Small game during controlled hunt

[mpsmyth6]

So I've filled my deer tag this week and was trying to confirm if I'm interpreting the regs properly for hunting small game during the controlled deer hunt. Doesn't seem to be a restriction south of the mattawa/French river but just making sure. If I head out with my .223 for coyote I'll still be okay even though it's shotgun season for deer? I am in wmu 80. I do have the controlled hunt licence but tag is full. Would leave the .270 at home so it looks a bit better in hunting for coyote. Just looking for the confirmation of my interpretation of the regs.

Thanks.

[skypilot]

From top of page 60 of the 2014 Ontario hunting regs:

Firearms
Big game, including deer, may only be hunted with a
firearm (this includes bows). When hunting deer, you may
use or carry a firearm of the type permitted for hunting deer
at that time in that Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). For
example, when hunting deer during a bows-only season, you
may use or carry only bow hunting equipment; you may not
carry a rifle or shotgun for hunting other species.

[dutchhunter]

I donot think you can carry you center fire well the controlled hunt is on .you can us your 22 rimfire or shotgun with small shot .I have not got the regs in front of me but I am sure someone will chime in Dutch

[Snowwalker]

Restriction does not appy in Southern ontario in cases where there is NOT a rifle season.

[rick_iles]

Check Sec. 77, Ont. Regulation 665/98.
Restriction does not apply in the south where there is an open season for bows only. So, to answer the OP's question, you can't hunt small game with a .223 during a controlled hunt. Once the Controlled hunt is over, you can use your .223 to hunt small game.
When in doubt, call the MNRF....
77(1) (a) - O.Reg 665/98

Unlawfully possess rifle with muzzle energy greater than 400 foot-pounds

Set Fine: $300.00

Total Payable: $365.00

A person hunting small game, when in an area during an open season in the area for a species of big game, shall not possess or use,

(a) a rifle of greater muzzle energy than 400 foot-pounds;

[mpsmyth6]

Thanks so much! Appreciate the assistance in interpreting the regs.

[dog12008]

I emailed a CO last year about hunting in the same bush as my friends while theu were deer hunting and me small game hunting he said it was legal and i could only use my .22 rifle during the shotgun season for deer. And also must wear orange .

[terrierman41]

Call the MNR and find out exactly what's allowed.

[dutchhunter]

Restriction does not appy in Southern ontario in cases where there is NOT a rifle season.

he is talking about are controlled hunt with shotguns Dutch

[Fox]

"If you are hunting small game in an area where there is an open season for deer, moose, elk, or black bear, you may not possess or use a rifle of greater muzzle energy than 400 foot-pounds or shells loaded with ball or with shot larger than no. 2 shot (non-toxic equivalents include steel shot larger than triple BBB, or bismuth larger than double BB), unless you possess a valid licence to hunt deer, moose, elk or black bear as the case may be. This restriction does not apply south of the French and Mattawa Rivers during an open season for deer that is restricted to the use of bows."

This quote is from the regulations summary, so since you possess a deer hunting license then you can use a .223 to hunt small game, that is what is says to me, but you must wear hunter orange as there is an open gun season for moose, deer or elk in the area.