Does "hunting permitted" on crown land mean its OK to shoot targets on?

[Plinky]

From my understanding, if I want to be able to go to crown land to shoot, I need to make sure that hunting is permitted on that land. However, if I don't intend on hunting and bring my own targets, would it be a problem if I didn't have my hunting certificate?

 

[MrSchultz]

not sure about this, but here near calgary people go to Sible Flats to shoot their non-restricted, and that's crown land.

 

[glang1]

You didn't say what province you are in, but if you are intending to bang off a lot of rounds where people will hear them, be prepared for a visit by CO's or LEO. If you are far, far away from human habitation, I wouldn't be very worried about it. One or two shots usually don't garner much attention, but multiple shots will. IMHO it's better to ask around & find out where people go to shoot or to sight in there rifles. A hunting store nearby the area you want to shoot should be able to provide you with this information. Good luck & be safe!

 

[Boomer74]

Your question TOTALLY depends on what Province you're in...

Nova Scotia for example, apparently has some moronic rule that you cant discharge a firearm on Crown Land unless hunting.

I can't understand it, and have a hard time believing that's the case, but...

Now Alberta, it's open season on Crown Land for target practice (within Firearms Act guidelines).

 

[mvarley84]

Yea depends on the province...in ON you can shoot, hunt, camp, quad (pretty much anything that is legal to do!) on any crown land listed as General Use. However, you do need to check with local municipalities/township offices to make sure there are no discharge bylaws for where you plan to shoot.

 

[Plinky]

Yes I am in Ontario. And yes I was going to go through the route of checking with local municipalities for bylaws. But as much as it may be allowed in an area, if it's not a known place for it, it would likely cause issue considering I'm looking for a place where I can shoot off hundreds of rounds over a few hours. And I don't want to get into an "it's my right" argument with locals and/or law enforcement. I'm in the Stouffville area right now, and figured most of my closest options are about 90-120 minutes north of me. I definitely don't want to be a nuisance to anyone. I enjoy plinking, but I'm not trying to be a jerk about it.

Any places you guys are aware of within a 3 hour drive of the 404/Stoufville Rd area that would be appropriate for such shooting?

 

[Cintax]

Have you considered joining a club? There must be quite a few decent ones within your proposed travel distance....

 

[mvarley84]

Yes I am in Ontario. And yes I was going to go through the route of checking with local municipalities for bylaws. But as much as it may be allowed in an area, if it's not a known place for it, it would likely cause issue considering I'm looking for a place where I can shoot off hundreds of rounds over a few hours. And I don't want to get into an "it's my right" argument with locals and/or law enforcement. I'm in the Stouffville area right now, and figured most of my closest options are about 90-120 minutes north of me. I definitely don't want to be a nuisance to anyone. I enjoy plinking, but I'm not trying to be a jerk about it.

Any places you guys are aware of within a 3 hour drive of the 404/Stoufville Rd area that would be appropriate for such shooting?

2 hours north would take you into areas where gun shots are a regular occurrence. I regularly shoot in the Bancroft area, and have never had a problem. I like using hydro cuts, but you have to be careful...Not all hydro cuts are crown land.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Just be damned sure that there is no way you can be taken for hunting, here's why:

Proof of hunting or trapping
109. In a prosecution under this Act in respect of hunting or trapping,
(a) proof that a person possessed, in an area usually inhabited by wildlife, a firearm, trap, decoy or other hunting or trapping device, a ferret or a specially protected raptor or other bird of prey, is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the person was hunting or trapping, as the case may be; and
(b) proof that a person shot at or stalked a decoy or other device placed by a conservation officer to suggest the presence of wildlife is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that the person was hunting. 1997, c. 41, s. 109.

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_97f41_e.htm

 

[canadian hunter312]

Just be damned sure that there is no way you can be taken for hunting, here's why:


http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_97f41_e.htm

meaning if you're going to target shoot in an area inhabited by critters it's probably a good idea to stick to shooting an actual fixed target in one location rather than wandering the bush shooting stumps, logs, etc.

