| Author |
Message |
doug_2
Member
Post Number: 162
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 28, 2011 - 9:48 am: | 
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Anyone thinking about carrying around a rifle on a canoe trip in much of Temagami country may want to take a close look at the legislation in Provicial Parks.
As far as I know it is illegal to carry any firearm in Lady Evelyn Smootwater park for instance, and that is the core of Temagami. In hundreds of days canoeing in Temagami I have never seen a canoe party with a gun. I have encountered spring bear hunters while canoeing though. I've also camped on a bear baited campsite along the Montreal River. We did not know it was baited ! A bear ran through the tent in the middle of the night,I guess going for the bait. Obviously a campsite is a bad place to put bear bait ! (that was in the past when the spring bear hunt was allowed) |
hunterpaddler
Member
Post Number: 4
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 - 7:31 pm: |
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As stated earlier, hunting and firearms are permitted in many provincial parks. LE Smoothwater is not one of them, but there is a lot more to Temagami than LES. |
hunterpaddler
Member
Post Number: 5
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Monday, April 4, 2011 - 7:49 pm: |
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If I read the subtext in some of these posts correctly, some of you may be surprised to learn the following:
- some hunters are fit and conscientious
- some paddlers are not fit and conscientious
- some people love to paddle AND hunt
- someone who brings a shotgun on a paddling trip is probably well be aware that weather, water and wipeouts are their primary threats
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doug_2
Member
Post Number: 167
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - 10:42 am: |
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Yes I agree with your points in post # 5. Yes there is a lot more to Temagami that LESW park but it is a highlight area for canoeing. I'm actually more "interested" in the subject of people carrying firearms for protection from bears on a canoe trip in Temagami. That may or not be in hunting season. Is this allowed in any of Temagami Parks? I think not, but I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong about that. Also the chances of a rogue bear attack in Temagami is very very remote, is it not? This seems obvious from looking at decades of canoe camp archives,ranger reports and so on. There is a far better chance of being struck and killed by lightning. "Children" have been doing canoe trips for 100 years in Temagami without bear attacks resulting in injury or death. I think that is true but someone correct me if I am wrong. |
micmac
Member
Post Number: 110
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - 5:57 pm: |
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It's completely true. Temagami is no more dangerous than any other wilderness destination. Bears are a part of the landscape: something to be admired, not feared.
The only people who carry firearms for protection against bears are people that are afraid of the bush. Period.
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hunterpaddler
Member
Post Number: 6
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 1:06 pm: |
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The only people who say "period" at the end of their post are people who think they know everything, and therefore tend to make ridiculous statements.
You are simply not familiar with the perspective that firearms are useful and enjoyable tools which some people like to have in their kit.
} |
irishfield
Member
Post Number: 303
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 5:08 pm: |
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You find the wrong warden or CO and you'll be in for a world of court cost hurt. "Since there is no open hunting season during the summer, Ontario Law makes it almost impossible to legally carry a gun in the woods". You'll be wide open for poaching charges. You can't even carry a gun "for protection" during a bow only hunting season. That said.... I know this as I have been cautioned by a CO, as I carry a registered rifle in my airplane at all times. Could be a long walk one day and I might like some food! |
micmac
Member
Post Number: 111
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 6:21 pm: |
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If you think my explanation of why a person would carry a gun for protection from bears in the Temagami area is "ridiculous", what is your explanation?
If it's not the bears you're afraid of, what else scares you to the point of needing to pack heat?
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hunterpaddler
Member
Post Number: 7
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 7:42 pm: |
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At this point, I am forced to repeat a couple of my earlier points:
1) It is perfectly legal to carry rifles and shotguns on crown land and in some parks (check first). If you are not poaching, you will not be charged with poaching. Read the regulations. They are very clear.
2) Just because you say I am driven by fear does not make it so. To me a firearm is a useful tool that I like to take with me. I just like to be geared up.
