About to become a hunter

[blasted_saber]

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



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:



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

Not trying to discourage you about the PAL, but its very optimistic to think you'll be getting it before Christmas. This is usually a 2-3 month process. I would hold off on buying a deer tag (unless you will be bow hunting). You can buy a deer tag up until the last day of the season.

That said, I applaud you for taking the course and showing interest. Hunting is a passion unrivaled by any other, and unless you do it, impossible to accurately describe.

[HuntCamp'r]

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? People who have applied for the Controlled Hunt Draw and were successful have the opportunity to purchase additional seals to be used during the controlled "gun" hunts only. It is too late for you to apply for a Controlled Hunt Validation, so those additionals are not available to you.


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.

If you look at that Additional Seal Link I posted. There are 2 lists of additionals available.... One for Controlled Hunts available Oct15 (Which are no good to you this year. You didn't apply for controlled and can't anymore)----- and one list for open seasons. The open season ones are the ones that you could purchase now. (any that are left). Some of these open seasons are gun seasons and some are bow seasons. (SG/Bow/ML, etc is noted on the list)

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

...........................

[d10906]

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

I got mine at Canadian tire; it's not top of the line, but it does the trick. The two sizes of StackOn cabinets (8-gun and 10-gun) seem to go on sale pretty often. Right now, it looks like they have the 8-gun on for $89 http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows....jsp?locale=en

I got the 10-gun version on sale for $99 a few weeks ago.

[HuntCamp'r]

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

If you're not concerned about fireproofing, any cabinet, locker, closet, etc with a lock will do. I have a wooden one it's actually a heavy armoir thing I picked up at a used furniture place.... I built a rack for the closet section that holds about 24 guns, and the other side has shelves and drawers for "stuff". Works Awesome.

To Clarify - Although a locked cabinet is a very good idea, it is not legally required if you have a trigger lock on your gun.

[tweedwolfscream]

My comment about "controlled hunts" applies only to certain WMUs mainly in southwestern Ontario, where they limit the number of hunters who can participate in the gun season in early November and/or early December. Hunters are selected by draw (which has happened already) for access to these seasons. These draws are different from the "selective harvest" big game draws, which are about controlling the number of animals killed rather than the number of hunters in the bush. Selective harvest draws apply province-wide for antlerless deer, bull and cow moose, and elk; controlled hunt draws only apply in certain units and just for the gun season.

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 - but to clarify, it's not that the deer tag you get over the counter is only valid for bow hunting. It's valid for a buck anywhere in Ontario by any firearm allowed at the time, as long as a controlled hunt is not in effect. It's just that you won't have your PAL right away (and possibly not in time for gun season), so you'll be limited to bow hunting for now. Bow season for deer in most of southern Ontario started Oct 1 and runs till Dec 31, while gun season is one or two weeks in early November*. So if you get a crossbow you can start hunting that buck Monday morning and not give up on him till sundown on new year's eve, though if you're in a unit with a controlled hunt you'll have to take a break when that controlled hunt happens.

If you get your PAL late this fall after the deer gun hunt has come and gone, buying a shotgun will let you start going after rabbits, grouse and waterfowl right away.

*many units also have a muzzleloader season in early December, but I won't get into that for now...

[icefisherman]

With each additional reply the picture gets clearer.

If I summarize:

- I have missed the control hunt draw and because of that I do not qualify now for additional tag from the control hunt draw after Oct. 15. Clear enough. Should have started earlier.

- I can buy a tag for a buck on Monday (to be used anywhere in ON). I can use that tag right away and get my buck with a bow (a friend will loan me one) in his WMU between now and end of the year with couple weeks exception when there is control hunt period in that WMU...that is Option 1 for me. Completely realistic option and if I am lucky I may come home next week with a deer in my trunk that I shoot with a bow?;-)

- Also....on Monday I can buy ADDITIONAL (or second)tag from the "open season ones" from the MNR office for a specific WMU. This "additional tag" can be for doe or for buck, depending on the WMU zone as the chart points, right? ...I can use that tag in that zone during the dates specified in the chart for guns if I can go there with a friend of mine who already has PAL license. I can hunt with a gun he loans me and if I stay next to him even before I get my PAL? Please confirm.