 

[tiriaq]

Exactly how does the power company feel about shooting in the hydro cuts?

 

[28 gauge]

It is my understand that the Federal Firearms Act states that it is only legal to discharge a firearm on an approved range or while shooting at game.Seems to me the law was put into effect after some kids in the Yukon where hit by bullets of some people informaling target shooting.Seems to me that Kim Campbell was Minister.

 

[Scott_N]

It is my understand that the Federal Firearms Act states that it is only legal to discharge a firearm on an approved range or while shooting at game.Seems to me the law was put into effect after some kids in the Yukon where hit by bullets of some people informaling target shooting.Seems to me that Kim Campbell was Minister.

Nah, there's plenty of crown land out there that is legal to target shoot on. The rules vary from province to province, but lots of people target shoot on crown land all the time, legally.

 

[Moparlover]

please clean up after yourself, where ever you shoot. tks

 

[Cintax]

please clean up after yourself, where ever you shoot. tks

Good point.

A tarp is a good thing to lay down to catch shells.

 

[mvarley84]

Exactly how does the power company feel about shooting in the hydro cuts?

It doesn't matter how they feel if it's crown land. As long as you aren't damaging any of their equipment they can't do squat about it.

 

[Lead Loader]

ive shot on hydro cuts, was a dryed up pond in the middle to look down into and shoot so i knew they bullets wernt going anywhere.

 

[Why not?]

It is my understand that the Federal Firearms Act states that it is only legal to discharge a firearm on an approved range or while shooting at game.Seems to me the law was put into effect after some kids in the Yukon where hit by bullets of some people informaling target shooting.Seems to me that Kim Campbell was Minister.

We have lived here for over forty years, and never heard a whisper about this.

Ted

 

[Plinky]

2 hours north would take you into areas where gun shots are a regular occurrence. I regularly shoot in the Bancroft area, and have never had a problem. I like using hydro cuts, but you have to be careful...Not all hydro cuts are crown land.

Exactly, first of all, I figure by going that far north, you're REALLY leaving "civilization" so to speak. My family has a cottage not too far from Parry Sound, and I've camped in Algonquin 3-4 times now. And I figure up there, you first of all are a lot more likely to be out of ear/gun shot of anyone so you're not drawing attention to yourself nor annoying anyone. And from my understanding, from the 2 friends that hunt, that's where hunting happens after all.

Bancroft eh (I actually know it, an ex grew up there)? I'll keep that in mind. I think I can find something closer than that though. I wouldn't mind posting screen shots of possible locations for y'all to critique as a possible site. The family cottage is about 2.5-3 hours from Toronto, and I think there are quite a few possible locations within 1 hours drive, and if I'm more so looking for a quick day trip, I think I've found much closer than that. Like in Bobcaygeon, there's a "transfer station", and a bunch of what looks like forested land. Under the information for that plot, hunting is permitted (but no disposition for new hunt camps which shouldn't be an issue since I'm not hunting), so in that case, I'm sure a relatively quiet .22LR rifle, maybe even with subsonic rounds if I can get them cheap enough, should work out.

I also found some land just east of Buckhorn, which looks pretty good for this too, not much further east. From my place, that's about 2 hours obeying all speeds limits. Again, hunting permitted, and there's a major roadway, then you can just pull off onto a fireroad, and park out of the way and not block anyone, or have to park at the side of the main road, but still really close to it.

I can provide more details about those 2, and a few others, but those 2 seem the most promising so far for me.

 

[Plinky]

Just be damned sure that there is no way you can be taken for hunting, here's why:


http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_97f41_e.htm

meaning if you're going to target shoot in an area inhabited by critters it's probably a good idea to stick to shooting an actual fixed target in one location rather than wandering the bush shooting stumps, logs, etc.

Considering I shouldn't be walking around with a loaded weapon if I'm target shooting, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I figure if that's the case, it's taken/broken down (really liking the Ruger 10/22 takdown right now), or strapped to my back unloaded, etc, when I'm walking to shooting and from shooting, I shouldn't have a problem . . . I hope at least.