The first point is my primary concern, and the reason I posted originally. The misconceptions about firearms in Canada irk me.
The second point was really just an aside. I really don't care whether other people approve or not.
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micmac
Member
Post Number: 112
Registered: 12-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 7:51 pm: |
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During the summer, hunting seasons for game animals are closed. There are year-round open seasons for some animals: none of which are hunted for food, and some gun-toting individuals use this loophole to justify carrying a firearm to ease their fears of things that go bump in the night.
Hunterpaddler:
You say that a firearm is a useful tool to take on a canoe trip. Do you use it to split firewood? Start your campfire? Paddle your canoe?
In all seriousness, I can't see a reason to carry a firearm in Temagami, outside of hunting season, other than to calm an individual's jittery nerves.
... but maybe I'm missing something.
In any case, I'm thoroughly enjoying the debate of the topic.
Always happy to hear someone else's point of view... |
hunterpaddler
Member
Post Number: 8
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - 8:40 pm: |
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micmac: I am also enjoying our discussion. However, I must strenuously object to your comment in post 112 due to inaccuracy. Yes, there are year round seasons for some animals. However, that is not why it is permissible to carry a gun, as you seem to imply. There is no "loophole" to exploit.
Let me state once again: it is perfectly legal to carry a firearm on crown land in any month, regardless of the hunting season. You do not need a hunting license. All you need is a possession license and the certificate for that firearm.
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alscool
Moderator
Post Number: 291
Registered: 02-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 1:30 pm: |
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I asked my CO friend about the legality of carry your long gun around the Crown land of Ontario all year long. It is all good as long as you have the appropriate hunting license and the gun is legally registered. That said it is up to the discretion of the CO to lay charges of possible motives to poaching based on their interpretation of evidence based on their investigation. Of course this is also subject to successful prosecution in court. So to carry your 300 Magnum on a canoe trip citing your small game license and interest in bagging ground hogs in Temagami, may peak the CO’s interest. |
curly
Member
Post Number: 267
Registered: 03-2006
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 4:02 pm: |
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I think some people aren't comfortable in the woods unless they're carrying a gun. That's not a value judgement, just a statement of fact. A significant minority (maybe 30%) of the hunters I know seem surprised that I go into the woods without a gun. Some fishermen seem surprised that I go into the woods without a fishing pole. Some people think that everyone in the woods does what they do. I've found hunters/fishermen who are somewhat cool or suspicious when they bump into me, no gun, no pole, just me enjoying myself. Maybe I'm projecting, but I can almost hear them thinking, "Why on Earth would someone be here if not to fish/hunt? Must be up to no good!" I find this humourous, because when you talk to anglers/hunters about why they love fishing/hunting, inevitably they say, "It's not about the killing. Its about enjoying my time outside, taking in the sights, spending time with family and friends." But then when they see people doing all of that minus the killing, they seem confused.
I've never needed or wanted a gun on a canoe trip. If you want to hunt, and you've got the appropriate licenses, fine. If you want to carry a gun because you like carrying guns, and you've got the appropriate licenses, fine. But is a gun needed for protection? No.
I've never tripped in grizzly or polar bear country, so can't comment about that area.
BTW, I'd describe myself as a reformed hunter. |
ed
Moderator
Post Number: 999
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Monday, April 11, 2011 - 4:24 pm: |
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Many years ago I was out hunting small game in Victoria County here in Ontario.I think I may have been using a 20 gauge shotgun and I would have been maybe ~15 at the time.So that was around about 1958. My hunting companion was my girlfriend's father, a local farmer, who I recall had a 12 gauge.
We both had the appropriate hunting license for that time of year and we were banging away unsuccessfuly at rabbits.
It seems that we had inadvertently stepped just across the County line and our licenses were no longer valid. A CO just happened to show up. We were fined a modest sum and had our guns confiscated. We got those back when the case went to court.
So I can understand the point that Alex is making.
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Temagami general 
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