Target Shooting Outside of Ranges in NS

[AJCrowley]

I had a quick search on Google, and was unable to come up with the answers. So....a two part question, if anyone is kind enough to indulge me:

1) Is it legal to take my non-restricted out to do some target shooting on public land, no hunting license.

2) Does anyone know of some good locations (gravel pits etc) where I could do this without hassle? The closer to HRM, the better.

Thanks for your time!

 

[shoota]

I had a quick search on Google, and was unable to come up with the answers. So....a two part question, if anyone is kind enough to indulge me:

1) Is it legal to take my non-restricted out to do some target shooting on public land, no hunting license.

2) Does anyone know of some good locations (gravel pits etc) where I could do this without hassle? The closer to HRM, the better.

Thanks for your time!

NS really sucks when it comes to this here is the jist of it.

If your non-restricted is a shotgun you can shoot it all year long ie. busting clays, DNR told me I didn't need a habitat stamp to shoot on crown land or private land with permission if I was doing this. However the habitat stamp (which allows you to shoot other harvistable wildlife such as coyotes) is good to have but having one isn't that big of a deal cause they are only $3 and is a good safety net just in case. Remember no shot bigger than #4 buckshot.

During Hunting season with appropriate stamps you could shoot your non-restricted, but I wouldn't want to be just out in the woods blasting away during hunting season, but if you could find an area such as a gravel pit or something during this time and you had the proper paper work I guess it could fly "hello officer I am just sighting in my gun for hunting".

By the sounds of your post you are fairly new and may not have a hunting license, if you just want to go shoot your gun someplace why not join a club then you have access to private ranges where you can shoot all year and not have to worry about DNR/RCMP hassle.

And if you are cheap there is lots of ranges run by DNR that are FREE to use you just need to call and book them.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/hunt/Range_Locns.asp

cheers,

 

[AJCrowley]

Thanks for the response.

Yeah, I'm at the "I have my PAL, ready to get a rifle, now what?" stage.

I've looked into ranges, and cost isn't the issue so much as other factors - times, getting sponsored for membership in private clubs, and I've been told that you can only shoot for 30 minutes. It would just be nice to be able to head out on a beautiful summer Sunday afternoon (without having to try to book anything), and fire off a few rounds without worrying about it.

I don't have my hunting course yet, I faxed in an application yesterday, but heard nothing back yet. I was hoping to avoid the need for a license by shooting off-season (and it would be pretty clear that I was target shooting, by the lack of any additional hunting gear, and the fact that I'd be clutching a fistful of paper targets).

Sounds like the best option is just to stick to the ranges, boo.

 

[lgannon]

Hey AJ,

I know this thread is a little old, but I feel your pain. I have a nice .22 and I'd love to be able to enjoy the outdoors and do a little target shooting in the summer instead of having to go to a range. Did you ever get any more info on whether this is remotely possible? You'd think that if it's clear that you're target shooting and not jacking game, and if you're within safe distances, etc. . . that a DNR officer wouldn't care. I just don't want to test my luck and lose the privilege to shoot entirely.