Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

British Columbia Sport & Outdoor Lounge => Hunters' Cabin => Topic started by: Funeral Of Hearts on March 26, 2009, 02:34:27 PM

Title: never hunted before
Post by: Funeral Of Hearts on March 26, 2009, 02:34:27 PM
Well I've fished for many years and now I think i would like to give hunting a go.
I am just a little confused on the steps I need to take and in what order. I have tried looking it up on the govenment websites but i went in circles and got dizzy.
So, what would someone who has never even held a gun need to do in order to get licensed? What do i need to do first?
Thanks.
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: alwaysfishn on March 26, 2009, 06:05:22 PM
You need 2 things: Your PAL (possession and Acquisition licence) which allows you to own and carry a firearm. Then you need to take a hunter safety training course or challenge the exam (C.O.R.E.). This allows you to get a hunter number which you need to buy a hunting license.

Your best bet is to go into your local gun shop and they likely have some contact numbers and course dates that they will give you.

Good luck!
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: Funeral Of Hearts on March 26, 2009, 06:39:29 PM
ok, thanks. I had read about the C.O.R.E exam but didn't know about getting the PAL first.
Do you need to have your own firearm to do the tests?
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: Derp on March 26, 2009, 07:30:18 PM
ok, thanks. I had read about the C.O.R.E exam but didn't know about getting the PAL first.
Do you need to have your own firearm to do the tests?

You don't need to get your PAL first to get your C.O.R.E. and you don't need your own firearm to do the tests. After taking the the Firearms course it took 3 months to get my license in the mail, so it does take some time. I would do it soon if you plan on hunting in the upcomming fall season or even the last bit of the bear season.

Depending on where you live, you can drop by reliable, or italian sporting goods and they can hook you up.

Also, a great hunting forum that will help you lots with any kind of information is www.huntingbc.ca

Cheers  :)
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: Steelhead King on March 29, 2009, 09:11:56 PM
I think its better to do your P.A.L first if you plan to own any sort of firearms because you can elimilate the pratical part of the  firearm section in C.O.R.E. .
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: BCHunter on March 30, 2009, 07:14:38 AM
but you could hunt with another hunter and use one of his or hers firearms when together if you got your CORE now

Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: k.c. on March 30, 2009, 07:41:34 PM
I think you can take em together for about 260 there is a place in maple ridge called wanstalls there is a guy there that offers the courses
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: yamadirt 426 on April 01, 2009, 08:49:16 AM
Go get them together. Both courses took me 1 week. About $260 like the other guy says. The core paperwork took about a month to get back and I'm still waiting on my pal. The wife and I sent them out in the same envelope and she got her pal allready , I'm still waiting for mine. But I can still hunt with my bow !
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: The Fish Hunter on April 04, 2009, 04:22:17 PM
I bought the C.O.R.E text book and now i am wondering if I can just challenge the exam instead of taking the class?
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: marmot on April 04, 2009, 07:37:08 PM
Yes you can just challenge the exam, thats what i did.  Reliable or any other shop can give you the number of a guy who you can meet up with and give you the exam.


Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: spey on April 05, 2009, 09:35:27 PM
if you challenge the exam make sure you are comfortable with firearms and know how to safely handle and work them. you will be tested on your ability to operate 4 differant type of actions (lever, bolt, pump and something else)
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: spey on April 05, 2009, 09:36:41 PM
also be sure you know how to properly identify differant types of ammunition and guns, although its pretty straight forward.
good luck
Title: Re: never hunted before
Post by: The Fish Hunter on April 09, 2009, 12:19:45 AM
Thanks for the heads up! I take it there are alot of PAL like questions on it?