Ask a CO: On pellet size for grouse or rabbit

Q: Is there a required shotgun pellet size for hunting grouse or rabbit? Ron Goheen A: There are no pellet size regulations specifically for hunting grouse or rabbits. However, there are restrictions on larger shot in cer­tain areas or at certain times of year. For example, small game hunters, other than those hunting wolf or coyote, generally cannot possess or use shells loaded with shot larger than number 2 during the open sea­son for moose, deer, elk, or black bear. If using steel or bismuth shot, they may have shells up to BBB steel or BB bismuth. This prohibition does not apply if the hunter has a valid licence for the big game species that the season is open for. In addition, hunters may not possess the aforementioned shotgun shells while hunting with a shotgun in WMU 7A from August 15 to December 15. Answer by: David Critchlow, Provincial Enforcement Specialist, MNR Send your questions by clicking here Please check the most recent Ontario hunting and fishing regulations summaries, as rules and regulations can change Originally published in the Jan.-Feb. 2025 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS For more hunting, click here Click here for more outdoors news Watch on-demand videos anytime on OFAH Stream