Accompanying my hunting partner + carrying firearm?

[muirsy]

'Just went through the regs so either I'm blind or it's simply unclear;

I have a late season cow elk tag, so no general elk tag for me this season - however, my hunting partner has his general tag and we're headed out Friday for the rifle opener.

Am I allowed to accompany him while carrying a firearm, while not having tags for that zone (general doesn't open until Nov 1st) ?

Or should I just buy a bear tag so I have 'something' in my pocket?

Thanks guys,

J

[Dick284]

Are coyotes open?
Rabbits are always open

But be aware, you will get quizzed hard if you encounter an enforcement officer.

[muirsy]

Originally Posted by Dick284

Are coyotes open?
Rabbits are always open

But be aware, you will get quizzed hard if you encounter an enforcement officer.

Landowner-only for coyotes unfortunately. 7mm is a good rabbit cartridge right? haha

I guess I'm just wondering if, by the letter of the law, I'm doing something illegal if I don't have a tag.

Truth be told, I'm an extra pair of eyes and a safety-guy, should we be field dressing an elk for an hour or two. Which I'm sure everyone has done before.

[Bigwoodsman]

I haven't bought a wildlife certificate for a few years now. But when I did, it would allow you to hunt wolf during any big game season and ended in June IIRC.

BW

[-JR-]

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

I haven't bought a wildlife certificate for a few years now. But when I did, it would allow you to hunt wolf during any big game season and ended in June IIRC.

BW

2x

[ghostguy6]

Originally Posted by muirsy

Landowner-only for coyotes unfortunately. 7mm is a good rabbit cartridge right? haha

Where does it say landowner only?

Technically coyote is open almost everywhere. If the elk season is open for your buddy then its open for coyote.
From the regs:

Coyote – A Resident, Non-resident or Non-resident Alien who holds a Non-resident/Non-resident Alien Wolf/Coyote licence may, except in WMUs 728 and 730, hunt (but not trap) coyote

a) throughout the year on privately owned land and on public land in the White Area, to which he or she has the right of access to hunt;
b) on public lands in the Green Area to which he or she has the right of access to hunt, from the opening day of a big game season in a particular WMU to May 31, 2025 or until June 15 if the hunting is in a WMU that has a spring season for black bear ending on that date.

In CFB Camp Wainwright (WMUs 728 and 730) a Resident may hunt coyote from January 5, 2025 until March 1, 2025.

Baiting for Wolves and Coyotes - On public land, hunters cannot use bait for hunting wolves or coyotes except a) from Dec. 1 to Mar. 31, or b) during an open season for the hunting of black bear where the setting out, use and possession of bait for the purpose of hunting black bear is permitted.

Each wolf or coyote bait site must have a readily observable sign showing the owner’s name, WiN, Big Game Outfitter Permit Number, or Big Game Guide’s Designation Number.

These baiting restrictions do not apply to WMUs 102-166, to persons hunting under authority of a trapping licence, or on any private land.

[smith88]

If you are looking for an excuse to carry a rifle in case you see an elk when you aren't with your partner, then I think you already know the answer and are just looking for an cover in case you do something illegal. And that is not the purpose of AO.

[muirsy]

Originally Posted by smith88

If you are looking for an excuse to carry a rifle in case you see an elk when you aren't with your partner, then I think you already know the answer and are just looking for an cover in case you do something illegal. And that is not the purpose of AO.

I have absolutely no intention of doing anything like that, perhaps you misinterpreted my question.

I'm simply looking to see if I missed something while looking through the regs. Surely it's a clearly written rule that I'm missing.

I work for the City of Calgary, and would probably get fired if I ever did something like that. Not interested in even bending the rules.

I'm doing the same thing my hunting partner wants to do in January when he accompanies me for my late season cow tag.

We just want to know if it's allowed or not. Or, whether I should just go buy a bear tag to save a potential headache.

[Hilgy]

Originally Posted by muirsy

I have absolutely no intention of doing anything like that, perhaps you misinterpreted my question.

I'm simply looking to see if I missed something while looking through the regs. Surely it's a clearly written rule that I'm missing.

