get good deal on them?

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[icefisherman]

I guess one priority is getting a lock gun cabinet.
Any idea where I can find a good deal on one...used one can work too.

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[blasted_saber]

The 870 Wingmaster is a quality gun you'll be passing down to your children. The Express, not so much. Its in the fit and finish. Ive owned both. And dont worry about getting a 3.5" chamber. They dont do anything a 3" gun will do except hurt the shoulder and wallet. As for storage, a trigger lock is all thats legally required for a non-restricted firearm. That will buy you time to wait out for a good deal on a cabinet. Usually Canadian Tire puts them on sale several times a year for 30-50% off.

If Remington offers a two barrel combo with a rifled barrel and a 28" field barrel thats what I'd go with. A short "turkey" barrel is a luxury and not a requirement at all. You can save a few bucks there.

[Snowwalker]

And one question about the gun....
it seems the first gun to start with will be 12 gauge shotgun...after some more reading tonight some older posts looks like most people recommend either Moosberg 500 triple combo or Remington 870 triple combo within aprox. same price range...I like the flexibility of having the extra barrels and price is within my range. I guess the 870 triple combo comes in two variations - Express and Wingmaster?

Which of the three models should I go with? And where can I get good deal on them?
Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

Ok I don't know how Mecanically skilled you are, but the Mossberg can be a little more work to remove the barrel, action( trigger assemble has to be removed) and clean then the 870.

The 870 barrel is removed by unscrewing the Magazine cap. The magazine spring is held in place by a plastic cap.
The 500 barrel is removed by unscrewing a retaining screw and unscrewing the Magazine cap. The magazine spring is NOT held in place and caution must be used as the spring is under some pressure.

The 870 action is removed by depressing two clips( one per side of the receiver) with you finger. action slides out the front of the receiver.

The 500 action is removed by first removing the trigger assemble( hammer and a punch is needed) and then the action is removed.

In short BOTH should be disassembled and clean before use. The factory uses a heavier oil to protect the parts till the gun is sold then we would when cleaning and oiling the gun after use.

I can disassemble, clean and reassemble a 870 with fingers and a few cloths.

I need some tools to do the same with a 500.

This is because I can remove the action of the 870 WITHOUT removing the trigger assemble.
I have not been able to find a way to remove the action out of a Mossberg without removing the trigger assemble.

As for express and Wingmaster. They are both the same gun have all the same parts that are interchangable.
Express is standard model, and the wingmaster is the XL model.

Like buying a car..870 with AM/FM radio and CD player, or 870 with AM/FM radio, CD player, surround sound and Aux input jack.

Hope this helps.

[icefisherman]

I assume this is the right form for me to fill and mail on Monday for my PAL?

http://www.fseso.org/images/stories/...fc_921_eng.pdf

It seems it can even be filled electronically on the computer to be more legible than hand writing. Tried downloading it from the RCMP site but for some reason it doesn't work from there...just like to confirm it is the right form since it is on another site. Plan is to have it all filled in signed by friend/neighbor, photos, etc. today so it is ready to be mailed on Monday.

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[HuntCamp'r]

If I understand correctly on Monday morning I can have H1 hunting license AND also buy deer license at the same time. Both at the same place....i.e. closest MNR office?? I can use it ANYWHERE in ON but only with BOW and only for BUCK?
Yes this is correct

How will I know if any WMU has extra available is there central database to find out what WMU has some available?
This Link has the original list of WMUs and quantities available. I don't think they publish an updated list of remaining quanitities anymore, but when you are at the MNR, they will be able to tell you what's left for the areas you're interested in.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodcons...rod_097695.pdf

Ice Fisherman

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodcons...rod_097695.pdf

[icefisherman]

Thank you HunCamp'r...looked quickly at the link you gave me and it says on page 1, :

Additional deer seals for the controlled hunts (see the Additional Seals Available for Controlled Deer Hunt Only table) will be sold
only at participating ServiceOntario centres starting on October
15, 2013

Should I understand that it is still possible to get an additional tag for deer hunt by gun (after Oct. 15 and in certain areas only), not just with a bow?

Only asking because tweedwolfscream said in a previous post the following:

The one thing you're too late for is deer hunting in a controlled hunt.

So I am a bit confused here as it seems getting additional deer tag after Oct. 15 maybe still available for me...assuming I can receive my PAL on time, or if not hunt with someone who is licensed PAL hunter....
Would appreciate clarification.

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[TurkeyRookie]

As mentioned, if you want to save some cash, skip the turkey barrel, and just get a good Turkey Choke, I run the 870 with the long barrel for ducks, geese, grouse, rabbits, pheseants, and Turkeys, I just change my chokes and shot.