- And the last option obviously is to get super lucky and get my PAL before the gun season starts (beginning of November) and then I am home free and can use that same "additional/second tag" I got from MNR office to shoot a deer with my own gun? This is the least realistic option.


Hope I got my options correctly now ;-)

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[tweedwolfscream]

As far as I know that's all correct, though I'm not that knowledgeable about the controlled hunt system since I don't hunt in controlled WMUs... but the rest is correct. If you get your PAL fast as per the last option you can fill your first tag with a gun, not just the additional. The reason to buy an additional tag would be to allow you to shoot a doe (if it's valid for antlerless), or just because you want 2 deer.

Also, if you have other people to hunt with, remember that you can pool your tags as long as you're all actively hunting within 5 km of each other and have a reliable system of communication (cell phones, walkie talkies, gun shot signals, etc). Which means even with only a buck tag you could shoot a doe if your hunting buddy still has an unused doe tag.

Also note that in addition to some WMUs having additional tags available only for one sex, some have them available only for certain seasons, for example the bows-only season, which means you can't use them at all during the rifle or muzzleloader season (even if you're using a bow). And some WMUs have no additional tags available at all.

[icefisherman]

Happy to report that just passed both exams this weekend. Will get my ON Hunting outdoors card, ON small game license and my buck tag tomorrow from the local MNR office.

One question to TurkeyRookie regarding the quote bellow. I understand I should leave questions 20(a) and 20(b) blank. What about question 20(C)???

Would like to mail the form out tomorrow.

[For Ontario residents: you can send in your application before you get your stamped CFSC firearms course results back from the Ontario CFO and get the 28 day waiting period started earlier than if you wait and attach the results to the application. Questions 20(a) and (b) each have a box to check if the exam results are enclosed, so you would just leave that blank. Probably also worthwhile to include a note that exam results will follow. The 28 day clock starts once the application is received by CFC. If you wait until you get your 'stamped' safety course report(s) back you have added that to your waiting period, and it is often about 6 weeks.]

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[TurkeyRookie]

Happy to report that just passed both exams this weekend. Will get my ON Hunting outdoors card, ON small game license and my buck tag tomorrow from the local MNR office.

One question to TurkeyRookie regarding the quote bellow. I understand I should leave questions 20(a) and 20(b) blank. What about question 20(C)???

Would like to mail the form out tomorrow.



Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

Congrats!!!

If you read the top of the form, it explains the boxes to you.

With regards to 20c.

Box 20 c)

In the provinces of Manitoba and Quebec only, many hunter

safety or similar courses taken prior to 1995 were approved as

being equal to the CFSC requirement. If this applies to you,

complete Box 20 c), including the name of the course. If you

are unsure, call 1 800 731-4000.

Chief Firearms Officers have the authority to alternatively

certify that you meet the requirements regarding the safe

handling and use of firearms and the laws relating to firearms.

To qualify for alternative certification, you must have been in

continuous possession of a firearm since January 1, 1979. If

you have proof that you were alternately certified, check YES in

Box 20 c) and provide a photocopy of it with your application

I doubt this applies to you.

As for the question, it states Manitoba and quebec as well...

So you'd say no (I'm assuming)




20. c) Have you been certified by the Chief Firearms Officer as meeting the safety training requirements or have you successfully completed a



course approved by the Attorney General of Manitoba or Quebec prior to 1995?


No Yes. If yes, specify and attach proof. Specify



Proof



attached



H

[icefisherman]

OK, Got it. Since I am in Ontario, this obviously does not apply to me, so leaving it blank as well.
Thanks,

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman