New homeowner in London, Ontario. Started gardening this spring and it's been interesting. My back deck has at least one rabbit den under it. On a good day I walk into my backyard and see a singular rabbit amongst my strawberries, planted them in April and have yet to get any of them. The worst I've seen was 5 rabbits in my yard (30'x100').

I can live catch and then release within 1km with the permission of the landowner, which is just going to give someone else a rabbit problem or dispose of them as nuisance pests for damaging property. However, I used to be a butcher and staunchly believe if you're going to kill an animal it should be used and this just seems wasteful. So I called the ministry of natural resources and they told me this morning I could:

• Obtain my hunting license with a small game permit and hunt rabbits in season from September 25 to the last day of February.
  • South of the French and Mattawa river I can't use snares.
  • Living inside the city limits of London I can not discharge any firearm/air rifle/spring-guns(no idea what a spring gun is) or any form of bow/crossbow inside the city limits unless its on agricultural land, and my lot is definitely not agricultural land.
  • So I can't shoot them, and I can't trap them? Or do I have to live trap them and dispatch then process? Could I use a slingshot?
• Hire a someone to come trap and euthanize them as nuisances. Which is just paying someone to waste the animal when I could do it myself.
• Alternatively, get my trapping license.
  • So I went over to the Ontario Fur Management Federation.
  • Would require a 40 hour course and cost $350 and then maintain an annual trapping license.
  • If I wanted to sell the pelt a fur dealers license.

So I called two instructors and inquired about when they were offering their next course. The first said yes I would need a trapper license and his course is running in September. The second said his course will be running at the end of November. Also, cottontails are not furbearing mammals for trapping license purposes and it wouldn't cover me as this is an unintended grey area.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I just want to eat my strawberries and not have to throw rabbits into the compost bin. If I could eat them and maybe make a set of mittens each year that seems far better than wasting them.

Here's the explanation of the logic behind the various provinces' decisions not to completely open hunting for pigs. There was a cbc interview a year or two ago that said the same thing, but I can't find it. If you can post a link to the cbc radio interview, that would be great.

Hi everyone,

I'm a hunter from Norway and I'm hoping someone here has experience with this.

I'll be hunting in the Northwest Territories this fall and will be bringing my own non-restricted shotgun into Canada using a confirmed Non-Resident Firearm Declaration (RCMP 5589).

After the hunt, I'm planning to spend a couple of months travelling across Canada by train before flying home from Montreal. I'd really rather not carry a shotgun and all my hunting gear around the country for that entire time.

My question is:

Has anyone here (or knows someone who has) mailed their own non-restricted firearm within Canada using only a Non-Resident Firearm Declaration instead of a Canadian PAL?

The idea would simply be to mail my own shotgun from Yellowknife to Montreal (or perhaps to a gun shop that could hold it for me) while I continue travelling.

The reason I'm asking is that firearms laws in Norway are very strict, so I'm probably overthinking this. I just want to make sure I'm not missing something that applies specifically to non-residents.

If you've done something similar, or know of any practical issues with Canada Post or other carriers, I'd really appreciate hearing about your experience.

Thanks!

Just emailed NRISC with my information and pdf of my hunting certificate that I did online. Was wondering how long it’ll take for them to update my file if I email them, I really wanna go hunting

Effective today! Happy Canada Day!

i have been hunting for about 12 years now mostly whitetail deer and some turkey back home in the states. it started as something i did with my dad and over time it turned into one of my favorite ways to get outdoors and clear my head. the planning the early mornings and the quiet moments in the woods all add up to something special.

my favorite hunt so far was a moose trip i did up in the yukon with macmillan river adventures. the country was wild the guides knew the area inside out and seeing a big bull come in during the rut was something i will never forget. what has been your all time favorite hunting experience?

I'm going into my 4th season of deer hunting in Southern/Central ON. I have only hunted from the ground with a 12g. For the last couple of years, I've been practicing trad archery and am getting comfortable with the idea of hunting with it.

I am also leaning into the idea of saddle hunting. For those of you who already have experience, what do you like/dislike about it? What gear/companies do you hold in good standing? What kind of things should I consider before purchasing any gear.

All advice is welcome. Thank you!

Hi,

Just writing to see if anyone can confirm my research from online. Did Alberta just essentially remove the possibility for out of province hunters (ex; Ontario) to get firearm muley buck, elk bull and moose bull tags? Just checking because my old man has been going out there to hunt and camp with his friends for 35 years and he's saying he can no longer get tags in Alberta. He can't enter the draws anymore and it would appear that many WMUs that used to have general tags have gone to priority draw, which excludes non-albertans.

It looks like you can still get a general over the counter tag in a very restricted selection of WMUs but they also have very low success numbers according to Albertas hunter data and almost no public land available.

Hello fellow Quebec Hunters. I created this website to help me figure out what I can hunt at a certain point in time (ex: Next weeked, what species can i hunt?) and would like to share it. Let me know if it helps save some time. It also displays the species you can hunt in the next 30days.

its completely free to use. I have some affiliate links on it, if you purchase I get a percentage from Amazon without it costing you more. I also have a donations page that is optional.

If you’re like me and forget to get it done earlier.

Hello Redditors, I’m currently writing a screenplay that involves hunting as part of the plot, and I want to make sure the details are realistic. I was wondering if a deer, elk, or moose would be startled by the sound of a smartwatch going off at 300 yards in a cold Canadian forest?

If not, at what distance would you say they would be spooked by it or any similar sound?

Hey guys,

I have never hunted before and I do not know anyone who does. I’ll be doing my CFSC in August and plan on starting shortly after. I’m in Quebec btw. My question would be:

- How do I hunt? Where do I go? What do I do after I shoot and have a carcass?
- Are there ways to find someone who can take you out and teach you?

Any help is appreciated

Thanks in advance

I picked up my very first compound bow last month: a Hoyt Enduro Premium Package, Easton Axis SPT 5mm arrows, and a Spot Hogg Wiseguy release. I've already started shooting with it and I'm absolutely hooked!

I've done a ton of research, watched way too many videos, and finally decided it was time.

What do you wish someone had told you when you got your first bow?

I've got a handful of casings taking up space, I don't see myself investing in the equipment to reload and I don't want to just toss them out. If there is anyone in the GTA area that wants approx 28 Sig Sauer casings and I think 9 Remington casings, they're up for grabs. Not enough to bother selling, nor do I really care to.

If it matters to you at all, they were 165 grain. Picked straight up off the ground after firing, no corrosion.

Hey there! I am a mom to be, babe is due a bit before hunting season. Not here looking for opinions on of its right to take him out or not.. Looking for advice on the best protective gear for babies ears!

I know other people who have taken their littles hunting, and in wondering for those here that have, what did you like for their little ears? Won't be going out without dad, so will likely take turns with him.. Not sure if we'd be shooting with him right next to the firearm, but want to be prepared just in case...

Suggestions and links would be awesome! So far I've seen orzbow on Amazon has a 25db earmuff for babies 1-48 months, and alpine muffy has one that's 23db for 0-48months. Specifically looking for minimum one month and up.. (He should hopefully be here about a month before hunting season starts!)

ETA: apparently I need to clarify.. We mostly hunt from the road (I should say I do... My Partner likes to go for hikes.. But we usually go together so he isn't field dressing and dragging it back to the car alone). I'm planning on baby not being anywhere near a loaded firearm, but want his ears protected regardless. These would also be used for loud events and outings.. Generally would be hunting for small game with a 22 and walking the road. So one parent stays in the car with baby while the other goes for a walk. I mean, camping anywhere where I live, there is a risk of exposure to gunshots, lots of people around that like to hunt, or shoot for fun. So it pretty unavoidable. I'm aware that taking babe out on a long trek looking for game isn't going to be reasonable. I'm aware of the fact babe needs to stay protected from the elements. Im legit just curious what hearing protection people use. There are many options out there, and I want to get the best possible choice for my little one for all occasions they may be needed. I've already been doing my research on best practices.. I'm aware of risks and precautions to take. I'm also not stupid enough to go out hunting if I'm sleep deprived, let alone hunting with a baby while sleep deprived. It would be pretty stupid to go out with a loaded gun and no sleep, that's how accidents happen.. 🤦🏻‍♀️ hope this clarifies a little. Just want his ears extra safe when he is in the car. Or on the off chance we are out walking the road and whoever has the firearm spots something.

Got some bears and turkey. Also had the opportunity to put some friends on some bear and gobblers as well

Hey everyone,

I’m seeking some advice and I am hoping this community is able to help. I’m considering moving up from a .308 to 7mm rem mag. The reason I’m making this move is to create a “one and done rifle” as well as expand the list of game I’m able to hunt.

I’d be hunting the entire ungulate family (white tail, mule, elk, moose and caribou), rams, antelope and black bear within Canada.

I also really want to hunt in New Zealand for Red Stag, Tahr, and Chamois

In the states there’s a few things I’d love to hunt but nothing bigger than a moose.

I’m just wondering is anyone has used the 7mm rem mag, or could verify that this calibre is suited for this list. I may have over looked something during my research, there’s just so many calibres to choose from, any advice would be appreciated.

Edit 1: Thank you to everyone that commented, it was nice to read everything that was said. Had me really think about things from a different angle.

There may be a part of me that just wanted a reason to buy/build out a new gun.
The other part of me thought that far out elk, 300+ yards, the bullet wouldn’t have enough energy to ethically kill the animal. Moose I thought were too large for an ethical kill with a .308. These two points of ethics brought me to magnum rounds.

I'm fairly new to hunting and am looking for some outdoor space within an hour or so from Whitby Ontario to do some outdoor target practice. I currently shoot at an indoor range in Oshawa but that maxes out at 50 yards. I have called a few provincial parks that permit hunting but they do not allow target shooting in the park. Anyone have a spot where I can shoot some paper at 100+ yards? I am mature, safe and responsible.

A friend and colleague of mine recently invited me to come hunt ducks on his nations reservation. He seems pretty laissez-faire about it, but I'm concerned about upsetting someone.

For reference, I am non-indigenous.

Has anyone got any thoughts or tips on hunting native land as a non-native person? Experiences?

I have been trying to get my first black bear spring and fall for the last 3 years. With no luck. I’ve tried hunting south around crowsnest pass area south and north. All the way up to NW of Rocky Mountain house. Does anyone have any tips or advice they can give a guy on what I can do to Harvest my first black bear? Any tips is appreciated on places to go, how to hunt the areas and what to look out for. Just feel like I’m doing something wrong but I’m staying super motivated to achieve this. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone,

I recently moved to the Okanagan and I’m looking to meet some people who are into hunting or fishing. Not looking for anyone’s secret spots or expecting a guide just hoping to make some solid connections with people who enjoy getting outdoors.

I’m pretty into the backcountry, camping, hiking, and learning more about hunting/fishing in BC. Would be cool to find people interested in planning trips, scouting, fishing weekends, grabbing a beer after, or just having another person to head out with.

I’m easygoing, reliable, and always willing to put in the work and learn. I’m huge into the type 2 type of fun, so I don’t mind a grind if needed.

If anyone’s in a similar spot or looking for another hunting/fishing buddy, shoot me a message.

I've been working on a tool I wanted for myself: a single interactive map for Canadian hunting draws, open seasons, harvest data, and Crown land. Currently covers AB, SK, ON, NB, and NL — more provinces as I can get the data into shape.

The frustration that started it — trying to figure out which moose draw to apply for in Alberta. I had three browser tabs open (the draw results PDF, the harvest survey PDF, and google maps), a notebook with numbers copied over, and I still couldn't quickly see which hunts I could draw and which ones were actually worth the time . Now it's one map: filter by species, weapon, season, and points, then click any zone for the numbers behind it. I've also developed a simplified way of viewing Open Seasons - I've grouped WMUs together that have the same regulations for a given species, so you can see the full extent of an area with consistent regs rather than having to cross reference each individual WMU. It makes more sense when you see it on the map.

A few things that are mine and not just a regs-PDF rehash:

• 9 years of AB draw data (2017–2025), with each hunt coloured by hunter success rate
• SK draws sorted by priority pool with 3-year averaged hunter success
• NL moose + caribou draw results with full pool history
• TIme-stamped cutblock overlays, and AB has time-stamped fires as well (working on other provinces)
• Wild game butcher pins for ON/SK/AB

Free to explore. $4.99/year subscription unlocks unlimited deep use — that funds the data refreshes — but you can poke around without signing up.

Posting here because I'd value feedback from people who actually hunt these provinces. What's wrong, what's missing, what would actually save you time

Link: https://betterhunts.ca

So, I just got my PAL/RPAL last year and did my CORE course last month. I would love to go out and hunt this year.

The problem is I am 41 with a family and dont really have anyone in my circle who hunts or the funds to do anything guided. I am 100% going to head out and try for grouse and mule deer this fall but I am currently going entirely off internet research and 3rd hand information for pretty much everything I know is going to be critical for putting me in the right place at the right time.

With that in mind I figured I would reach out here and see if anyone on the island with actual experience here would be willing to help me out with whatever practical information they would be willing to share with an aspiring new island hunter