Decent range in the NE Alberta or NW Sask????

[jtoews80]

Hello,

I hail from Bonnyville, we have a beautiful range. Nice shooting tables, we are supposed to be adding roofs to in spring to shelter us from weather and sun. Only one problem. When the Bonnyville Shooting Sports Assn.(BSSA) applied for a range permit we were only granted a 300m permit. It seems the same PC idiots that don't want to salute our fine tactical shooters for thier excellent skills with the 50 bmg overseas don't want civilians to play over 300m. Basically, we were not granted more becasue they didn't want to allow the 50 cal crowd to grow. This is really unfortunate because we have a great range and Shooting Sports Assn. Many of us would love to have at least another 300m to play with, if not more. I have a cut line with a big hill backing it up on my dad's farm that gives me 650yds or 600m, but it has no benches or cement prone slabs. I guess I'm spolied, but does anybody know where there is a nice range out to 800-1000 yds.
Somewhere within an hour or two of bonnyville, AB? I know there is one an hour or two west of Edmonton, but that is 4 hours away. I'd gladly travel a couple hours a few times a year to play on a longer range. One can only ring the gongs @ 300m so many times before it gets old. Hell, my wife is asking me to find somewhere else to shoot too, since she doesn't miss the gongs or targets either. She wants to try 500m or 600m with my cz550 varmint in 308.

No complaints about the BSSA, we would all love to get a licence for 600m.

CC

 

[Gm weatherby man]

The only place I know of is fox creek Alberta , I'm sure they Had a 600 yard gong , but it's been 20 years since I've been there.

 

[DrMike]

Good luck on finding a range with distance. Our own local range was recertified to 400 m from 500 m. Some locals use cut blocks and the back acreages on private farms. Though it is technically illegal, the local constabulary turns a blind eye so long as no one is blatant.

 

[Guy Miner]

It's illegal to shoot on your own land?

 

[DrMike]

Guy,

Canadian law permits shooting on private property when hunting or for predator control. All shooting on private land, other than these specific instances, is verboten. Sighting in and load development are to be conducted at approved ranges. Different jurisdictions enforce the law differently. Effectively, in northern British Columbia, so long as there is no complaint lodged, you will not be investigated. Understand, that this is not the USA and there are some restrictions. On the other hand, when one has a PAL (Possession and Acquisition Licence), they are permitted to order firearms through the mail. The firearms will be delivered to your door. Ditto for ammunition and components. Should we get a Conservative government in the next election (which looks increasingly to be by mid-May), the Firearms licencing of long-guns will likely be abolished. I don't look for major changes in the law, other than that. Handguns are restricted and require the owner to have a licence permitting owning restricted firearms.

 

[Guy Miner]

Very interesting. Thank you!

It's been quite a few years since I brought a rifle into Canada, ten maybe. In the 1990's I'd occasionally cross the border with my .308 to shoot a rifle match outside of Chilliwack. Lovely range, even if it is all mucked up with the berms set at meters instead of yards as intended by nature! :mrgreen:

Did some terrific fly fishing while there too.

Regards, Guy

 

[DrMike]

Oh, yeah. There is some great fly fishing on the Vedder and other rivers in that area. To bring your rifle into Canada, you'd need a PAL. It is not difficult to get, but it is mandatory. There are pluses and minuses to the system.