Newbie Needs Help

v65magnafan

v65magnafan

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Now that I've retired, and my kids are more independent, I have some time to do stuff I put off for years--while working full time and being a dad.

One thing I want to do is spending more time outdoors--I used to camp fairly regularly when I was a kid--and hunt (never got to do that)

This weekend, I inspected acreage near Bancroft, Ontario. One property I liked was a 25 acre hunting camp with crown land on two sides and access through crown land to a creek for swimming and fishing. It has a cabin with a wood stove, a wood shed and a privy. The asking price is $39,900.

I really like the proximity to crown land--lots of it.

Here are some of my thoughts. I would appreciate any improvement I can make to my thinking.

I want a place outdoors to plink (non-restricted of course :eek: ).

I think that on my own property, I can shoot whatever non-restricted I want, whenever.

But, if I’m on crown land, I can plink—provided that I use a target or something—so that a reasonable MNR person will know that I am not hunting.

My dilemma is this: with so much crown land around, do I really need my own property?

Will camping and plinking on my own property offer any advantages that would outweigh the cost—probably around $200/month for the mortgage?

With so much crown land around, why don't I just plink there?

BTW--I'll have my Ontario Outdoors Card by the end of July.

Thanks for any ideas, or for clearing up my misconceptions.
 
A lot of the crown land around Bancroft is leased to hunt camps - best to clarify about that, if you wish to hunt/plink there - 25 acres is too small for deer, etc. The other thing is road availability - year around access?
Finally, a lot of country folk dont appreciate the sounds of gunfire, even in "North of Seven" country. You will likely get visits from the local constabulary, there's a 60 person OPP detachment here!
However, Bancroft has a good range at the local fish and game club, which costs 35 large a year. (I was there today...)
Best of Luck...
 
I went through a similar dilema. I bought the property. I am lucky because all of the folks on my lake understand guns or have guns or hunt. :D

I shoot pretty well anytime I want. Expressly .22

But, you can buy some real nice time at some real nice cottages without the headaches for much less than acreage will cost you.

Join a Club - of like minded folks. Best place to shoot IMO.

If you're coming from the GTA, Bancroft is some serious gas money that could go towards ammo. :)

Just when you think there is so much Crown Land around, there is a house or cottage or cabin right around the bend.
 
Well I guess there is nothing nicer then owning your own land. I say if you like it, go for it! It is something that you can call your own. We sold our place and bought 40 acres on a private lake surrounded by crown land as well and very much love it.
As for shooting on crown land, that is fine just as long as it is crown land and you are target shooting "non season" But make sure it is actually crown land and not hunting camp land as one poster mentioned. You could get in deep doo doo if it is someone elses land.
Good luck with your purchase if you consider it!
 
cosmic said:
A lot of the crown land around Bancroft is leased to hunt camps - best to clarify about that, if you wish to hunt/plink there - 25 acres is too small for deer, etc. The other thing is road availability - year around access?
Finally, a lot of country folk dont appreciate the sounds of gunfire, even in "North of Seven" country. You will likely get visits from the local constabulary, there's a 60 person OPP detachment here!
However, Bancroft has a good range at the local fish and game club, which costs 35 large a year. (I was there today...)
Best of Luck...
Click to expand...

please tell me you don;t mean 30 000 :p

You can check with local autorities regarding the discharging of firearms (noise issues) and pay a visit to the neighbours... ask them if they have any deer heads thay want to sell..... you'll find out how they feel about hunting right away,...;)
 
i had a talk with a CO about shooting on crown and he basically told me, that it is not a good idea to go in the bush target practising because its hard to prove your not hunting, but if somethings in season and you have a tag for that it is al right (though dont go in during rabbit season with a .338 mag and say your rabbit hunting:p )
as far as your own property as long as the area has no bylaws i dont believe anybody can say anything about you targeting on your own property, you may get a visit from the CO's or the cops but as long as you are doing nothing illegal you should be alright, just take them to where you where shooting and show them what you are shooting at. thats of course if you hit the target;)
 
You can target shoot on Crown land provided there is no restriction on the discharge of firearms in that municipality. A CO telling you it's not a good idea is just being overly cautious... or he just does not want to be bothered answering bogus poaching calls on a Sunday afternoon.
There is nothing in any of the Fish and Game, Firearms Regulations, Crown Land Use, Hunting Regulations, or Conservation acts that make target shooting illegal. Just make sure you and your guns are legal and licensed and you have a safe backstop.
 
Right. I was just talking with someone who knows about one thousand percent more than I do. He said: Go to the Bancroft OPP and have them inspect the acreage in question. They will advise on a private range setup--mainly the backstop. Then, the landowner would have a "legal" private range--on which only his firearms can be used. But guests could shoot the owner's firearms. Interesting stuff.
 
the great thing of your own place;) you get to choose who hunts there..we have a 37 acre lot in the bobgageon area...we hunt it ever year ...almost every year we get our deer..we get to target practice all we want to..
if you can afford the joint....buy it and enjoy it..
btw.... dont forget to invite me up for a hunt:D
 
If you went that route, with the OPP, I doubt you would have any problems allowing guests to shoot their own firearms. As somebody else mentioned, does it have year round access or just seasonal? Hydro, septic system, well or other water source (spring)? Without having seen it, it sounds pretty good to me.

Edit: never mind on the septic question, I just re-read the original post and saw "privvy".
 
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I think, with guests on an OPP approved range, that my range is a private personal range. The moment guns other than mine are discharged there, it becomes more of a club kind of operation. Hello insurance. Hello different standards.

My take on it, anyway.
 
fogducker said:
the great thing of your own place;) you get to choose who hunts there..we have a 37 acre lot in the bobgageon area...we hunt it ever year ...almost every year we get our deer..we get to target practice all we want to..
if you can afford the joint....buy it and enjoy it..
btw.... dont forget to invite me up for a hunt:D
Click to expand...

Not entirely correct.

If you have your own land and have no no hunting signs on your property, other people can hunt on your property.. Now, if you had a no tresspassing sign posted on your property, then those who try and hunt on your land would be charged. But if you have a no hunting sign on your land, then neather you or anyone else would be able to hunt on your property.
 
The CO is wrong, in his way of thinking you are guilty now prove you are innocent. If you own the land and are target practising in a safe manner and not endangering anyone or braking any bylaws you or your friends can practise. The CO has to prove to a court you are hunting and not target practising. Put target up with a safe back stop and enjoy yourself. I am also retired and we own a camp on Crown Land from where I just got back today. We were shooting every day and have been since 1989 (when at camp) with all our guests infront of OPP and CO's. If you own land with a good deer population around it and lots of pivate hunting land or crown land around and are satisfied with that you will shoot deer.
 
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