Target Practice on Private Property

[Guest Topgauge]

Assuming one owns or has written permission on private property. Can one target practice with any legal firearm, providing safe back drops and all other safety considerations are ensured? This would be for in and out of season shooting. Where I live, in my municipality, is an area where discharge of firearms is allowed.

[Guest MNR]

The following response is with regard to non-restricted firearms from the Ministry of Natural Resources’ standpoint only. For Criminal Code of Canada, Firearms Act and other questions, please contact your local police service and/or the Canadian Firearms Centre.

First, it is important to understand that the hunting and firearms regulations apply on private land the same as on Crown land.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act 1997 states that the mere possession of a firearm (includes air gun, pellet gun, bow or crossbow) in an area that is usually inhabited by wildlife is proof, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that a person is hunting.

When there is a big game gun season open, you must be licenced for either bear, deer or moose to carry or possess a rifle of greater calibre or projectile power than a .22-calibre rim-fire rifle chambered for cartridges known as a .22 short, .22 long or .22 long rifle; or shells loaded with ball or shot larger than number two shot. When only small game season is open, you must be in possession of a small game licence to be in the bush with a firearm.

At a time of year when there isn’t any hunting season open (June 15th – August 15th) a person could have a firearm in their possession and use it for a purpose other than hunting. A good example would be if you wanted to take your rifle out into the bush and sight it in (target practice). hile travelling, you should have the firearm in its case with a trigger lock on it and you should be able to show targets to a Conservation Officer so it is apparent that you have the firearms for target practice. It shouldn’t appear to a Conservation Officer that you have a firearm with you for any other purpose. However, be aware that if there is a detriment to wildlife for whatever reason as a result of “target practice”, that person may be charged with hunting related offences.

To avoid coming under scrutiny by Conservation Officers consider the following tips:

-Admit to an Officer that you have a firearm in your possession.

- The firearm should be encased and not readily accessible until you get to where you are going.

- Have targets with you to show the officer while traveling to and from the practice location.

- If possible, travel from home directly to the location where you intend to practice and back again.

Make sure you practice at a safe location (i.e., you have a safe/secure backstop away from other buildings/people/traffic) and that you have permission to be there. Many gravel pits are on private property and may be signed. Ensure you are not trespassing.

Pick up your litter/targets afterwards, if not it could constitute another offence. Some popular gravel pits end up becoming small garbage dumps because hunters/shooters leave assorted targets and debris behind.

Finally, make sure there are no local bylaws in place prohibiting the activity. For example, some municipalities prohibit discharge of firearms in certain areas.

The MNR encourages hunters to accurately sight-in their rifles before the big game season begins to prevent unnecessary suffering, wounding and spoilage of wild game animals. The MNR usually co-hosts a rifle sight-in at the Nolalu rifle range in mid-September each year where Conservation Officers are available to answer hunting questions and an armourer is on site to examine and assist hunters in properly setting up their firearms.