Small game during controlled hunt

[rick_iles]

He never said deer hunting, he also never said he would be alone.

Lol....that doesn't make a difference, but I bow to your superior knowledge and experience !!!!

[skypilot]

665/98 Once again........

77. (1) A holder of a small game licence, 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 calibre or projectile power than a .22-calibre rim-fire rifle chambered for cartridges known as a .22 short, .22 long or .22 long rifle; or
(b) shells loaded with ball or shot larger than number two shot. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 77 (1).
(2) Despite clause (1) (b), a holder of a small game licence, when in an area during an open season in the area for a species of big game, may possess and use,
(a) in the case of shot made of steel, shot that is not larger than triple BBB steel shot; or
(b) in the case of shot made of bismuth, shot that is not larger than double BB bismuth shot. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 77 (2).
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a holder of a small game licence hunting in that part of Ontario lying south of the French and Mattawa rivers during an open season for deer that is restricted to the use of bows. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 77 (3).

[Fox]

665/98 Once again........

77. (1) A holder of a small game licence, 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 calibre or projectile power than a .22-calibre rim-fire rifle chambered for cartridges known as a .22 short, .22 long or .22 long rifle; or
(b) shells loaded with ball or shot larger than number two shot. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 77 (1).
(2) Despite clause (1) (b), a holder of a small game licence, when in an area during an open season in the area for a species of big game, may possess and use,
(a) in the case of shot made of steel, shot that is not larger than triple BBB steel shot; or
(b) in the case of shot made of bismuth, shot that is not larger than double BB bismuth shot. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 77 (2).
(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a holder of a small game licence hunting in that part of Ontario lying south of the French and Mattawa rivers during an open season for deer that is restricted to the use of bows. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 77 (3).

If this were the case in WMU 63 it would be illegal to use a rifle of greater power than a 22LR or shotgun loaded with steel shot larger than BBB or lead shot larger than #2 shot at any point for hunting small game from Sept 1st through Nov 30th, as there is an open season for bear in this area. No more shooting grouse with a high power, no more grabbing a rabbit on the way home, no more shooting a coyote or wolf and no more using T or F steel for goose.

The key point here is what is considered a "valid license to hunt deer, elk, bear or moose", as if you have a license to hunt these then you can use a non-restricted firearm to hunt small game without restriction as the case may be.

A game seal is not a license, a controlled hunt validation is not a license, we all agreed on this weeks ago, there were pictures on this site because people were always calling their game seal a "tag".

In some areas when you shoot a deer and seal it with your game seal your license becomes invalid at that moment, due to a lack of party hunting. This is not the case in Ontario, since we have party hunting your deer hunting license is valid as long as there is an open season that you are allowed to participate in. If you are allowed to be part of a controlled hunt, as part of the selection process you receive a validation for your license that allows you to hunt deer within the controlled hunt, no matter what type of firearms are allowed. If you now go out with your hunting party and shoot a deer, you seal the deer with your game seal, you can still hunt deer as part of a party. You cannot take any more deer than what your party has game seals for. If you then do a push for your group of guys and come across a coyote, you shoot said coyote, you have now hunted small game with a firearm that is more than 400 ft-lbs of energy, which, based on that flack that I am getting from here, would be illegal. Your license is still valid, which means what you have done, shooting that coyote, it 100% legal. Now, if you are not party hunting and you go out on a controlled hunt, you are in a shotgun only area, you have a deer come out, you shoot at the deer and it runs off. You collect your deer, apply your game seal and on the way home you see a grouse or a rabbit, you decide to shoot it for the pot that night, you would be small game hunting with a firearm over 400 ft-lbs of energy, not illegal.

So why if you can shoot small game with a shotgun that is over 400 ft-lbs during a period of time that just so happens to have a controlled hunt for deer going on would it be illegal to shoot a rabbit with a 22 Hornet while you still possess a valid deer hunting license, controlled hunt validation aside.

I understand the reason behind it, but the regulations are not written in a way that makes it illegal to hunt small game with a high powered rifle (taking bylaws out or the question) while an open season for deer, bear, elk or moose is on going if you have a hunting license for the game at which is open.

Another side to this people hunting with center fire rifles during an open season for deer, if they have a valid license to hunt bear and there is an open season for bear in that WMU then they can use slugs to hunt bunnies and they are within the letter of the law.

[dutchhunter]

again we are talking about a southern unit that has a controlled hunt with shotguns and muzzle loaders. nobody can carry a centerfire or shotgun with large shot well the controlled hunt is taking place .you may hunt small game and ducks and geese well the controlled hunt is on but you must follow the rules laid out for that time period .Dutch

[rick_iles]

Here ya go Fox.....my response directly from my contact at MNRF.....

Since there is an open gun season (the controlled deer hunt) in your area of interest, you would not be able to use a .223 for hunting coyotes as the muzzle energy of this rifle is well over 400 foot-pounds. Basically, you are restricted to the use of a .22 rimfire rifle chambered in shorts, long, long-rifle or magnum.

Once the controlled deer season is over, you may start using your .223 for coyote hunting.

[mpsmyth6]

I really appreciate everyone's input on this! Currently waiting for the controlled hunt to end and will head back out for coyote then. Thanks and happy hunting!