Minor's License to PAL

[M_P]

My son has his A1. Will turn 15 this summer. What happens / what do we need to do then WRT minors permit and his H1 card. Is he still required to be under direct supervision of a mentor or can we set him up on his own stand?

[Fox]

My son has his A1. Will turn 15 this summer. What happens / what do we need to do then WRT minors permit and his H1 card. Is he still required to be under direct supervision of a mentor or can we set him up on his own stand?

Read the requirements of the minors permit, he can have his own gun but has to be under the control of someone with a fully licensed PAL. There is grey in this wording, unless they changed it since I had mine.

Once he upgrades his hunting license he can hunt with a pellet gun under 500fps, flint lock or a bow of any kind without his PAL as they are not considered firearms under the PAL umbrella. You can also get an antique and use that without a PAL but that is a weird one that has been attacked on here before but is doable without a PAL.

[M_P]

Read the requirements of the minors permit, he can have his own gun but has to be under the control of someone with a fully licensed PAL. There is grey in this wording, unless they changed it since I had mine.

Once he upgrades his hunting license he can hunt with a pellet gun under 500fps, flint lock or a bow of any kind without his PAL as they are not considered firearms under the PAL umbrella. You can also get an antique and use that without a PAL but that is a weird one that has been attacked on here before but is doable without a PAL.

Minor’s Licence

A minor’s licence permits the borrowing of non-restricted firearms (ordinary rifles and shotguns) for the following activities:

• target practice
• organized shooting competitions
• hunting
• being instructed in the use of firearms

A minor's licence also permits the acquisition of ammunition, unless there is an age restriction under provincial or territorial law.
As a general rule, the following requirements must be met:

• The applicant must be at least 12 years old. If they are younger than 12, they may obtain a minor's licence only if they are Canadian residents and their Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) determines they need to hunt or trap to sustain themselves or their family.
• As per section 7 of the Firearms Act, individuals under 18 must complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and pass the test in order to get a licence. They are not eligible to challenge and attempt to pass the test without taking the course.
• Individuals younger than 18 years of age are not eligible to hold a licence authorizing them to possess prohibited or restricted firearms.

A licence application (form RCMP 5485) can be obtained by contacting the relevant CFO. Non-residents can contact the CFO of the province or territory where they will most likely use the firearm.
A Firearms Officer may interview the applicant or their parent or guardian, who must first agree and consent to the conditions under which the minor may use firearms, before a minor's licence will be issued.
Conditions may be placed on the licence. For example, some supervision may be required when the minor uses a firearm.
The minor's licence will expire on the holder’s 18th birthday or the expiry date shown on their licence, whichever comes first.

This is what the RCMP website has to say about the minor's license. Spent the better part of last night looking and can't find a definitive answer.

[Fox]

This is what the RCMP website has to say about the minor's license. Spent the better part of last night looking and can't find a definitive answer.

I think they leave it grey for a reason, I had never found anything definitive.

[KLM]

My son turns 18 this July as well, when you submitted the form did you have to send another copy of his completion of taking the course?

While calling the CFC to have my son's "adult accompaniment" cond'n removed last fall, I asked the person about applying for his PAL(he turns 18 in July '15). She told me to send in the application 3-4months early. Like other posters have said, there is some stuff they can do before the 18th birthday that will speed things up. Final approval can only be done upon reaching applicants 18th birthday.

[30cal4me]

My son turns 18 this July as well, when you submitted the form did you have to send another copy of his completion of taking the course?

We did send a copy of him completing the course. He actually only had 1 copy left. I believe it said something on the bottom of it regarding where all the copies were to be used.

When you answer the form it asks you to click a box it you are attaching a copy of "proof of completion". I guess there are some that have misplaced them and can't send them. Either way the RCMP should have record of it thru the instructor.

[rickashea]

Can my grandson continue to hunt with me while he is waiting for his PAL to come if he turns 18 before it gets here .

[Gun Nut]

Just remember that this is not a renewal.
Even though you have a minors permit this is not proof that you took the courses and therefore you need to supply a copy of your course information with your application for your new PAL.

They are slow but not that slow, submitted in Feb you should have it in a month unless you are going for restricted, that may take longer.

If you have a Minor's Licence, you have already submit a RCMP 5592 proof you have successful passed the Firearm Course, this they have on file so it is not necessary the submit your second copy of the form when you apply for your PAL, There is an entry on the PAL application form to acknowledge this situation. They use to serve you with a notice, and may still do, that your PAL is up for renewal. However if you are in possession of a Minor's Licence, they do not extend the courtesy of sending out any expiry reminder notice. As your birthday approaches it is up to you to take the initiative of applying for your PAL. Make sure reference are on board, for they will definitely be calling them to attest to your character.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut