Minimum Caliber for deer

[LWC]

I have been told by a person that just took the course for his hunting license, that the new rules state that the minimum calibre for deer in Ontario is .270.
I know that the regs as late as 2012 stated larger than 22 rim fire ( page 24 ) however this section has been removed from later versions of the summary. I have also looked everywhere I can think of on the MNR web site.

I know that the minimum I would use would be .243 ( I also have 22-250 .222 but wouldn't use either for deer ) but I also have 250-3000 Savage an excellent deer cartridge.


If the regulations have in fact changed , when did this happen and how would anyone know about it if they didn't have access to a current copy of the hunter training material ?

[Exo200]

I doubt you will see anything if change's are made until the new reg's , usually mid april come out. No sense now as most season's are closed short of small game and coyote? I read what pertain's to my hunting adventure's every year. I'm waiting to see if they did indeed change 2 flaw's I found in them last year, and alway's wait to see the moose group number's. Just under 3 month wait if history serve's correct?

[mark270wsm]

Anything that is a center fire is the minimum

[topher]

I have been told by a person that just took the course for his hunting license, that the new rules state that the minimum calibre for deer in Ontario is .270.
I know that the regs as late as 2012 stated larger than 22 rim fire ( page 24 ) however this section has been removed from later versions of the summary. I have also looked everywhere I can think of on the MNR web site.

I know that the minimum I would use would be .243 ( I also have 22-250 .222 but wouldn't use either for deer ) but I also have 250-3000 Savage an excellent deer cartridge.


If the regulations have in fact changed , when did this happen and how would anyone know about it if they didn't have access to a current copy of the hunter training material ?

When I took mine I found that the instructor tends to say their beliefs are the law.. My instructor kept saying "next season they will be changing it.." Always to the way that she had her thoughts/beliefs...

[twostroke]

I have a 30-06 and a 243 that I use for deer and wouldnt hesitate using the 243, but that would prob be lowest cal I would use personally.

[GoldenLakePete]

As of the 2013 Regs there is no minimum rifle calibre. As long as it is centre fire you're good to go.

The only minimum (for deer hunting) mentioned is for shotguns - nothing smaller than 20 ga when loaded with shot.

The thought that anything smaller than .270 would be banned is ludicrous! That would exclude the 6.5x55 which is one of the best deer cartridges available. Not to mention all the .25's and 6MM's.

[MikePal]

Don't some WMU's in S/W Ont have MAX calibres around .270 ?

[Woodsman]

Don't some WMU's in S/W Ont have MAX calibres around .270 ?

Yes they do but in most of these cases deer hunting is limited to shotguns, bows or muzzleloaders.

[Fox]

Don't some WMU's in S/W Ont have MAX calibres around .270 ?

The hunting regs read as, for small game you cannot use a caliber larger then .270. This would mean to me that if there was an open rifle hunt the hunting regs say you can use any center fire.
This may or may not line up with bylaws.

[MikePal]

I was thinking maybe the OP misunderstood or the Instructor got it twisted...