r/canadaguns • u/CountryFine • May 25 '26
Misc Bad experience on Crown Land
Went out to a fairly popular crown land shooting spot in my area today, it was my first time there and im not super familiar with the etiquette of public shooting but definitely had a weird experience.
When I first arrived it was just one guy and his girlfriend plinking with their .22, i asked if they minded me setting up next to them and they had no problems so I set up and started plinking with my .22 too. We would pause and go adjust our targets at the same time, and everything went smoothly.
Eventually they left and immediately after a big group pulled in. Right away they started unloading their targets and walking all around down range without saying a word to me, not even a “hi”. I sat patiently for about 10 minutes waiting for them to clear downrange, and then they just started shooting without any heads up to put on ear pro. It really came across that they felt as though because they were a bigger group they were free to take control over the area even though I was already there.
They were also shooting their prohib (GSG16 I think) and using unpinned 30-round SKS mags. I’m against the bans as much as the next guy, but this is just irresponsible. The last thing we need as a community are headlines about people getting caught shooting prohibs or “high capacity assault-style SKS’s.”
If any of you happen to be reading this, I’m sure you’re all decent people just out to have a good time, and I get it. But please think about the responsibility that comes with bringing firearms to a public spot. Every time something like this makes the news, it gives ammunition to the people trying to take this away. Abide by the laws even if you disagree with them, and please teach the young kid you brought proper safe handling, letting him walk around waving a gun in people’s direction isn’t okay.
I left shortly after and found a different area to shoot but as a new shooter the experience left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe its just because im new to the hobby, but the shooting environment that this group created did not feel safe and respectful, and im hopeful that this isnt the norm for crown land shooting.
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u/NeoNova9 May 25 '26
Wouldnt ever catch me setting up next to someone. Plenty of crown land, keep driving.
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u/pablito_87 May 25 '26
Yup! I’ve seen a lot of messed up behaviours on crown land so I decided to get a membership at a range an hour and a half away from me (which my buddy pointed out the same amount of travel time). It’s worth it!
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u/-rifle-is-fine- May 25 '26
When I read "prohibited" I think that someone snuck grandpa's full auto out in the bush to shoot.
Then it is revealed that a GSG, built to be a plinking toy, is the prohib. 😂
They share the same classification! 🤦🏻
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u/pukalo_ May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26
You used to be able to take grandfathered full-autos to the range until 2005 or so under what was called a "special authority to possess".
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u/Water-Foul May 25 '26
I think we can all agree that IF you were to be shooting your prohibs on crown land (IF) you certainly wouldn’t want to be doing it 1 unsafely, and 2 in full view of a bunch of strangers.
IF
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u/Spydude84 May 25 '26
Yeah those guys are assholes.
If someone is bringing out prohibs but is otherwise respectful and taking safety seriously I have no issues, but there is always a chance the guys out shooting in the bush and doing stupid shit aren't even licensed.
Pretty sus, I would have definitely left. Might even call the police on that. Don't be an unsafe asshole and communicate with the shooters around you.
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u/Vahuo89 May 25 '26
Yeah I avoid crown land because of these kinds of people...
In northern Quebec it's pretty much the wild west.
Police is hours away and ARs go wild.
No thx, don't wanna end up in jail!
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u/Brapika May 25 '26
Had birdshot rain on my truck before. Lots of people don't have three brain cells to rub together.
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u/Vikare_ May 25 '26
I had this one spot where there was a clearing up top, and a small pit below. I was setup in the lower spot. Could hear bullets passing overhead. Horrifying.. didn't stay for long.
Some people are absolutely brain dead and shouldn't own guns.
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u/RolandDirlewanger May 25 '26
Safety concerns and etiquette are valid. I would personally never post or narc on another gun owner using a "newly" "prohibited" rifle.
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u/CountryFine May 25 '26
The post was left vague enough so that no one could be identified but if they read it they would probably know it was about them. I didnt report it to any authorities, not narcing on anyone.
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u/RolandDirlewanger May 25 '26
I wouldn't put it out on internet that activity is happening. It's a bad look for the community.
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u/CountryFine May 25 '26
Maybe they shouldn’t partake in that activity then, thats a worse look for the community
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u/Bohdyboy May 25 '26
They aren't part of the community.
They make the community look bad. The community that we want is one that can be trusted by the public.
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u/iTzDusty May 25 '26
You absolutely need to call the Police when you see crap like this. You WANT these idiots to be caught shooting their SKSes with prohibited magazines because it isn't what they are shooting that's the issue, its HOW they are shooting and making others unsafe. Next thing you know its rounds going through active FSRs and people getting hit. Its moronic that PALs/RPALs were issued to them in the first place. Let them catch a prohib charge and at the bare minimum get their PAL revoked, or maintain the status quo of Crown Land getting shittier and shittier to shoot in.
If you saw a guy safely shooting his prohib GSG-16 or Stag-10, there really isn't an issue, no-one is getting hurt. If you saw a guy shooting his Stag-10 with no proper backstop near an active FSR, then you need to take action.
People get caught doing stupid things with firearms everyday, at most it makes the local Police's weekly Facebook post. Its not going to move the needle on the communities reputation. What will ruin the communities reputation is the non gun-owning public that are hiking or otherwise enjoying Crown Land seeing morons unsafely shoot out there.
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May 25 '26
now you guys finally understand why i get annoyed at all the irresponsible posts this community allows. probably at least half of the people on this platform should not have gun licenses.
