ottawa plinking

[jeeprider]

anyone know directions where to find gravel pits in Marlborough forest for a little plinking and target practice i hear there is one but don't know how to get there.
Any directions would be appreciated or any known problems or restrictions would help too.
thanks everyone.

 

[Vario]

I am alao wondering . I only use stittsville or private property. Looking for a good pit.

 

[jeeprider]

looks like not too many Ottawa types on this forum. if anyone knows of a pit (and i know Marlboro has one-just cant find it), just let us know.
Thanks

 

[Goldenlakepete]

It's been over 20 years since I've been there but if I remember correctly - go along Roger Stevens Drive from North Gower (heading west) and turn right onto the 1st of the roads going into the Forest (there used to be signs). Go up to Klondike Road West (the 1st east-west road). The big gravel pit was just off Klondike Road.

When the Forest was under Ottawa/Carleton you could get a free map of the Forest - try calling/writing the City of Ottawa and see if you can still get a map.

Have you looked on "Google Maps"?

A word of caution - there have been several threads about the Marlborough Forest on "oodmag.com" where guys have warned about the Forest being over-run with hikers/birdwatchers etc. Plus I think I read that there are vehicle access restrictions too.

I just looked on "Google Maps Streetview" and it looks like there is a barricade across the "E2" access road. Actually - it looks like there are barricades on all the access roads. I used to mainly go in on E6 but it's barricaded too. From what I see on "Google Maps Streetview" - the only way into the Forest seems to be by foot, bike, motorcycle or ATV.

 

[warrenb]

Use stittesville range or other. We have so few places in the area we have to support them.

 

[jeeprider]

thanks Goldenlakepete i really appreciate that i will check google maps and see if i can find the pit off of Klondike.
thanks again.

 

[diemaco]

Get ready to piss off anyone trying to hunt in Marlborough. Be safe, find a good backstop ("bush" doesn't count), be aware of other forest users, and clean up after yourself. Lots of private land mixed in to be mindful of.

 

[jeeprider]

thanks for the heads up diemaco. thats why i was looking specifically for a gravel pit that I heard people use to shoot targets or clays or to sight in their long guns. i just cant locate that specific pit. its supposed to be quite safe. do you by chance know where it is and how to get there?

Thanks again.

 

[dinsdale]

Bunch of reasonably priced ranges around same distance from Ottawa.
EOHC, Grenville, Day pass at Stittsville , SFFGC (Once moratorium is lifted)

 

[glang1]

Be very careful when shooting in the Ottawa area. Most of the City of Ottawa is a No Discharge area. Here is a map that shows the area's where you can shoot if it is public land or you have the land owner permission. http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/bylaw/a_z/firearms/index_en.html

George

 

[jeeprider]

Thanks glang1 i checked it out and you can discharge a firearm in Marlborough Forest.
Dinsdale, I appreciate you weighing in here I am a handgun shooter but want to try shotgun and possibly rifle a bit later on. Just want to shoot a few shotgun rounds at a pit first and then graduate to a range. I though about Smith Falls and will keep it in mind.
Thanks for the advice. Still trying to locate that Marlborough pit I keep hearing about but no one can pin point where it is for me.
Thanks for all of you help.

 

[Fremen]

Be very careful when shooting in the Ottawa area. Most of the City of Ottawa is a No Discharge area. Here is a map that shows the area's where you can shoot if it is public land or you have the land owner permission. http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/bylaw/a_z/firearms/index_en.html

George

Nice to see they finally updated the maps.

 

[kzelmer]

Please read the section below for the by-law. I believe it prohibits discharging a firearm in the marlborough forest. I'd hate for you to run into any issues.


4. (1) In the areas that are not shaded on any of the maps attached as Schedules "A" to "P" inclusive or that are not navigable water as described in subsection 3(1), no person shall discharge a firearm,
on, over or across any highway or portion thereof;
on, over or across any public land within the City of Ottawa including parks, conservation areas, forestry lands formerly managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and described in By-law No. 2001-439 of the City of Ottawa, school property, recreational areas, but not including,
an unopened road allowance, and
the forestry lands formerly managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources described in By-law No. 2001-439 and known as:
Carp Hills Forest;
Corkery Woodlands;
Marlborough Forest; and
Pinery-Long Swamp Forest;

 

[diemaco]

Please read the section below for the by-law. I believe it prohibits discharging a firearm in the marlborough forest. I'd hate for you to run into any issues.


4. (1) In the areas that are not shaded on any of the maps attached as Schedules "A" to "P" inclusive or that are not navigable water as described in subsection 3(1), no person shall discharge a firearm,
on, over or across any highway or portion thereof;
on, over or across any public land within the City of Ottawa including parks, conservation areas, forestry lands formerly managed by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and described in By-law No. 2001-439 of the City of Ottawa, school property, recreational areas, but not including,
an unopened road allowance, and
the forestry lands formerly managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources described in By-law No. 2001-439 and known as:
Carp Hills Forest;
Corkery Woodlands;
Marlborough Forest; and
Pinery-Long Swamp Forest;

It reads that way if you skim it (I had to reread it when I first saw the by-law online) but the bolded part is key.

 

[jeeprider]

i believe Diemaco is right. Marlborough is one of the few areas in Ottawa where you can discharge a firearm. Thanks everyone for your help. I will go scope out the Pit recommended by Goldenlakepete this weekend.