Safety First During the Deer Hunt

The Ministry of Natural Resources will be conducting heightened enforcement activity in the northeast region this fall as part of a safety-first campaign. Between November 7 and 19, which coincides with the regular gun season for deer in much of the northeast, conservation officers will be checking hunters on hunter orange requirements, safe use of firearms and issues of trespassing to hunt.

Fines range from $100 to $250 for offences involving these matters.  In more serious cases, offenders could face fines of up to $25,000 or imprisonment, or both.

To ensure a safe and lawful hunt, hunters are reminded that:

•  All hunters must wear solid hunter orange clothing (minimum of 2,580 square centimetres –400 square inches) and a hunter orange cap, except during a “bows-only” season.  Mesh type construction vests are not acceptable.
• All persons possessing a firearm for hunting shall not handle or discharge it or cause it to be handled or discharged without due care for persons or property.
• Any hunting injury caused by the discharge of a firearm resulting in medical treatment by a physician must be reported to a conservation officer.
• If you are in an area inhabited by wildlife, or on the way to or from an area inhabited by wildlife, you cannot have a loaded firearm in a vehicle, motorboat, or aircraft. It is illegal to discharge a firearm from any of these modes of transportation. There are exceptions for mobility-impaired persons and for persons hunting waterfowl.
• It is not legal to shoot from, down or across a public road.
• From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, it is not legal to possess an uncased or loaded firearm in an area usually inhabited by wildlife. An exception exists for hunting raccoons at night.
• You must have permission to enter private land, even if it is just to cross to reach public land. Private property does not necessarily have to be posted to deny access. Some instances, require hunters to have written permission from landowners to hunt deer on their land.
• In some Wildlife Management Units, the use of dogs to hunt deer may be restricted

Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, a firearm includes air guns, bows and crossbows, along with traditional rifles and shotguns.  A firearm is considered loaded if there is a cartridge in the chamber or an attached magazine .  Bows, crossbows, and muzzleloaders have various definitions of ‘loaded’.  Conservation officers may also enforce Small Vessel Regulations and sections of the Liquor Licence Act.  For more information on hunting regulations, please consult the 2011 Hunting Regulations Summary available from licence issuers and ministry district offices, or on the ministry’s website.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours.  You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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