Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited in Ontario:

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Last Updated: September 13 2026

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Question: What should I do after getting a Sunday gun hunting ticket in Ontario where it was prohibited?

Answer: DefendCharges.ca™ can help you review the exact ticket wording, section, date, and location to confirm whether Sunday gun hunting was actually prohibited there, and whether the charge is for carrying or for discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting.  Don’t miss your response deadline because paying the ticket usually counts as a guilty plea and can lead to a conviction.  Gather your conservation officer documents, maps or GPS, photos and videos, firearm details, and any seizure paperwork, then discuss likely defences and next steps with a Ontario paralegal focused on hunting and firearm provincial offences.  Call (647) 559-3377 to get guidance tailored to your facts.

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Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited in Ontario

Received a hunting ticket or summons for Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited in Ontario?  You have been charged with a provincial offence under Ontario hunting law.  The charge concerns whether you carried or discharged a firearm for the purpose of hunting on a Sunday in an area of Ontario where Sunday gun hunting was not permitted.

Note: Please contact DefendCharges.ca™ by phone at: (647) 559-3377 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

Do not panic.  Being charged does not automatically mean you will be convicted.  Sunday gun hunting is permitted in some parts of Ontario and prohibited in others, so the exact location and the rules that applied there on the date of your charge can be important.  The evidence must also establish that the firearm was being carried or discharged for the purpose of hunting.

This page explains what a Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited charge means, where the restriction applies, what must be proven, the current fine, evidence that may matter, possible defences and legal issues, property consequences, and what may happen next.  This offence is part of Hunting Method & Firearm Charges.

I Received a Sunday Gun Hunting Ticket or Summons.  What Should I Do?

Read every document carefully and do not miss the response deadline or required court date.  A summons is a court document requiring you to attend court or respond as directed.  Your documents may describe the offence as Unlawfully carry firearm for hunting on Sunday or Unlawfully discharge firearm for hunting on Sunday.

Start with the exact offence wording and section number.  A charge based on carrying a firearm is different from a charge based on discharging, meaning firing, a firearm.  Other hunting charges may also arise from the same incident, but each charge has its own legal requirements.

Keep your ticket, summons, hunting documents, maps, GPS information, photographs, videos, phone records, messages, firearm information, and documents provided by the Conservation Officer.  Record where you were, the municipality, what you were doing, who had the firearm, whether it was fired, and why the firearm was present.

If property was taken, keep any seizure notice or property receipt.  A seizure means property has been taken into official custody.  Preserve potentially important evidence and do not delete, alter, repair, dispose of, or modify it in a way that could affect your case.

Should I Pay the Ticket?

Paying the ticket will generally be treated as pleading guilty and will result in a conviction.  A conviction means a finding of guilt.  Before paying, review the exact location, whether Sunday gun hunting was prohibited there on the date of the charge, whether you carried or discharged the firearm, and whether the firearm was being used for the purpose of hunting.

The amount printed on the ticket is not necessarily the only possible consequence.  Hunting privilege consequences, property taken during the investigation, and any additional charges arising from the same incident may also need to be considered.

What Is Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited?

This charge concerns carrying or discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting on a Sunday in an area south of the French and Mattawa rivers where Sunday gun hunting is not permitted.

Sunday gun hunting is permitted in areas north of the French and Mattawa rivers.  South of those rivers, it is permitted only in municipalities included in Ontario's approved Sunday gun hunting areas.  A municipality is a local government area such as a city, town, or township.

The municipality matters because Ontario's list of Southern Ontario areas permitting Sunday gun hunting can change.  For a charge, the important question is whether Sunday gun hunting was permitted in the particular location on the date identified on your ticket or summons.

For this rule, the firearm restriction does not apply to a longbow or crossbow.  Ontario's Hunting Regulation treats a longbow as including a recurve bow or compound bow.  Other bow and crossbow hunting rules can still apply.

The Sunday rule also contains an exception for hunting on a licensed game bird hunting preserve, meaning a game bird preserve operating under the required Ontario licence.  Whether that exception applies depends on where the hunting occurred and the circumstances of the charge.

