Shooting after dark

[Joe28]

I was thinking of setting up a shooting range at my hunt camp that was lit by spot lights to get in some target practice after dark.

Is there a problem with shooting after dark if the shooting area is well lit and has a safe back-drop?

Some guys are saying its absolutley illegal to shoot after dark but it'd be in a totally lit up area. All firearms would be operated safely and against a safe back-drop. I can't find anything in my Canadian Firearms book that says I can't do this. I don't see a problem with this... no neighbours etc. Anyways, it would only be at like 5-8pm or something... but still its dark... just wondering anyway.

So... any opinions?

Thanks,

Joe

[Wallyboss]

It's still after sundown!!!!!!!!!! It doesn't say in the reg In well lit area it says 1/2hr b4 sunrise and 1/2 hr after sundown.

[JC]

I would like to take a few more shots with my new rifle that I just bought and that saw no action this season.....I will be your tester, see if the cops show up!!!

[Carl]

I wouldn't do it but that's just me.

I think you'd be playing with fire on that one.

[TMH]

I wouldn't do it but that's just me.

I think you'd be playing with fire on that one.

Agreed, not sure why you can't just shoot it during the day.. easier to make adjustments, see the target etc.

[JC]

Maybe cause the sun sets at 4pm this time of year and work gets in the way of fun?

[bradford2]

Guns must be in a case 1/2 hour after sunset.

I know you're not hunting, and this is a hunting rule, but I'm pretty sure it would still apply. It's also reasonable to think that if anyone heard you shooting there would be several phone calls to the mnr/Opp.

Don't think I'd try it

[orrsey]

maybe if it was somehow zoned as a shooting range?? I dont know. You not being able to shoot 1/2 after sunset is a hunting rule but your not hunting so I don't know if it would apply. Like you said there are no neighbors to complain. I would just call the MNR and OPP to get their take.....actually call the MNR first because the police rarely know the regulations when it comes to firearms.

orrsey

[Joe28]

I'm aware of the hunting regs rule about sunrise and sunset but since I'm not hunting and on private land I thought it'd be alright.

The firearms regs just state all guns have to be operated safely. Just going by the hunting regs is kind of saying that unless you're at a shooting range then you can never shoot your firearm. Because you wouldn't have a license and reason to shoot. So I think its incorrect to just go by the hunting regs on this one.

[franklauzon]

The only afterdark shooting I know of is at indoor shooting ranges...

[bardern]

you can shoot racoons after dark I believe? I am not sure though.

[orrsey]

I have also heard of hunting racoons at night.....

[DropShotr]

I believe you need a specific license to hunt 'coon at night.

I would call the MNR office in Kemptville and try to get an official clarification on target shooting @ night.

I'd rather find out it's illegal over the phone..........

DropShot'r

[Joe28]

When I lived in Bogie, it wasn't too uncommon for one of my neighbours to fire off maybe 50-100 rounds at night. It was easily in hearing distance of the village and possibly the OPP building. This continued off and on for many, many years so I think if it was absolutley illegal then for sure the OPP would have put an end to it.

[Joe28]

It's still after sundown!!!!!!!!!! It doesn't say in the reg In well lit area it says 1/2hr b4 sunrise and 1/2 hr after sundown.

Hey Wally... it does specify that in the MNR hunting regs... I am not that ignorant Champ... this is more a CFC regulations matter bud....