Target Shooting on Private Land

[First Timer]

Hello Everyone,

I've got a question about target shooting on private (my) land. I just purchased 8 acres in WMU 65, south of Kemptville.

Am I allowed, legally, to set up a target range on my land? I would of course create it safely with strong backing behind the target for those rare misses, and I would only use my .22 to not annot my neighbours.

Also, can I hunt that land?

Any thoughts or directions to good resources appreciated.

Thanks

[trimmer21]

That depends on a few factors. Eight acres is not a lot for shooting firearms no matter what size. How close are your neighbor's houses to you? Could you shoot safely? What is your background should you miss a target? Is there a possibility you may disturb neighbors? What are your local municipal discharge bylaws? All these questions need answers before you build. A negative answer to any of them should prevent you from shooting firearms even if on your own property. The only exception would be archery which normally would not be an issue,BUT,discharge bylaws may include them,too,so,be dilligent.

[First Timer]

Thanks for the reply.

I do believe I can shoot safely
For backing I was considering a sizable pile of dirt, though research in best practice is needed
I have contacted the municipality for bylaws related to discharge

[Badenoch]

That depends on a few factors. Eight acres is not a lot for shooting firearms no matter what size. How close are your neighbor's houses to you? Could you shoot safely? What is your background should you miss a target? Is there a possibility you may disturb neighbors? What are your local municipal discharge bylaws? All these questions need answers before you build. A negative answer to any of them should prevent you from shooting firearms even if on your own property. The only exception would be archery which normally would not be an issue,BUT,discharge bylaws may include them,too,so,be dilligent.

I agree with the comments and questions above. Some other considerations would include the definition of a shooting range in federal regulations.

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firear...ubs-and-ranges

shooting range means a place that is designed or intended for the safe discharge, on a regular and structured basis, of firearms for the purpose of target practice or target shooting competitions.

If the authorities believe your little range falls into that definition you will need approval from the CFO.

Another consideration is distance from the nearest road. In Southern Ontario you cannot have a loaded gun within 8 meters of a public roadway.

https://www.ontario.ca/document/onta...al-regulations

I would echo the comments about the size of your property. 8 acres isn't large. I'm on just under 40 acres, the terrain is very favourable for safe shooting and my nearest neighbour is several hundred meters away. Nevertheless, I don't shoot recreationally on my property but do hunt on it. The report of even a .22 travels a long distance and my gun club is only a 20 minute drive.

[swampsinger]

Just a thought. What are the long term consequences of contaminating soil with Lead.

[trimmer21]

I agree with the comments and questions above. Some other considerations would include the definition of a shooting range in federal regulations.

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firear...ubs-and-ranges



If the authorities believe your little range falls into that definition you will need approval from the CFO.

Another consideration is distance from the nearest road. In Southern Ontario you cannot have a loaded gun within 8 meters of a public roadway.

https://www.ontario.ca/document/onta...al-regulations

I would echo the comments about the size of your property. 8 acres isn't large. I'm on just under 40 acres, the terrain is very favourable for safe shooting and my nearest neighbour is several hundred meters away. Nevertheless, I don't shoot recreationally on my property but do hunt on it. The report of even a .22 travels a long distance and my gun club is only a 20 minute drive.

By definition as cited above, the intent of the regulation pertains directly to "organized" facilities (eg: F&G associations,gun clubs and commercial ranges like Silverdale etc.). Small ranges on private property aren't included,however,they must be safe.

[Badenoch]

By definition as cited above, the intent of the regulation pertains directly to "organized" facilities (eg: F&G associations,gun clubs and commercial ranges like Silverdale etc.). Small ranges on private property aren't included,however,they must be safe.

The regulation doesn't say "organized" but "regular and structured" which is vague and open to interpretation. It is probably a lesser concern but if neighbours are unhappy about regular shooting on his property it may become one.

The other consideration for the OP is to check local noise bylaws.

[Marker]

In regards to the question on hunting the land, and I assume you mean as well as target shooting. In my experience, as the human activity on your property increases the less wildife will use it. It is much more difficult to get access to premium hunting land than it is to get access to a shooting range.

Therefore, with the proprties I have access to, I stay off the property unless actually hunting/ or setting up for hunting.

[Articcat]

My home is on just over an acre and I'm allowed to shoot on it.
I sight in my rifles and slug gun regularly and the only thing I have to do is I call the Dufferin OPP and let them know what I'm doing on that particular day so if anyone complains they are aware where the shooting is coming from.
I have a hill at the back of the property which acts as a natural backstop and the neighbor in the back is over a KM away and no neighbors north or south of me.
Dufferin county has no restrictions on firearms discharge and is the only area in southern Ontario where you can use calibres higher than 270 for small game.
so you need to check with your local municipality or county on discharge of firearms which should be readily available on line.

[Bluegill_Tom]

https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firear...ubs-and-ranges


I find it a bit ridiculous that to get the range construction guidelines you have to email the CFO. I managed to find them with a bit of googling and they contain some very useful information for anyone who wants to evaluate the ability to shoot recreationally on their own property. Safe ranges for various firearm types and calibers, best construction practices and such. Why does the RCMP feel the need to control access to that information?