Firearms

 
Hunters must use one of the following:

• A centre-fire or rim-fire rifle of any calibre
• A shotgun with ball, slug or shot
• A bow having a draw weight of not less than 10 kilograms (22 pounds)
• A crossbow having a draw weight of not less than 68 kilograms (150 pounds)
• A muzzle-loading firearm

Exceptions:

• A youth hunter aged 16 or 17 years of age may not use a centre-fire or rim-fire rifle of .23 calibre or larger, or a shotgun with ball, slug, lead shot larger than BB or steel shot larger than F, unless that person is accompanied by an adult at all times.
• A rim-fire firearm may not be used to hunt bear, deer, or moose.
• A bow used to hunt bear, deer, or moose must have a draw weight of not less than 20 kilograms (45 pounds) and must use arrows that are fitted with broadheads no less than 20 millimetres in width.
• A crossbow used to hunt bear, deer, or moose must use bolts that are fitted with broadheads no less than 20 millimeters in width.
     

Crossbows may be used by certified hunters during all hunting seasons except during the muzzleloader-only deer season extension for hunters holding a Muzzleloader Season Authorization. Proof of having taken bowhunter education training or a previous bow hunting licence must be provided at the time of your licence purchase.
 

• Arrows and bolts cannot be barbed, coated with poison, equipped with rippers or designed to explode. 
• Arrows and bolts tipped with small game field points may be used while hunting small game.
    

• It is illegal to discharge a rimfire rifle, a centre-fire rifle, or shotgun loaded with ball or slug within 400 metres of a dwelling, school, playground, athletic field, solid waste disposal site or place of business.
• It is illegal to discharge any shotgun or muzzle-loading firearm within 200 metres of a dwelling, school, playground, athletic field, solid waste disposal site or place of business.
• It is illegal to discharge any bow within 100 metres of a dwelling, school, playground, athletic field, solid waste disposal site or place of business.

Buckshot is not considered “ball” or “slug” and can be discharged between 200 and 400 metres.
 

It is illegal to carry a loaded firearm in or upon any vehicle including all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
 

If you have a hunting licence, you can transport firearms (one firearm per moose licence holder in moose season) to and from camp during the following period:

• Two days before season starts – until two days after season ends.

Each must be unloaded and:

• In a case properly fastened.
• Wrapped and securely tied in a blanket or canvas.

Or:

• In the locked luggage compartment of your vehicle.