Ask a CO: Sight in from a vehicle

[MeghanOOD]

https://oodmag.com/ask-a-co-sight-in-from-a-vehicle/

A reader asks if it's legal to use your vehicle as a steady rest to sight in in this instalment of Ask a Conservation Officer.

[longpointer]

Sounds kind of silly to me. If the vehicle is parked with engine off it's basically a big metal stump isn't it ?

[Fisherman]

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

[finsfurfeathers]

Sounds kind of silly to me. If the vehicle is parked with engine off it's basically a big metal stump isn't it ?

to the honest shooter yes however for a poacher its one of those easy excuses when a CO shows up. One of those regs to make it easier for a CO to sus out the criminial verses honest person.
Just waiting on the question is it legal to use a rifle scope as binoculars?

[werner.reiche]

Sounds kind of silly to me. If the vehicle is parked with engine off it's basically a big metal stump isn't it ?

That's not the way the law works. The loaded firearm in (or on, or leaning against) a vehicle doesn't include any exceptions.

[rick_iles]

That's not the way the law works. The loaded firearm in (or on, or leaning against) a vehicle doesn't include any exceptions.

I think it’s more of a safety issue than anything.

[sabmgb]

years ago when my dad was alive, he had a heart attach and couldn't walk very far. He set a chair beside the truck and sat in chair with rifle leaned up against truck. CO came along and gave him a warning. Probably only a warning as he could see he could barely get out of chair.

[longpointer]

I understand that law as it relates to poaching from a vehicle or the safety issue of having a loaded gun inside a vehicle. My point is if the vehicle is stopped and engine off and you are using it as a rest to steady your aim out in a cornfield or woodlot what's the big deal ? I believe the OMNR can issue special permits for those with certain handicaps that allow them to shoot from vehicles.

[finsfurfeathers]

I understand that law as it relates to poaching from a vehicle or the safety issue of having a loaded gun inside a vehicle. My point is if the vehicle is stopped and engine off and you are using it as a rest to steady your aim out in a cornfield or woodlot what's the big deal ? I believe the OMNR can issue special permits for those with certain handicaps that allow them to shoot from vehicles.

So pretend you are a CO and come across the situation you described. How would you differentiate a guy sighting in his rifle or a poacher? Or better yet get a report from someone who has seen someone shooting as you described. If you take the time to set up a safe shooting range then the effort of packing a suitable rest shouldn't be a problem however if you need a quick convenient rest to take a pot shot well.....I feel its one of them rules to make a co's life easier.

[cantgetright]

A CO should be able to use some common sense though as well. If I'm sighting in a xbow on a target 30yds away and the bush is 500yds behind. He couldn't tell that I'm not hunting? Used to have an old sport trac with hard tonneau cover. Was ideal height for me. Just need a rangefinder if you wanted to shoot at 100,200,300 and move the truck. Theoretically that is.