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May 25 '26
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u/canadaguns-ModTeam May 25 '26
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u/Inevitable_Edge6857 May 25 '26
People are just generally awkward and weird in those situations. They probably knew what they were doing was wrong and was unsure about you. The right thing for them to do would be to actually talk to you first and be friendly.
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May 25 '26
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u/zporb May 25 '26
he quit literally explained why. It gives firearms owners a bad reputation and ammunition to politicians
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May 25 '26
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u/zporb May 25 '26
not sure. doesn't matter, big risk little reward
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u/Red_Shrinp556 May 25 '26
Does this raise no constitutional questions? How can the government unilaterally decide that you can no longer use/own a piece of property that you’re licensed to possess. Canada needs a 2A.
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u/CountryFine May 25 '26
It does raise constitutional questions, which is why the supreme court is hearing the case. But until that happens unfortunately the best practice is to abide by the “law” as much as it sucks.
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u/Parking_Media May 25 '26
If you want to be the guinea pig and risk your future for us buddy contact a lawyer first and understand what you're considering.
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u/SpaceVikings May 25 '26
Canada needs a 2A.
This is an answer to your first question. Canadians, currently, have no rights to property, firearms or otherwise. Elizabeth May used this fact as an 'um, achyually' moment that she thought was clever, but really just reveals the contempt they have for the commoners they rule over.
When they bring in the mass surveillance technology backdoors from C-22, or the future driver monitoring hardware that MADD is campaigning on (similar to the 2021 laws in the United States), it will be the same justification: you have no right to property so you will comply or forfeit. Or both, if that's the order.
One can see the trends and connect the dots, but you're labeled a conspiracy theorist for asking why the government is introducing the tools of oppression.
It's sad, really. The illusion of western society being based on the priciples of freedom is certainly fading.
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u/TarkovSundays May 25 '26
Big risk… lol. Unless you’re an idiot why would a cop be searching you? Don’t speed and don’t shoot in known crown land shooting spots. It’s ridiculous to not be doing something you’ve been safely doing all along.
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u/Apprehensive_Oil3598 May 25 '26
As a cop I havent seen a single one. Only law abiding gun owner I charged was someone who had just got their licence and was shooting with a lake as a back stop and campers at the other side.
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u/violent-trashpanda May 25 '26
Wouldn't have cared if they weren't pieces of shits ruining someone else's experience with no common courtesy of giving a heads up.
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u/FearlessDevil666 May 25 '26
I would care when an officer randomly shows and now I’m guilty by association just because I’m there while they are there.
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u/AdeptArt May 25 '26
Guilty by association is not how law works
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u/FearlessDevil666 May 25 '26
Guess you haven’t been out drinking with a friend, leave the bar for a house party with a few more people and some muppet waves a toy gun out the window on the drive eh! Guess what happens, cops show up and put you all in the back of a van wearing new bracelets.
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u/Technoaddict May 25 '26
Bruh that’s not how that works
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u/FearlessDevil666 May 25 '26
Dude that’s exactly how that works!
You have to explain and prove that you don’t own any of those firearms. You don’t know any of these people. You did not come with any of them.
But now you get to sit there till someone either believes you and your story, you have solid proof or you go for a ride in the back of a squad car.
You may be innocent but the officer doesn’t know that and won’t take the chance.
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u/HatchingCougar May 25 '26 edited May 25 '26
Well if you didn’t “partake” as in borrow it / take a turn shooting it:
If the officer can’t figure out who’s it is, <shrug> finger print it / send to lab for DNA samples then. Have at it.
Wouldn’t worry much about having to “prove” I don’t know them or didn’t come with. 1) it would be pretty easy for the cop to figure that out 2) and my own car is located at X spot and lastly… not a crime even if I did know them.
Personally id take issue the poor safety & lack of etiquette. While my own prohibs are stored & locked at least until the SCC rules.. I couldn’t care less if someone said eff the Liberals / Ottawa and wanted to shoot one of their prohibs (even a 12.2 or 12.3 for one last ride) They just need to do it safely & ideally with a bit of courtesy
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u/PrestigiousStatus711 May 25 '26
Wish more people shot their prohibs. It's about sending a message.
The behaviour of the group is a bigger issue.
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u/canadaguns-ModTeam May 25 '26
In accordance with the subreddit rules, your post/comment has been removed for the following reason:
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u/Quiet-Picture-7991 May 25 '26
If you like guns you need to leave Canada. It's like liking alcohol but choosing to live in Iran. Why set yourself up for failure?
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May 25 '26
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u/canadaguns-ModTeam May 25 '26
In accordance with the subreddit rules, your post/comment has been removed for the following reason:
[1] Disrespectful/Insulting or Hateful Comments Civility, courtesy, and politeness, is expected within this subreddit. A post or comment may be removed if it's considered in violation of Reddit's RULES, Reddiquette, and User Agreement.
Using negative generalizations on persons based upon their backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, or appearance is subject to comment removal and a possible ban from the subreddit. Keep comments directed at actions, not at individuals.
Racism, bigotry, intolerance, or otherwise extremist posts/comments/behaviour WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in this subreddit. Users doing so will be permanently banned from the subreddit.
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u/CanadianLanBoy May 25 '26
Don't shoot at "shooting spots". Find a clearing with a backstop that's accessable through abandoned logging roads and enjoy not being bothered