Thread: Urgent Message For All Lake Lyndon Target Shooters

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Yeah that was the only one I knew of but it was closed down when I last enquired

https://www.facebook.com/AshburtonRifle/

Originally Posted by PerazziSC3

Yeah that was the only one I knew of but it was closed down when I last enquired

https://www.facebook.com/MalvernRifleClub/

The Lake Lyndon issue has been brewing for quite some time. And it doesn't help that some 4WDer's, some bike riders, and some shooters give all of us a bad name. Unfortunately your hunting permit is for hunting, target practice etc is not covered in the legislation for hunting permits, so yes DoC are within their rights to stop you target shooting.......unfortunately. DoC has had discussions with the ChCh NZDA and both were in agreement that it was unacceptable. Why the hell both of them didn't put their heads together and agree there is a need, and create an area, I dont know. I see it as yet another opportunity for DoC to further their anti hunting agenda. As for ChCh NZDA, they need to push for a designated long range area for everybody, it is definitely needed in the area.

I spent 3 weeks in Colorado last year, and went to the local range on a couple of occasions. The local council, Fish and Wildlife, Safari Club, and several local shooting groups identified a need for an area where people could sight in their firearms, have a play, etc. They got together and utilised a piece of public land and built a 100 metre rifle range with 4 or 5 concrete benches, a pistol range with target frames from 15-100 metres, and a clay bird range with 4 clay bird throwers. It allows people to sight in their firearms in a semi controlled environment with proper targets etc and keeps most of them from driving down the river bed, or on to public land to do it. It is self policing, the rubbish was cleaned up. There are a group of older guys that volunteer to turn up on occasions to provide guidance and renew the targets etc. I never saw it abused, and there was over 40 people turned up to use it in the few hours I was there. Toilets were on sight. Paper targets were free, staple guns were provided. All they asked was a donation for the upkeep, and I saw probably 20 people put 20-30 bucks each for their group in the honesty box.

Yes, I know it wasn't long range. But the point is the local community identified a need to make it safer for everybody, and worked together to satisfy that need. A lot of us dont want to go to the local full bore range, the perception is they are a bunch of old cronies, and you are limited to certain days, and they dont like your rifle cos its black, or its a semi, or its a 223, or you want to shoot steel etc. But a lot of us just like a few hours out plinking, maybe steel, maybe at long range.

If DoC are hell bent on fencing off an area so we cant go there, then theres no buy in from whatever group you belong to, be it 4WD, or bike, or shooting, and the fences will eventually get trashed anyways. And there is no legislation to allow DoC to stop you taking a vehicle on public land, except in a National Park, so long as you dont cause wilful damage. They restrict you from public land simply by bluff.

There are millions of hectares of public land out there, nearly all of it % wise that is unavailable to 4WD's or motorbikes or shooters simply because of topography. Is it not ok to ask that a tiny bit of it, maybe 500-1000 hectares close to a big urban area is set aside so that shooters can shoot safely, fenced off, signposted? And I'd bet you would find that it would be self policing. Trampers can tramp bloody near anywhere, let them miss out on a small piece of our land just so we can all work together safely.

It needs DoC to take some initiative to get the ball rolling, it needs the likes of the DA and Safari Club and any other interested group to all come together. And it needs to be utilised by responsible people so that we can keep out the bad bastards - is it too much to ask?

Ive got a bit of a boot in all camps here. I have used the lake lyndon area a few times to sight in a rifle, am a hunter (well used to be) and also a member of a rifle club that shoots out to fairly long range. I have always felt more afraid of getting shot by a hunter than someone sighting in their rifle, which is why I usually hunted outside the roar in areas unlikely to have many hunters and prefered to hunt in winter when there are less hunters around. There are a lot of stories of hunters getting shot by their hunting mate, I dont remember anyone ever getting shot by someone sighting in their rifle (please correct me if I am wrong).

You really need to have sighted your rifle in before shooting at some of the long range clubs, the shortest distance they shoot is often 300 yards, so it can be a bit difficult finding your target at that range.

Originally Posted by Husky1600

As for ChCh NZDA, they need to push for a designated long range area for everybody, it is definitely needed in the area

Maybe you should pop along to the next meeting, join, and point this out to them? Or do you expect to sit back and let organisations that you don’t belong to provide facilities for you? Any club is only as good as its members, and if everyone whinging about needing a range got themselves organised, joined an organisation, you could get somewhere... some of these guys sound like boy racers - “we should have things laid on for us, because we’re special...”

