Ontario Outdoor Card?

[MADMAX2]

I recieved my new outdoor card in the mail yesterday and was suprised to see that they kept the same picture of the hen and tom on it but noticed that you can now see your numbers better with the gold on it I have the T for turkey hunter but also have H1 beside my T can anyone tell me what its there for

[TPM]

H1 allows you to hunt with firearms, H2 is for non-firearms (archery) hunting only.

[Partikle]

H1 allows you to hunt with firearms, H2 is for non-firearms (archery) hunting only.

Really? How do they decide who gets to use a firearm? I thought anyone who took the hunter safety course could use a firearm?

[MADMAX2]

OK thanks!!guess Iam good to go but why the change?

[TPM]

The H2 licence allows a new hunter who just wants to bow hunt to get a hunting licence without having to do the firearms portion of the hunting course ( I believe the hunter safety and firearms safety/PAL courses are combined into one now).

From the regulations:
"Two classes of Ontario Outdoors Cards and Hunter
Apprenticeship Cards are available to residents – one for gun
hunters and one for non-gun hunters. This will improve
access to recreational hunting for bow hunters, falconers and
other non-gun hunters because they will not have to take
extensive gun-related training."

[MADMAX2]

Thanks for the info TPM I asked a few of my hunting partners and nobody could answer my question about the H1 on the card

[Stash]

TPM has it right, except that in Ontario the combined PAL and Hunter Safety courses are usually combined ("One-Stop" 20 hour minimum course) but not always - you can take the Hunter Safety and PAL courses separately, but you might have trouble finding them offered individually.

Lots of info at www.ohep.net

[Bow Life]

In order to hunt with a firearm do you not need to have taken the PAL or POL Course?
I was under the understanding that you needed to have a PAL to hunt with a gun.

[Brampton Mike]

I recieved my new outdoor card in the mail yesterday and was suprised to see that they kept the same picture of the hen and tom on it but noticed that you can now see your numbers better with the gold on it I have the T for turkey hunter but also have H1 beside my T can anyone tell me what its there for

The 'gold' on the card is not something new. My card from 3 years ago had 'gold' on the numbers and lettering but most of it has worn off...Brampton Mike

[Stash]

In order to hunt with a firearm do you not need to have taken the PAL or POL Course?
I was under the understanding that you needed to have a PAL to hunt with a gun.

Just to clarify:

In order to purchase, borrow or otherwise acquire a gun in Canada you need to have a PAL (Posession and Acquisititon License) and if you don't already have a PAL you need to take the course, pass the test and get through the police background check.

A POL (Posession Only License) is no longer available, but is still valid for gun ownership and use. These were issued to gun owners when the original FAC (Firearms Acquisition Certificate, now discontinued) and currently used PAL came into effect, and were for people who already owned guns but had no interest in getting new ones.

You need to have either a PAL or POL in order to own or hunt with a gun. If you have a PAL or POL you get an H1 card. You do NOT need a PAL or POL to own or hunt with a bow, so it's not required for bowhunting. If you don't have a PAL or POL you can get an H2 card.

In order to get a hunting license for the first time, you need to take a test and it's strongly recommended that you take the course. If you challenge the test without talking the course first, the tester will in all likelihood be extremely tough on you.

PAL is a federal matter, and hunting licenses are provincial. You can take one without the other, but because most people getting into hunting want both, they're generally offered together. But you can take them separately.

[UrbanSherpa]

I got back into hunting this year after a 12 yr hiatus. I took my hunting course/test over 20 years ago, and paid $10.!! for an FAC (no course neccessary at the time). After the FAC expired I decided to "challenge the test". The tester was very tough. I passed the test and decided to do the 'restricted' test to get a handgun licence while I was there. The tester was even more tough on that one. (I probably won't buy a handgun in the future but figured the gov't will only get tougher so I got it anyway!)

I would suggest taking the course unless you are VERY confident in challenging the test. The tests were $40. each and include a practical, and multiple-guess written portion.

