Places to legally shoot clays except for the gun ranges

Hey guys,

I'm super new when it comes to hunting in Canada. I'm working now on getting all the paperwork done to be able to hunt and will be buying my first gun shortly.

I do have a few questions to ask you. Especially those of you living in or close to Burlington, Ontario. A few of my friends who have PALs took us out to Orillia, Ontario somewhere where we were able to shoot targets. It was just a secluded area in the woods with no traffic at all. It was close to a lake and there was no people there for miles so I'm pretty sure we didn't bother anyone. So my question one: Is that even legal to do? I hear if you find a gravel pit you could discharge your firearm as long as your ppwk is in order. And question two: Is there an area like that close to Burlington, Ontario?

Thank you guys

Your question will get better response if you post it in Hunting 101 or Firearms and Ammo, as this subforum is really for site feedback and so on.

That said: it's legal to target shoot where you can safely do so, provided of course that you have permission to shoot on that property.

You will have to bear in mind that municipal bylaws may prohibit discharging firearms in some areas, either within municipal boundaries or within certain distances of buildings. You will have to check local bylaws in the place you intend to go shooting.

If shooting on private land or Crown land you will need to make sure that you have an appropriate backstop or, when shooting clays, that you are not shooting where people would be within the area your shot will fall back to earth.

If shooting on Crown land, bear in mind that you may be disturbing other users. You will also want to bear in mind that shooting clays leaves a lot of debris, and while the debris may be biodegradable, it sticks around a long time and is unsightly. It's important to be courteous and remember that target shooting on publicly accessible land is a privilege. I suggest shooting on ranges where possible. Hamilton has a good trap range.

Can't answer re what's close to Burlington.

Hi Mateo,
Southern Ontario is pretty much private land. There are small tracts of public land however most, if not all, do not allow target practice or clay shooting. If you have access to private land in an area that allows discharge of a firearm (check with the town or city for gun by-laws) then you should be good to go provided there are no close neighbours, lol. Picking up empty shell casings and keeping the area clean is a must!

You can join a local gun club and shoot year round is another option. If you want to head out for a round of trap (I am by no means an expert) send me a PM for details.

RB

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Originally Posted by welsh

Your question will get better response if you post it in Hunting 101 or Firearms and Ammo, as this subforum is really for site feedback and so on.

That said: it's legal to target shoot where you can safely do so, provided of course that you have permission to shoot on that property.

You will have to bear in mind that municipal bylaws may prohibit discharging firearms in some areas, either within municipal boundaries or within certain distances of buildings. You will have to check local bylaws in the place you intend to go shooting.

If shooting on private land or Crown land you will need to make sure that you have an appropriate backstop or, when shooting clays, that you are not shooting where people would be within the area your shot will fall back to earth.

If shooting on Crown land, bear in mind that you may be disturbing other users. You will also want to bear in mind that shooting clays leaves a lot of debris, and while the debris may be biodegradable, it sticks around a long time and is unsightly. It's important to be courteous and remember that target shooting on publicly accessible land is a privilege. I suggest shooting on ranges where possible. Hamilton has a good trap range.

Can't answer re what's close to Burlington.

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Thank you Welsh, very valid points and I will be sure to take them all into consideration.

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Originally Posted by Redbull

Hi Mateo,
Southern Ontario is pretty much private land. There are small tracts of public land however most, if not all, do not allow target practice or clay shooting. If you have access to private land in an area that allows discharge of a firearm (check with the town or city for gun by-laws) then you should be good to go provided there are no close neighbours, lol. Picking up empty shell casings and keeping the area clean is a must!

You can join a local gun club and shoot year round is another option. If you want to head out for a round of trap (I am by no means an expert) send me a PM for details.

RB

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Thank you RedBull,

I plan on joining the Silverdale Gun club as soon as my PAL comes through. I'm not aware of any other gun clubs that would be closer to me but I will do some research. Once my license comes through I will be definitely up for trap shooting. Thank you

As far as gravel puts thy are private property and you would need permission from the owner to be able to shoot at them . Dutch

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Originally Posted by Mateo

Thank you RedBull,

I plan on joining the Silverdale Gun club as soon as my PAL comes through. I'm not aware of any other gun clubs that would be closer to me but I will do some research. Once my license comes through I will be definitely up for trap shooting. Thank you

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Hamilton angling and hunting association in Alberton/ Ancaster is likely the closest one and its a really nice facility as well, been a member since 08.

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Originally Posted by Mateo

Hey guys,

I'm super new when it comes to hunting in Canada. I'm working now on getting all the paperwork done to be able to hunt and will be buying my first gun shortly.

