Little Help Here

[indyhntr]

I've got a bear hunt booked for the 3rd week of Aug in Ontario and I'm getting conflicting info from the CFO, the MNR, and the outfitter. My 16 year old son is coming along and now the Ontario CFO tells me no way for him to get a youth fire-arms license in the next month and even if he did he cannot hunt by himself and he and I must share a bag limit. The MNR says we have to hunt together but each can harvest a bear. Outfitter says B.S. they don't know what they are talking about, come on up and everyone can hunt alone and harvest their own bear. Does anyone have any clue who is right? I'd hate to show up at the border and spend 8 hours fighting about this and then not have the boy be able to hunt. Any insight would be GREATLY appreacated. INDYHNTR

[blacktail]

He may not be able to get a firearms licence for sure as he is a non native that doesnt require the firearm for sustenance purposes.

Not too sure about Ontario but here in BC a junior hunter over the age of 14 is required to have his own licence and must hunt with a person over the age of 19 that holds a valid hunting licence.
Most of the province have regs that mirror each other but hopefully some of out guys gere from ontario could be of assistance.

[Darkwolf]

Two different licensing authorities here....

Firearms licences are under federal jurisdiction:

"For Individuals aged 12 to 17
A Minors’ Licence will enable young people to borrow a non-restricted rifle or shotgun for approved purposes such as hunting or target shooting. Generally, the minimum age is 12 years, but exceptions may be made for younger people who need to hunt to sustain themselves and their families. Applicants must have taken the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and passed the test. "

It's the UNDER 12 year-olds that have to be hunting for sustinance. A 16-year old non-resident CAN get a minor's license, but he has to pass the FSET safety test AND he has to wait the minimum waiting period (which is a joke since it always takes longer than the minimum to get the licence processed and in the mail....)

Info here: (Firearms Canada: Minors )

If he took the course right now and got his application out it might be processed in time for him to get a minor's license which he can use to borrow your gun to hunt with. YOU have to import the second gun as only people over the age of 18 may do so.

IF, however, he is under your immediate care and supervision, that is you or the guide sit on stand with him or still hunt beside him, then he does not need a Firearms license. Alternatly, if he bowhunts or uses a -FLINTLOCK- muzzleloader, than no Firearms license is required.

Info: (Firearms Canada: Non-residents)

According to Ontario's hunting regs, (Ontario MNR)

You must be 16 years old to purchase a hunting licence, bear tag and bear certification.

It seems pretty simple. If he can get a minor's Gun licence in time he can borrow your rifle ONCE you have entered Canada. If he hunts with a bow or a flintlock he can do so as his own person. If he hunts in your or the guide's immediate presence (not a bad idea if this is his first bear hunt...) he doesn't need a gun licence at all. And however it goes, he's old enough to hunt under provincial regulations.