I work for the City of Calgary, and would probably get fired if I ever did something like that. Not interested in even bending the rules.

I'm doing the same thing my hunting partner wants to do in January when he accompanies me for my late season cow tag.

We just want to know if it's allowed or not. Or, whether I should just go buy a bear tag to save a potential headache.

Is your firearm non-restricted? If yes then have at er. Will a CO have questions? Sure he will. Are you breaking any laws at all? No.

Regardless of time of year I carry a non-restricted firearm when I’m in the bush.

[muirsy]

Originally Posted by Hilgy

Is your firearm non-restricted? If yes then have at er. Will a CO have questions? Sure he will. Are you breaking any laws at all? No.

Regardless of time of year I carry a non-restricted firearm when I’m in the bush.

Thanks for the reply! I too carry my non-restricted rifle (sometimes shotgun) with me in the summer while scouting etc - to me it's the same scenario, so figured it was legal to do. 'Just couldn't find a specific section in the regs highlighting anything.

Thanks again,

J

[jungleboy]

Err on the side of caution. Leave the 7mm home (its dead wieght without a tag anyway) pack a shotgun and some slugs for those marauding bears and some game loads for bunnies and birds.
That way you have the satisfaction of packing heat without atracting the heat

[muirsy]

Originally Posted by jungleboy

Err on the side of caution. Leave the 7mm home (its dead wieght without a tag anyway) pack a shotgun and some slugs for those marauding bears and some game loads for bunnies and birds.
That way you have the satisfaction of packing heat without atracting the heat

That's crossed my mind too, thanks for the reply!

J

[Ackleyman]

Originally Posted by jungleboy

Err on the side of caution. Leave the 7mm home (its dead wieght without a tag anyway) pack a shotgun and some slugs for those marauding bears and some game loads for bunnies and birds.
That way you have the satisfaction of packing heat without atracting the heat

What i would do.

[smith88]

Yes, the regulations do not simply state whether you can or cannot carry a rifle while accompanying a hunter when you don't have valid tags. Because it is not clear, personally, I would want a clear reason as to why I would be carrying a rifle, so as to prevent any misunderstandings.

[muirsy]

Originally Posted by smith88

Yes, the regulations do not simply state whether you can or cannot carry a rifle while accompanying a hunter when you don't have valid tags. Because it is not clear, personally, I would want a clear reason as to why I would be carrying a rifle, so as to prevent any misunderstandings.

Yeah I agree with that, save a headache! Thanks

J

[Dick284]

Look up the definition of hunting in the Act.

You would be living on the edge of that definition, IMO

If an enforcement officer figures your intent was to hunt while not having a tag(assist) you are boned…….

https://www.canlii.org/en/ab/laws/st...00-c-w-10.html

Right up front in the “Interpretation” section.

Shotgun for “bunnies” is by far the safest (not totally safe though) path forward, if you’re still feeling you need to be armed.

Tread carefully!

[Ballertrawler II]

wolves dont need a tag just a wildlife cert.

[Peppysan]

Can you not be added to his tag as a "Partner"?
I have done this with a buddy on a moose hunt.
I think it's like $15 or so. Been a while . . .

[Bushleague]

Originally Posted by Peppysan

Can you not be added to his tag as a "Partner"?
I have done this with a buddy on a moose hunt.
I think it's like $15 or so. Been a while . . .

Pretty sure the Partner tag is specifically for a drawn moose licence. Just wondering why the OP does not simply purchase a general deer licence, unless that isnt compatible with his intended area?

[muirsy]

Originally Posted by Bushleague

Pretty sure the Partner tag is specifically for a drawn moose licence. Just wondering why the OP does not simply purchase a general deer licence, unless that isnt compatible with his intended area?

Deer doesn't open until Nov 1st in the zone, elk on the 25th (tomorrow).

I'll be going the shotgun route like suggested by a few here - thanks again to all who chimed in!

J

[NCC]

I think you should be able to pack a rifle in the bush without having any justification but in the very unlikely case that you have to shoot a black bear, having a tag will make your life a lot easier.