This offence is about the Sunday firearm restriction.  Closed season offences, firearm restrictions, municipal discharge rules, and other hunting method offences are separate issues that may arise from the same incident.  Other firearm and hunting method charges are organized within Hunting Method & Firearm Charges.

Does Sunday Gun Hunting Apply Everywhere in Ontario?

No.  The rule depends heavily on location.  Sunday gun hunting is permitted north of the French and Mattawa rivers, subject to the other hunting rules that apply.  South of those rivers, a person must be in an area where Ontario permits Sunday gun hunting.

The province maintains the list of municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is permitted in Southern Ontario.  Because that list can change, the municipality and the law in effect on the date of your charge should be checked rather than assuming that the current status has always been the same.

Municipal rules may also matter.  A municipal bylaw is a local rule made by a municipality.  Even where Ontario permits Sunday gun hunting, a municipality may have separate rules restricting where firearms can be discharged.  A municipal bylaw charge is different from the provincial Sunday gun hunting charge discussed on this page.

Does an Open Hunting Season Make Sunday Gun Hunting Legal?

No.  An open season does not by itself make gun hunting on Sunday lawful in a prohibited area.  An open season is the period when a particular species may legally be hunted, subject to the other rules that apply.

You may have held the proper hunting licence and been hunting during an open season but still face this charge if the evidence places you in an area where Sunday gun hunting was prohibited.  The location rule operates separately from species seasons, licences, tags, and other hunting requirements.

Does the Firearm Have to Be Fired?

No.  Subsection 66(1) prohibits both carrying and discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting in the circumstances covered by the rule.

If your charge is based on carrying the firearm, the prosecutor does not need to prove that you fired it.  If your charge is based on discharging the firearm, evidence that you fired it becomes a central part of the case.

In either situation, the firearm must be connected to a hunting purpose.  Simply having a firearm present on a Sunday does not automatically establish this particular offence.

What Does "for the Purpose of Hunting" Mean?

The purpose for which the firearm was being carried or discharged is important.  Ontario wildlife law uses a broad definition of hunting that includes more than actually killing an animal.

Hunting can include lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing, or shooting at wildlife where the activity is undertaken in an attempt to kill, injure, capture, or harass wildlife.  It also includes capturing or harassing wildlife.

A firearm being transported or carried for a purpose unrelated to hunting does not automatically establish this Sunday hunting offence.  The surrounding circumstances, hunting equipment, wildlife activity, location, statements, and other evidence may be used to determine the purpose for which the firearm was present.

What Law Applies?

The principal rule is subsection 66(1) of Ontario Regulation 665/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.  It prohibits carrying or discharging a firearm, other than a longbow or crossbow, for the purpose of hunting on a Sunday in areas south of the French and Mattawa rivers unless the area is one of the municipalities where Sunday gun hunting is permitted.

Subsection 66(2) provides the licensed game bird hunting preserve exception.  Part 7 of Ontario Regulation 663/98 identifies the areas south of the French and Mattawa rivers where Sunday gun hunting is permitted.

This is a provincial offence, meaning an offence prosecuted under Ontario provincial law.  Other provincial hunting offences or municipal firearm rules can arise from the same incident but must be considered separately.

What Must Be Proven?

The prosecutor, meaning the lawyer or representative presenting the government's case, must prove every required part of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.  Beyond a reasonable doubt is the high legal standard that must be met before the court can find you guilty.

For a Sunday gun hunting charge under subsection 66(1), the prosecutor will generally need evidence establishing that:

• You were the person involved;
• The conduct occurred on a Sunday;
• You carried or discharged the firearm identified in the charge;
• The firearm was being carried or discharged for the purpose of hunting;
• The conduct occurred south of the French and Mattawa rivers;
• The location was not a municipality where Sunday gun hunting was permitted at the relevant time; and
• The conduct occurred on the date and at the location identified in the charge.