I do have a few questions to ask you. Especially those of you living in or close to Burlington, Ontario. A few of my friends who have PALs took us out to Orillia, Ontario somewhere where we were able to shoot targets. It was just a secluded area in the woods with no traffic at all. It was close to a lake and there was no people there for miles so I'm pretty sure we didn't bother anyone. So my question one: Is that even legal to do? I hear if you find a gravel pit you could discharge your firearm as long as your ppwk is in order. And question two: Is there an area like that close to Burlington, Ontario?

Thank you guys

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The only thing I would add to what has been said, is a word of caution, if you are given permission to target shoot clay on someones private property, and they have livestock, be aware that if swine ingest the broken shards of clay, which they've been known to do. Those shards act like pieces of glass in their stomachs and will kill them.

You don't stop hunting because you grow old. You grow old because you stop hunting.
- Gun Nut

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Originally Posted by Hunter John

Hamilton angling and hunting association in Alberton/ Ancaster is likely the closest one and its a really nice facility as well, been a member since 08.

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I agree, very nice club and some really good folks there to help you with shooting. It's the home club for our 3 X national skeet champion.

Shooting clays on other than private land, or a shooting facility, has frequently led to a ban on shooting, other than while legally hunting, in those areas. Such as Nonquon and Simcoe County Forest tracks, and Scugog Island crown land, which are also used by non shooters. Unless you clean up your broken clays, other 'non shooting' folks will more than likely call someone about the mess left behind.

Better to just shoot them at a club, or on private land IMHO. Actually, a few years ago, we were shooting clays at a farm outside of Lindsay, and the cops promptly showed up. Only to check out what all the shooting was about....but nonetheless...

Don.

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Originally Posted by Hunter John

Hamilton angling and hunting association in Alberton/ Ancaster is likely the closest one and its a really nice facility as well, been a member since 08.

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HAHA is closed to new members. I was a member and did not renew. Silverdale charges 20 bucks a day for non members to shoot. Around here the best place is a club like silverdale. Idiots have shot at crown land around here. But this land has walking trails and just gives the rest of hunters a bad impression with non hunters.. Shoot at silverdale or try some trap at waterdown or haha...

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Originally Posted by pbonura

HAHA is closed to new members. I was a member and did not renew. Silverdale charges 20 bucks a day for non members to shoot. Around here the best place is a club like silverdale. Idiots have shot at crown land around here. But this land has walking trails and just gives the rest of hunters a bad impression with non hunters.. Shoot at silverdale or try some trap at waterdown or haha...

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Im a Silverdale member. I get a $100 membership discount, so it's cheap enough. I believe it's only $10 to shoot clays as a guest....... and $20 to shoot down at the rifle ranges. I just checked the website. This is a great deal if you only want to shoot trap. Mind you, it's still an extra $7. per game of 25 shots. Was a time when I use to shoot 8-10 boxes a visit! Addictions are expensive!
At $10 per game, you'd be better to go as a guest, rather than pay the member fee.


As for Crown Land.... there are signs at Beverly Swamp and areas near there that state 'No Target Shooting'. This would include shooting clays. Also, nobody wants to see the broken clays lying around there.
Call the MNR and ask for Mark Halley. He's a CO for the area, and can probably tell you what is an acceptable area of public land to target shoot.

Good luck. Enjoy.

Thank you for the additional information and ideas fellas

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Originally Posted by Hunter John

Hamilton angling and hunting association in Alberton/ Ancaster is likely the closest one and its a really nice facility as well, been a member since 08.

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DO you need to be sponsored to be a member?

thank you!

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Originally Posted by Shaan

DO you need to be sponsored to be a member?

thank you!

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This thread is 5 years old. The club listed above may no longer exist.

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Originally Posted by trimmer21

This thread is 5 years old. The club listed above may no longer exist.

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HAHA still very much exists.

https://www.hahaclub.ca/

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Originally Posted by Mateo

Hey guys,

I'm super new when it comes to hunting in Canada. I'm working now on getting all the paperwork done to be able to hunt and will be buying my first gun shortly.

I do have a few questions to ask you. Especially those of you living in or close to Burlington, Ontario. A few of my friends who have PALs took us out to Orillia, Ontario somewhere where we were able to shoot targets. It was just a secluded area in the woods with no traffic at all. It was close to a lake and there was no people there for miles so I'm pretty sure we didn't bother anyone. So my question one: Is that even legal to do? I hear if you find a gravel pit you could discharge your firearm as long as your ppwk is in order. And question two: Is there an area like that close to Burlington, Ontario?

Thank you guys

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Mateo,
I live in Burlington and there is no place within 2+ hr drive where you can legally shoot clays other than private land (farm) or a gun club. Thankfully target shooting on crown land and conservation land has been banned because of idiots abusing it. Gravel pits, at least the ones in southern Ontario, are typically private land and I would suggest getting permission before you try that or you could land yourself in a pile of trouble for trespassing.

Why not join a gun club for what you want to shoot? I am a member of BRRC and HGC and it allows me to shoot any shotgun, pistol or rifle I own.