Lets be realistic about the area....
1 - Its not a designated range, its public DoC controlled land in an area that is highly utilised for many recreational activities
2 - Its open to anyone and as such people tend to go anywhere/everywhere
3 - It's been trashed and abused by fuckwits for a very long time
4 - it does't put hunters in a very good light when non hunters go up there and see the damage and rubbish everywhere
5 - its fucking dangerous as hell
6 - just because its a public area of land doesn't mean you can do what you want there

Basically if you want some LR target shooting practice, join a club and use their ranges. Learn to hit the targets correctly concentrating on good groupings. Learn to dial and/or hold over at the distances at the club ranges so when/if you decide to do a LR target comp or whatever, you can shoot with confidence.

DON'T GO OUT AND BOMB UP A VERY ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC AREA!

Yes, a purpose built area would be ideal, but when has any govt dept/agency done anything like that for anyone here? Unless is paid for by the private user or commercial entity it won't happen.

7x64, agreed, however I am already an NZDA member of another branch. I dont expect to sit back, but at some point somebody or some organisation with a bit of clout has to take a stand and start the ball rolling, not just for the good of the DA, but for the good of the whole shooting/firearms community. I dont have the answers, and unfortunately I dont have the opportunity to take this further as there are one or 2 other more pressing issues for me right now. But I will put my name in the hat and say that if DoC and the hunting/shooting fraternity can come to some agreement for a designated area, I'm prepared to provide the labour to fence it free of charge, if somebody can provide a tractor and post driver.

Its almost funny as this is almost exactly as the Christchurch boy racers about ten years ago.(to be honest the problem cases are probably the same ones) people enjoyed getting out for years then some burnout muppets ruined it for everyone and got all car parks locked off because of the horrendous rubbish and public intimidation. then they all had a cry cause they wanted a burnout pad put somewhere for them so they could all be antisocial out of the way... lol. as soon as an area is put aside someone will go out and trash it. Best bet is to find somewhere, DONT post it on facebook and be careful who you take there.

and as far as i understand a doc permit is a permit to carry/discharge a rifle on public land for the purpose of hunting.

^That's one of those questions I have never wanted to ask. I'm sure they would clarify it as hunting only and it would be all over for recreational shooting on public land. We need to be real careful what we ask for. They haven't told us we can't do it yet.

Edit to add, the PCL I use for hunting and recreational shooting, I barely ever see another soul, let alone anybody from DOC. Obviously the situation there is a bit different.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm glad some meaty discussion has arisen. I hope to be in touch with DoC on some safe and practical ideas for the vast plinking community who want to shoot at long distances. Sounds like an allegated area for gongs only is the get go. Some further input or other personal ideas will be appreciated.

In a responsible manner yes. Tearing up virgin ground and throwing your 8% woodys cans everywhere isnt responsible 4wding and neither is bombing up a hill in a well used recreational area responsible shooting

I think that all councils should provide a shooting range for the general public to use just as they do for other sports like tennis rugby etc. The shooting community is one of the largest sporting groups in the country and should use their numbers to generate support. Nice to dream.

@CBrom97 was the ranger a DOC employee or ECAN? And did he show you some ID/warrant card when asking for your permits?

A friend said he went up to Lyndon last year & there was a bunch of camoed up guys running around with shotguns blasting up stuff FFS
and people using tracer ammo on public land should have there FAL revoked for being fuckwits.

It’s a pity doc couldn’t fence a bit off there for shooters as with a bit of common sense it’s a safe spot for a bit of LR practice.

The hunting permit is pretty clear, it's for hunting.

Yes, I've shot targets/gongs up there and also hunted in the area. Last trip up there I brought back half a ute fill of other people rubbish and targets and paid to depose of it at the transfer station. Often fine shot gun shells, rimfire and other stuff that has no place being used on DoC land.

As for comments regarding "no place to shoot", joining a club like the NZDA and NZHA might be a good start to get some range access. The other options are target shooting clubs like at Ashburton (same distance as Lyndon) and Melvern rife club. Yes, you can shoot you hunting rifle at these clubs.

I don't have any skin in the game on this but WRT use of firearms on DOC land, I had a brief look on their website and:



Standard conditions
Standard conditions apply to all areas.

3. Hunters using a firearm must abide by the NZ Police Arms Code and the Arms Act 1983.

Permit conditions: Permits and licences