The exact issue may therefore be the municipality, the boundary of the area, the date, whether you carried or fired the firearm, or whether the firearm was connected to hunting.  An applicable exception or defence may also affect the result.

Does an Animal Have to Be Shot or Killed?

No.  A successful harvest is not required for either version of this offence.  The carrying offence can apply without the firearm being discharged, and the discharging offence does not require proof that wildlife was hit or killed.

The prosecutor must still prove the required connection between the firearm and the purpose of hunting, together with the Sunday and location requirements of the charge.

What Is the Fine?

The current Ontario set fine is $150 for "Unlawfully carry firearm for hunting on Sunday" under subsection 66(1).  The current set fine is also $150 for "Unlawfully discharge firearm for hunting on Sunday" under subsection 66(1).  A set fine is the preset fine used when an offence is dealt with by ticket.

The set fine is not necessarily the total amount payable.  A victim fine surcharge is an additional amount Ontario adds to a fine after conviction.  Applicable court costs may also be added.

The $150 set fine is different from the maximum penalty available after conviction.  Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, the general maximum penalty for an individual is a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.  Those are maximum penalties set by law and are not the automatic or usual result of an ordinary Sunday gun hunting ticket.

Can This Charge Affect My Hunting Licence or Hunting Privileges?

A hunting licence cancellation or hunting prohibition is not automatic simply because you have been charged.  A charge is not a conviction.

After conviction, Ontario law can permit the court to make an order affecting a licence or authorization related to the offence.  Whether such an order is made depends on the legal requirements and circumstances and should be considered separately from the amount of the ticket.

What Evidence May Be Used?

These cases often depend on location, the date, the firearm, and evidence showing what you were doing with it.  Relevant evidence may include:

• The ticket, summons, exact offence wording, and Conservation Officer notes, observations, photographs, videos, or recordings;
• The firearm, ammunition, and evidence showing who carried, possessed, or discharged it;
• Maps, GPS information, property boundaries, municipal boundaries, and other location evidence;
• The municipality's Sunday gun hunting status on the date of the incident and any evidence concerning a licensed game bird hunting preserve where relevant;
• Hunting licences, tags, wildlife observations, hunting equipment, stands, blinds, calls, decoys, or other evidence concerning the purpose of the firearm;
• Vehicle locations, phone location information, photographs, videos, messages, timestamps, and other electronic evidence; and
• Witness evidence and statements attributed to you or other people present.

Disclosure is the relevant information and evidence in the prosecutor's possession or control that you are entitled to receive, subject to the law.  Disclosure should be obtained and reviewed before important decisions are made about a disputed charge.

What Possible Defences or Legal Issues May Apply?

The defence depends on the exact charge, location, firearm, hunting activity, and available evidence.  Not every defence or legal issue applies to every Sunday gun hunting case.

Sunday Gun Hunting Was Permitted at the Location

The location may have been north of the French and Mattawa rivers or within a Southern Ontario municipality where Sunday gun hunting was permitted on the date of the incident.  Maps, GPS information, municipal boundaries, and the applicable provincial list may be important.

You Did Not Carry or Discharge the Firearm

Several people or firearms may have been present.  The evidence must connect you to the carrying or discharge relied upon for your particular charge rather than simply showing that a firearm was somewhere nearby.

The Firearm Was Not Being Carried or Discharged for Hunting

The firearm may have been present for a purpose unrelated to hunting.  The prosecutor must prove the hunting purpose required by subsection 66(1), and the surrounding circumstances should be reviewed rather than assuming that every firearm present on a Sunday was being used for hunting.

The Firearm Was a Longbow or Crossbow

The Sunday restriction in subsection 66(1) expressly excludes longbows and crossbows.  Other hunting rules can still apply to bow or crossbow hunting, but this particular Sunday firearm prohibition does not apply to them.

The Licensed Game Bird Hunting Preserve Exception Applied

The prohibition does not apply to a person hunting on a licensed game bird hunting preserve.  The location and licensing status of the preserve should be confirmed where that exception is relevant.

