Where to go for plinking
- Thread starter Victorn
- Start date
I don't have hunting license and I don't hunt and I am not interested in hunting. I am a licensed gun owner and I would like to go plinking in the wilderness with my nonrestricted rimfire carabine, centerfire rifle and shootgun.
I want to know the following:
1. If I find a safe location such as a hill slope or a deep pit that is located on Crown's property, would I be able to just bring my guns and cans ( of course, I'll pick them up aftewards) and plink them?
2. Would I be asked to show an Outdoors Card with hunting rights if approached by CO or PO ? How can I "safely" indicate that I am just plinking not hunting?
3. Where can I find the calliber restrictions for certain areas ? Is there are any publication (map) that shows calliber restrictions?
I want to know the following:
1. If I find a safe location such as a hill slope or a deep pit that is located on Crown's property, would I be able to just bring my guns and cans ( of course, I'll pick them up aftewards) and plink them?
2. Would I be asked to show an Outdoors Card with hunting rights if approached by CO or PO ? How can I "safely" indicate that I am just plinking not hunting?
3. Where can I find the calliber restrictions for certain areas ? Is there are any publication (map) that shows calliber restrictions?
You won't need a hunting license although bring your PAL card with you. Mainly there is no way to prove that you are hunting or not but you shouldn't really get harassed although a CO might ask. (of course I live in BC so things might be different way over there)
Most town / municipal has no firearm discharge bylaws, if I am not mistaken you can not legally discharge any firearm (including bows & arrow) anywhere south of Highway 9.
I'm not sure where to suggest and if you are questionable about certain location /crown land etc contact the MNR and make sure you get the CO's name badge # etc.
Just to cover your a** make sure you bring lots of target / clay birds etc to show your intention of target practice also, its not a bad idea to visit local police station (most likely under OPP's jurisdiction) to inform them you are target practising in that particular location.
I'm not sure where to suggest and if you are questionable about certain location /crown land etc contact the MNR and make sure you get the CO's name badge # etc.
Just to cover your a** make sure you bring lots of target / clay birds etc to show your intention of target practice also, its not a bad idea to visit local police station (most likely under OPP's jurisdiction) to inform them you are target practising in that particular location.
I`ve got this answer from the MNR.
1. It is legal to target shoot on Crown land without a hunting licence. Of course the officer will have to believe that you are not hunting. I would suggest you plink as close to home as possible.
2. Section 109 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, states that: 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….
In other words, the onus is upon you to prove that you were NOT hunting. The CO or PO would ask why you have firearms and it will be officer discretion. You likely would get asked for a hunting licence and why you have firearms. Refer to '2' above.
3. Check the 2008 Hunting Regulations Summary. They are available at no charge at most tackle shops and some Canadian Tire stores or check online at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca
If you still feel unsure about going target practising you might want to call you closest MNR office and advise a CO where and when you'll be out plinking.
1. It is legal to target shoot on Crown land without a hunting licence. Of course the officer will have to believe that you are not hunting. I would suggest you plink as close to home as possible.
2. Section 109 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, states that: 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….
In other words, the onus is upon you to prove that you were NOT hunting. The CO or PO would ask why you have firearms and it will be officer discretion. You likely would get asked for a hunting licence and why you have firearms. Refer to '2' above.
3. Check the 2008 Hunting Regulations Summary. They are available at no charge at most tackle shops and some Canadian Tire stores or check online at http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca
If you still feel unsure about going target practising you might want to call you closest MNR office and advise a CO where and when you'll be out plinking.
I like where I live, no bylaws to worry about, no RCMP to worry about (unless they come out for the day from Williams Lake), although we have more than a couple CO's that only come out during hunting season.
Meaning... I get to shoot in my backyard or if I want greater distance, 5 minutes of driving to one of the hundreds of gravel pits!
Meaning... I get to shoot in my backyard or if I want greater distance, 5 minutes of driving to one of the hundreds of gravel pits!
You're mistaken. There are many townships south of Highway 9 that do not prohibit the discharge of firearms.
Mine for one.
There can also separate, additional rules for County lands. For example, County of Simcoe (north of Toronto, generally from Bradford to north of Orillia including Lake Couchiching, and west to Collingwood).
For hunting/shooting in County Forests (crown land). They require membership in OFAH (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) and they also don't (technically) permit target shooting on their lands. Note that this is ONLY for crown lands and not private property.
For hunting/shooting in County Forests (crown land). They require membership in OFAH (Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters) and they also don't (technically) permit target shooting on their lands. Note that this is ONLY for crown lands and not private property.
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Best bet would be to find someone with private land not near any populated areas that would allow you to shoot on their land.
I once found the exact places around London Ontario were you were allowed to discharge a firearm and where you were not on the net.
I haven't looked around T. but search through the municipal by-laws. I don't think there is anywhere in the GTA, but probably just outside of their borders.
I think you can in some areas of Hamilton as well.
Here's the one for London, just to give you an idea. Funny enough, you can discharge firearms at the airport it would seem (I would not try it though).
http://www.london.ca/By-laws/PDFs/firearm.pdf
I once found the exact places around London Ontario were you were allowed to discharge a firearm and where you were not on the net.
I haven't looked around T. but search through the municipal by-laws. I don't think there is anywhere in the GTA, but probably just outside of their borders.
I think you can in some areas of Hamilton as well.
Here's the one for London, just to give you an idea. Funny enough, you can discharge firearms at the airport it would seem (I would not try it though).
http://www.london.ca/By-laws/PDFs/firearm.pdf
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I'd say your best bet would be to find your nearest farmland on Google Earth, and drop by and visit a few farmers.
Tell them your plans, that you'll pick up all your garbage (and any other garbage you find too!) and maybe nail a few crows... and you'll probably get a green light. I've found farmers very open to requests. Of course there are those who just don't have the time of day.
If you come back the next day with a thank you card, or a case of beer... you'll have your own shooting spot for life
I had a few spots down around Kitchener Waterloo back in the day like that... lotsa farmland if you want to drive for an hour.
Tell them your plans, that you'll pick up all your garbage (and any other garbage you find too!) and maybe nail a few crows... and you'll probably get a green light. I've found farmers very open to requests. Of course there are those who just don't have the time of day.
If you come back the next day with a thank you card, or a case of beer... you'll have your own shooting spot for life
I had a few spots down around Kitchener Waterloo back in the day like that... lotsa farmland if you want to drive for an hour.
around courtice maybe? or go ask some of the farmers just north of toronto if you can shoot around there. where in the gta are you? like deep in it or on the outskirts? if your anywhere near coburg there are lots of places you can shoot around there.
If you are stopped by a CO, while in the Ontario bush with a firearm, you are assumed to be hunting. Have no hunting licence you will be charged. MNR policy is that hunting is the only reason to have a firearm in the bush. Plinking is not a reason.
Anywhere near TO, the land is owned by somebody. You'd have to have the landowner's permission just to be there. Crown Land is used by hikers, picnickers and other riff-raff all year. Even if you set up a perfectly safe non-permanent range, you'd have to know exactly who and what is behind the back stop.
Anywhere near TO, the land is owned by somebody. You'd have to have the landowner's permission just to be there. Crown Land is used by hikers, picnickers and other riff-raff all year. Even if you set up a perfectly safe non-permanent range, you'd have to know exactly who and what is behind the back stop.
