Feature Article October 16,2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeI'm Going Hunting--What do I need?When hunting I will require a valid Outdoor Card with the appropriate hunting licences attached, small game, deer, moose, bear.
To qualify for the Hunting Outdoor Card, I must have passed the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Hunter Education course and test.
If I wish to hunt Migratory Game Birds, ducks, geese, woodcock or snipe, I must also purchase a Migratory Game Bird Licence, available from the Post Office; its a federal licence. I must have a valid Small Game Licence to purchase a Migratory Game Bird Licence.
If I plan to hunt with a firearm (rifle or shotgun), I must also have a valid Firearms Licence, either a Possession Only Licence (P.O.L), or a Possession And Acquisition Licence (P.A.L.). These are federal firearms licences. I must carry my P.O.L or P.A.L. with me, as well as the registration card for the firearm I have with me while hunting.
Persons having a valid P.O.L. can purchase ammunition or borrow firearms for a short period of time; they CANNOT purchase firearms. P.O.L.s are renewable; however, no new P.O.L.'s are being issued.
To obtain a P.A.L. you must pass the Canadian Firearms Safety Test. If you are 18 years of age or older, you can challenge the test. If younger than 18, you MUST complete The Canadian Firearms Safety Course and pass the test.
The Hunter Education Course, and the Canadian Firearms Safety Course are taught as one under the title One Stop Course. At the completion of the course, students write both tests. A person who has been prohibited from owning or possessing firearms by the courts must successfully complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Test before they can qualify to have firearms.
If you have any questions regarding the Firearms Act call 1 (800) 731-4000.
(Dave Hanson is a Certified Hunter Education, Canadian Firearms Safety Course and Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course Instructor/Examiner)