Due Diligence or an Honest and Reasonable Mistake of Fact

Due diligence means taking all reasonable care in the circumstances to prevent the offence.  An honest and reasonable mistake of fact means honestly and reasonably believing facts that, if true, would make the conduct innocent.  Ontario law recognizes these defences where their legal requirements are established.

A factual mistake might concern the location, municipal boundary, whether Sunday gun hunting was permitted at that location, who had the firearm, or the purpose for which it was being carried.  A mistake about a fact is different from simply not knowing the law.

Evidence, Search, Seizure, or Statement Issues

The circumstances of a stop, inspection, search, seizure, or statement may raise separate legal issues.  Disclosure should be reviewed to determine whether the evidence is accurate, reliable, complete, and lawfully usable in the case.

Could the Firearm or Other Property Be Seized or Forfeited?

Yes, where the legal requirements are met.  Conservation Officers can seize property in circumstances authorized by Ontario wildlife law.  The firearm, ammunition, electronic devices, vehicle, wildlife, or other property connected with an investigation may become relevant depending on the circumstances.

Seizure does not itself establish that you are guilty.  Forfeiture means permanent loss of ownership and is different from temporary seizure.  Following conviction, a court may order forfeiture of seized property where the legal requirements are satisfied.

What Happens Next?

Your ticket or summons should identify the next procedural step and any response deadline or court date.  Do not miss that deadline while obtaining legal advice, requesting disclosure, or deciding how to respond.

After disclosure is obtained, the charge can be compared with the exact municipality and boundary, the Sunday gun hunting rules that applied on the date of the incident, firearm evidence, Conservation Officer observations, GPS or electronic records, statements, and any applicable exception or defence.

The prosecutor may withdraw the charge, meaning the charge is no longer being pursued, or the matter may be resolved by a guilty plea or another agreement, or proceed to trial.  The appropriate response depends on the evidence, legal issues, possible consequences, and circumstances of your case.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can review the wording on your ticket, summons, seizure notice, or other documents and compare it with the wildlife, records, and activity involved.  This can help identify the exact charge, the legal requirements that apply, and the factual issues that may be important to your case.

If the matter proceeds through court, DefendCharges.ca™ can explain the court process, review the available evidence and legal issues, discuss possible penalties or other consequences, and help you understand your options for responding to the charge.

Have Questions About Hunting Charges?

Whether you have been charged with one hunting offence or several, understanding your legal options is important.  DefendCharges.ca™ can review your case, explain the charges you are facing, and help you understand your legal options and the best course of action.  Contact us today to discuss your situation.

Key Takeaways

• A Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited charge concerns carrying or discharging a firearm for the purpose of hunting on Sunday in an area where Sunday gun hunting was not permitted;
• Sunday gun hunting is permitted north of the French and Mattawa rivers and in listed municipalities south of those rivers, so the location and rules in effect on the offence date are important;
• An open hunting season or valid hunting licence does not by itself make Sunday gun hunting lawful in a prohibited area;
• The carrying version does not require the firearm to be fired, and neither version requires wildlife to be successfully shot or killed;
• The firearm must be connected to the purpose of hunting;
• Longbows and crossbows are excluded from this particular Sunday firearm prohibition, and a separate exception applies to hunting on a licensed game bird hunting preserve; and
• The current set fine is $150 for unlawfully carrying a firearm for hunting on Sunday and $150 for unlawfully discharging a firearm for hunting on Sunday.

Conclusion

Your Sunday Gun Hunting Where Prohibited charge should be reviewed using the exact offence wording, date, location, municipality, firearm, and evidence showing what you were doing with it.  The fact that it was Sunday or that a firearm was present does not by itself determine whether the charge is proven.

Before paying the ticket or entering a plea, review whether Sunday gun hunting was prohibited at the location on the date of your charge, whether the evidence connects you to carrying or discharging the firearm for hunting, the available disclosure, possible exceptions or defences, property issues, and potential consequences.  Legal representation can help determine what the prosecutor must prove and whether the available evidence establishes the charge.