Hunting season is about to begin in the South Cariboo, and there are many requirements that hunters should be aware of, especially those who have guns.
Recently, the Forest Grove and District Rod and Gun Club, established back in 1935, has finished upgrading its shooting facilities.
According to Ross Bacon, the recently appointed president of the club, the club has done a wide range of upgrades to its facilities over the last several years. This includes fencing the back part of their property, posting active gun range signage in compliance with RCMP and federal gun club rules and regulations, adding elevated bleachers for spectators, upgrading their trap machine, target mounts for long guns and handguns, gravel areas and new bench rests for long chutes and handguns.
Bacon has thanked members like Fred Saenger, Ed Kelsey and previous president Marshall Gaudreault for the work.
"(Marshall has) helped our director changes - any grants that we've been approved for. He's helped set those into place - he's been a very, very good member of our club for many years," stated Bacon about the impact of Gaudreault's work for the Forest Grove and District Rod and Gun Club.
The upgrades were completed over the last five years to make the range more enjoyable and safer for the public.
"It's been a very nice upgrade, very attractive - and it has been well-thought out. It was a recommended requirement through the Gun Safety Act over the years," stated Bacon.
Marksmanship is a very important part of hunting, Bacon said, as when you're hunting you want to ideally get a clean kill. This minimizes suffering for the animal and allows the hunter to get a better harvest from their kill.
Daniel Lirette, who is the wildlife section head for the Ministry of Water, Lands and Natural Resources with the BC Government, said there is a diverse range of hunting opportunities that B.C. residents have access to.
"People may choose to pursue upland game birds or waterfowl with hunting dogs, hunt deer and moose in the fall - when they can be called in or get out earlier this year for spring blaster hunting," Lirette said.
All hunters require a valid hunting license, species licence and BC resident hunting license to go hunting, Lirette said, noting that First Nation hunters do not require a hunting or a species license. Those hunting with firearms also need a Federal Firearms License, also known as a Permit and Acquisition License (PAL).
A PAL is a primary firearms licence under Canadian law which is the only permissible document for a person to be able to acquire a firearm - and those holding it must be over the age of 18. In addition, there are some rules that hunters should be aware of when handling guns.
"The big one is loaded firearms in a vehicle - and so making sure that folks are unloading, and there are both tickets, but my understanding is that because it is a federal issue as well, there could be charges and you could end up with a court date if you're found to have a loaded firearm (in your vehicle)," Lirette noted.
An online RCMP guide on storing, transporting and displaying firearms states that all firearms, whether restricted or non-restricted, must be unloaded while being transported.
"You're prohibited from discharging firearms within 100 meters of a dwelling," Lirette said.
Lirette notes that these regulations and more are in the 2024-2026 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis, which he encourages every hunter to read.
Bacon agrees safety is the main concern when using firearms, which is why he is glad the club has been able to make its upgrades to the range.
"This range has been in function for many years, from the 1970s onward, and if not earlier," Bacon said. "We've never had an incident. We want to keep it that way."