[SHOREhunter18]

i just got mine too, i got a H1 on my card but i dont have my PAL yet, i turn 18 in april so im a little confused. but i do have a minors license so could that be the reason its there? this is a little off topic but when i apply for my PAL do i have to wait til im 18 exactly to send it in or can i send it in early? i hear it takes awhile for them to get them back to the person and i would like to have it for turkey season..thanks

SHORE

[Stash]

From the CAFC website:

Firearm Users Younger than 18

If you are less than 18 years old and want to use firearms in Canada, here is some information you should know about Canada’s Firearms Act. Unless otherwise specified, the information in this fact sheet is applicable to residents and visitors alike.

You cannot acquire a firearm by any means, including as a gift, nor can you bring a firearm into Canada. However, you may use firearms in certain cases, as described in this fact sheet.

Minor’s Licence
A minor’s licence will permit you to borrow non-restricted firearms (ordinary rifles and shotguns) for the following activities:

target practice;
hunting;
instruction in the use of firearms; and
taking part in organized shooting competitions.
A minor's licence will also permit you to acquire ammunition unless there are age restrictions under provincial law.

As a general rule, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a minor's licence:

You must be at least 12 years old. If you are younger than 12, you may obtain a minor's licence only if you are a Canadian resident and your provincial Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) determines that you need to hunt or trap to sustain yourself or your family.
As a general rule, you must take the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and pass the tests before you apply for a licence. However, an exception may be made if you are a Canadian resident and you need to hunt or trap in order to sustain yourself or your family.
To obtain a licence application form (CAFC 671), contact your provincial CFO. If you are a non-resident, contact the CFO of the province or territory where you will most likely use the firearm.

A firearms officer may interview you and/or your parent or a person who has custody of you. Your parent or guardian must agree to the conditions under which you may use firearms, and must give their consent, before a minor's licence will be issued to you.

Conditions may be placed on your licence. For example, some supervision may be required when you use a firearm.

Your minor's licence will expire on the earlier of:

the day you turn 18 years old, or
the expiry date shown on your licence.
Licence Fee
As a rule, the fee for a minor’s licence is $10 for up to one year, $20 for one to two years and $30 for over two years.

Exceptions:

You may not have to pay a licence fee if you need a firearm to hunt or trap in order to sustain yourself or your family.
The fee to renew a minor’s licence is waived until May 17, 2008.
Using Firearms Without a Minor’s Licence
If you do not have a minor’s licence, you may still use firearms of any class so long as you are under the direct and immediate supervision of someone who is licensed to possess that class of firearm. This generally means that the licensed person must be close enough to you to be able to take immediate action to prevent you from doing anything with the firearm that is unsafe or against the law.

This provision affects cadets or members of other youth organizations who receive instruction in the use of firearms or who take part in target practice. It also applies to young people who go hunting or who use restricted or prohibited firearms in organized shooting competitions.

Turning 18
Once you turn 18, you will no longer be eligible for a minor’s licence. Instead, you will need to apply for a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) and pay the applicable fee. Currently, the fee only applies to the first PAL. Fees to renew a licence or modify licence privileges are waived until May 17, 2008.

Registration
All firearms must be registered. Only people who are 18 years old or older may register firearms. This means that any firearm you use must be registered to an adult who has a valid firearms licence.

Information
For more information, contact us.

This fact sheet is intended to provide general information only. For legal references, please refer to the Firearms Act and its regulations.

Provincial, territorial and municipal laws, regulations and policies may also apply.

Le présent feuillet d'information est également disponible en français.

Revised May 2006

[warningshot]

applied for my new card that expires on jan 1 08 ....over six weeks ago... did it on line ..says it's the fastest way ..apparently not ... i was able to download a paper version off the internet for now

[bowaholic]

applied for my new card that expires on jan 1 08 ....over six weeks ago... did it on line ..says it's the fastest way ..apparently not ... i was able to download a paper version off the internet for now

Warningshot,
I applied for mine on Dec 3rd on the internet and received it late last week. It is definately faster!
Good luck!!