Ask a CO: Sight in from a vehicle

Ok, so you have a target staked in the ground at 100 yards, spotting scope set up and multiple loads that have been reloaded. So theres no doubt your target shooting. Anyone see an issue with that? I get the law to prevent the poaching issue but if I can prove Im there to site in only I don't see a problem, but its going to depend on what Warden shows up.

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Originally Posted by Fisherman

Ya, until someone sees a critter come by and takes a pot shot for the heck of it.

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If a person is shooting at an animal off of a vehicle, sitting at a table is not gonna change anything. That person is wired wrong. Considering we are talking out of season, which is when 99% of sighting in is done.

The law is clear however it’s up to the officer whether he uses discretion or not. IMO circumstances tell the story.

Here are a couple of true stories about using vehicles as a rest while sighting in high-power rifles:

1) a friend was leaning across the hood of his truck and fired a round… next thing there’s a crease in the hood.

2) another guy was using his lowered tailgate as a rest and blew out his tail light due to the percussion.

Seems like there are better rests to use instead of a vehicle.

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

T.


Seems like there are better rests to use instead of a vehicle.

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X2 -absolutely

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Originally Posted by Sam Menard

The law is clear however it’s up to the officer whether he uses discretion or not. IMO circumstances tell the story.

Here are a couple of true stories about using vehicles as a rest while sighting in high-power rifles:

1) a friend was leaning across the hood of his truck and fired a round… next thing there’s a crease in the hood.

2) another guy was using his lowered tail as a rest and blew out his tail light due to the percussion.

Seems like there are better rests to use instead of a vehicle.

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Now there is a good reason not to shoot off your vehicle ! LoL !

Poaching is poaching and most likely done at night with a jacklight with a small caliber gun to keep the noise to a minimum. They usually don't leave a gut pile or shoot on their own property. Mind you there are "haunch hunters" out there too.

I know of a fella who setup a mattress in the bed of his pickup and promptly blew out his ear drums from blast concussion. When it comes to vehicles,people do dumb stuff. We also should know that vehicle vibration can make loaded firearms do strange things,too.

When does a vehicle stop being a vehicle? A junked vehicle in a dump or old house trailer with no axles sitting in a bush used as a blind or a rest is a violation.

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Originally Posted by tracker

When does a vehicle stop being a vehicle? A junked vehicle in a dump or old house trailer with no axles sitting in a bush used as a blind or a rest is a violation.

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“Vehicle” means any kind of vehicle that is driven, propelled or drawn on land or ice by any kind of power, including muscular power, and includes the rolling stock of a railway.


To answer your question, the vehicle would have to immobilized i.e. incapable of being driven, drawn, or propelled.

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Originally Posted by tracker

When does a vehicle stop being a vehicle? A junked vehicle in a dump or old house trailer with no axles sitting in a bush used as a blind or a rest is a violation.

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Simply remove the wheels and you're good to go. One of my favorite blinds is an old canvas tent camper trailer sitting on blocks.

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Originally Posted by cricket

Ok, so you have a target staked in the ground at 100 yards, spotting scope set up and multiple loads that have been reloaded. So theres no doubt your target shooting. Anyone see an issue with that? I get the law to prevent the poaching issue but if I can prove Im there to site in only I don't see a problem, but its going to depend on what Warden shows up.

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It will be a problem. The loaded firearms / vehicle law doesn't mention hunting.