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I have been looking for somewhere closer to home for a simple zero check on my rifles before hunting season and came across a section of crown land in Springwater township. I am just wondering if anyone knows the Discharge of firearms bylaws if any in Springwater? I have been trying to get ahold of the township but have not heard back.
Well their website does have a few references to firearms and they seem to favour range use, this one might apply but its pretty vague, there is a named club here you might want to call and they will give you the goods. Barrie District Hunters and Anglers Conservation Club.Quote:
Originally Posted by anglodrkns
https://www.springwater.ca/en/townsh...aw-updated.pdf
Thanks I will give them a try
After a long wait the township has finally responded. It is kind of vague, but sounds like it is legal. This was there response.
Be advised, the Township currently does not have a hunting by-law or a discharge of firearms by-law. However, you are required to follow your firearms license and regulations as per federal and provincial legislation.
Furthermore, discharge of firearms within the Township of Springwater is regulated and monitored by the Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
I had already spoken with the OPP and MNR about using this area for target shooting and it seems no one wants to outright say you can they just keep passing me on to someone else. But target shooting is allowed on crown land and there is no discharge of firearms bylaws so I believe this would be legal
Guess to only restriction on crown land would be the caliber restriction. Something about .270 south of something? sure someone who rifle hunts can clear up that requirement. Just be sure its crown as Springwater is a mash up of simcoe county forest, notawasaga conservation and true crown land. Simcoe counties doesn't allow target shooting at allQuote:
Originally Posted by anglodrkns
with the response you got i would also think that that means its legal lol. im not sure why the government needs to make everything so complicated, oh wait i lied i do know why more tickets =more money.
in my opinion i would think youre good, but as FFF said watch out for the caliber.
The only other caliber restrictions I'm aware of are in the hunting regulations under small game it lists townships where you can't HUNT with anything greater than .275 caliber.
There may be somewhere else though?
Not to be an azz, but are you sure it's Crown Land and not Simcoe County forest? I would believe the township office must have a definite answer one way or the other.
A lot of Simcoe Forest has parcels of crown mixed around the borders depending on the tract. More so in the northern part in severn township but also in springwater and also mixed with NVCA lands.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fisherman
I did a lot of research around a few years ago. These days there's an app for that.
After speaking with a guy from the local MNR branch he said Simcoe county does not allow target shooting on crown land at all. You are allowed hunting but no target shooting even though it is crown. He was a good guy to talk to because he actually sent me the links to the info off the crown land policy use atlas as well as other maps of the area etc.
And yes I did thorough research to make sure it is Crown because to me it looked like farmland honestly. But on both the county interactive map and CLUPA it comes up as crown, not belonging to NVCA and the Midhurst MNR clarified that.
Bowjob
I completely agree. The government says they want us to enjoy our recreational sports but make it next to impossible to get the required information. It really seems like they are looking to give out more fines and make the hunting/shooting community look like bad people
I live in Simcoe county and spend a good amount of time in the county forests and the small amount of Crown land. I have reviewed several land use policy documents for some of the Crown I frequent and see no mention restricting target shooting. Do you have any links to the County restricting / by-law against target shooting on Crown? I assume this is a matter of several layers of rules and regulations that you had to dig through, why would they make this easy for the public!? ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by anglodrkns
We'll never find legislation where permission to do a certain thing is given. All legislation in Canada only FORBIDS certain acts. Therefore,unless something is expressly illegal,we're quite free to do as one wishes,of course,having common sense and due regard for the rights,safety and security of all others.Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyD78
Thanks for the reply. You're correct; I can't seem to find the documentation restricting target shooting on Crown within Simcoe County that was mentioned. I was under the assumption that since it is not expressly restricted on Crown and doesn't violate any local municipal bylaws I'm safe. Furthermore I could not seem to find any documentation for Simcoe County restricting this on Crown. Very frustrating trying to be a law abiding citizen these days. CheersQuote:
Originally Posted by trimmer21
did you end up figuring it out ? honestly i would email the rcmp ask out right,Quote:
Originally Posted by MattyD78
"is this legal or not because there is 0 information about this and the township said {insert township response here}. Just want to be a safe law abiding gun owner"
see what they say.
When I spoke with the MNR they stated that in Simcoe county target shooting was not allowed due to the close proximity of people. I have not found it anywhere in writing stating that it is not allowed. That is just the first government official who gave me any kind of answer outside of ask the next person, and that is including the OPP.
Thanks anglodrkns for the clarification, much appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by anglodrkns
I have now also contacted the RCMP to see what they say
It’s probably legal, but they will probably say it’s not. Just tell them your rifles have silencers to keep the noise down.Quote:
Originally Posted by anglodrkns
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Simcoe County website says no target practice or sighting in firearms.
From what I can tell that is only for the county forests. That doesn't mention on crown land