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Use of Club Facilities During COVID-19 Pandemic

By on November 23, 2020 in Special Notice
  •  Members must produce their membership card and sign in, providing their name and phone number
  • The Club is now open to non-members again. Please be advised that you will need to check in with our range officers when you get to the facility and provide your name and contact information so that we can remain COVID compliant with our friends from Work Safe BC. The Range Officer will ask to see your picture ID and it will be recorded into our visitor log and normal drop in fees ($20 per day) are in effect. During your visit, please consider joining the Nanaimo Fish & Game Club!
  • The Rifle Range and PPC range (#3) will be closed for rentals between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday starting on April 19th and running to May 6th . All of the other handgun ranges will still be open.
  • The club phone number is 250-754-2846
  • Effective May 1st the the summer hours for the rifle and handgun ranges are as follows:
    • Open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 9am to 8pm – last shot 15 minutes before closing
    • Open Tuesday through Friday noon to 8pm – last shot 15 minutes before closing

JOIN THE CLUB

  • The Rifle and Handgun are open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week
  • Trap & Skeet are Skeet are open for their regularly schedule practices on Sundays & Wednesdays until 2pm
    Outdoor Archery is open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week except during special events and when Trap or Skeet are shooting. Indoor archery is closed until further notice.

The club is only able to remain open by the efforts of our members who volunteer as Range Officers who monitor attendance and ensure we comply to the guidelines. If it wasn’t for them none of us would be shooting and you need to thank them every time you attend and follow their instructions. If you don’t like the conditions required to attend and use the club facilities do not attend, but if you do attend always be courteous to the Range Officers – they did not make these rules. If you are interested in becoming a Range Officer  please contact Rob Clarke.

  • No spectators are allowed.
  • Staff and members must wear face masks in the designated covered ranges (i.e. PPC, and Rifle ranges)and the Range Officer building where they may come in contact with people outside their bubble.
  • All club buildings are not open or available until further notice.
  • There will be no membership meetings until further notice.
  • There will be no Turkey Shoot this year.
  • There will be no events held until further notice.
  • The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will not be held in January this year. Because of COVID regulations regarding AGM dates has been relaxed to allow having the meeting much later as required. We will let everyone know when we are able to hold the meeting.
  • The annual Banquet/Fundraiser normally held in February will not be held in 2021.

At this point in time, due to the unique circumstances of the size of our property and the number of ranges we have, we are able to keep our facilities open with a few restrictions:

  • Members are required to maintain two meter physical distancing at all times;
  • Handgun Bays shall each be limited to no more than 6 people, or direct family members. Non-family member groups are expected to maintain physical distancing; you need to consider your social ‘bubble’, and keep it small.
  • Skeet shall  be limited to groups of 5 people, plus staff, or family members and you must maintain social distancing while shooting at the posts.
  • The use of the Trap fields shall be limited to 5 shooters, plus the staff. Shooters must be separated by the distance between the stations, and the staff is to maintain a two meter distance from the shooters at all times;
  • In the case of the Rifle range, every second firing position has been closed. In addition, people should avoid any collective gathering of individuals at a firing point, other than the persons in your immediate group. ‘Groups’ are limited to 6 people maximum. Again, physical distancing should be practiced if you are not family members;
  • The outdoor Archery range shall be limited to 5 shooters and will be open except on Wednesdays and Sundays when Trap & Skeet are shooting.
  • Guests of members (i.e. those without a PAL) need to be safely supervised. Family members can accompany members and be instructed on the range, but instruction and introduction of shooting to a new shooter (not directly related to the member) is not permitted due to the distancing requirements. People who are not family members, who drive to the range in separate cars, are required to comply with the physical distancing requirement.

All members are encouraged to follow “the basics” including:

  • Staying off  NANAIMO FISH & GAME property if you, or anyone you know, are at risk, or have any symptoms of cough, cold, flu, or any of the symptoms of COVID-19;
  • We have hand sanitizer on the ranges but you will need to bring your own mask.
  • Maintaining good hand hygiene;
  • Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
  • Practicing respiratory etiquette (such as coughing into your sleeve); and
  • Keeping appropriate physical distance.

We should remain aware that this is a very fluid situation and our plan may change as required. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and respond as required. We thank all Vancouver Islanders for their effort to date, and encourage everyone to continue the fight until this Virus is beaten.

COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN

 

2020 B.C. Wildlife Federation Annual Report

By on April 13, 2021 in BCWF

Re: 2020 B.C. Wildlife Federation Annual Report

The B.C.Wildlife Federation is pleased to present the 2020 Annual Report
 Please register to join us at the 65th Annual General Meeting, Saturday, April 24 and Sunday April 25, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PST, to learn more and participate in charting the course for BCWF’s future. The agenda includes electing new board members that will lead the organization for the next year and voting on important resolutions that will frame key activities and priorities for the Federation. 

If you are having any issues registering for the AGM or would like support, please contact communications@bcwf.bc.ca. You will need your BCWF member number to register. If you need any assistance accessing your member number, please call the BCWF office at 1-888-881-2293.

Bill 4 creates onerous record keeping for range users at Fish & Game clubs

By on April 13, 2021 in News

During the past few month Bill 4 – 2021 the ‘Firearm Violence Prevention Act’ has been quietly working its way through the system and on March 22, 2021  received third and final reading. This act was largely based on the Illegal Firearms Task Force Final Report (A report to the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia September 30, 2017) that all clubs were invited to make submissions on. Clearly no one listened to the clubs submissions.

This act will have a large impact on the way clubs do business. Range users and how they sign in will also be greatly impacted. Part 4- Shooting ranges is the primary reason for these changes. It appears to be based on an assumption by the framers of the bill that ‘gang bangers’, drug traffickers and other criminals are using the ranges at Fish & Game clubs to practice with their firearms. This is a ridiculous assumption but once the NDP obtained a majority government the passage of the bill was a forgone conclusion. It is based on their anti-firearms agenda and not any proven facts.

PLEASE READ THIS – IT IS GOING TO AFFECT ALL OF US A GREAT DEAL. Continue Reading →

Court rules 2 B.C. lakes cannot be publicly accessed, siding with Canada’s largest cattle ranch.

By on March 6, 2021 in Access

The largest working cattle ranch in Canada has won its fight against public access to two pristine fishing lakes in B.C.’s Nicola Valley, after appeal court judges overturned part of a previous ruling that said the lakes should be accessible to the public.
The Douglas Lake Cattle Company (DCLC) had been battling the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club over access to the two trout lakes near Merritt, B.C., for years. The David and Goliath fight came close to resolution in 2018 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled Minnie Lake and Stoney Lake should be publicly accessible.
The owner of the ranch, American billionaire Stan Kronke, won his part of his appeal challenging that decision on Friday.
The B.C. Court of Appeal found the lower court erred in 2018 because portions of trails and road leading to the lakes are not public and don’t quite reach the shorelines of either lake.
So, even though the water in the lakes is public, there is no way to get there without trespassing on private property which has the potential to impact access public lakes across the province

Summary of appeal judgement:

The [2018] trial judgment gave the public access to two lakes on the appellant, DLCC’s property. DLCC challenges the judge’s determination that a road and a trail on the property were excepted from an 1895 Crown grant and that there is public access to both lakes. Held: Appeal allowed in part. The road in question was excepted from the Crown grant; however, because the trail was not excepted from the Crown grant and the elements of common law dedication are not met, the trail is not a public way. The trial judge erred in determining the natural boundary of one lake by failing to address the applicable statutory criteria. The public road at issue does not reach the natural boundary of either lake, as defined by survey. The Trespass Act permits DLCC to prohibit the public from crossing its property, including its land under water. The lakes in question are not navigable and no case for access to the shoreline as a right appurtenant to the right to navigate is made out. A public interest costs order against DLCC and the respondent Province was also set aside, with each party ordered to bear their own costs at trial.

Read the Court of Appeals decision

BC Wild Sheep Society calls for help to fight the social media campaign to ban hunting.

By on February 26, 2021 in Big Game Committee

Once again social pressures are being used to try to pull the regulations lever to close regulated hunting in British Columbia.
The Wild Sheep Society of B.C is against this latest attempt to ban hunting of ‘large carnivores’ in our Province.
Thinly veiled under the guise of conservation, a concerted attack is now in place against ‘large carnivores’- specifically named are black bears, cougars, wolves and elk as they are mentioned as ‘trophy hunted only’.

Wild Sheep Society – Will you help

Watch the Video

 

Issues in the New Bill C-21

By on February 16, 2021 in Firearms

Tuesday February 16, 2:34pm

Here are some preliminary points that we have under review, all of which are subject to ongoing consideration as we compare them to existing legislation and other provisions of the proposed Bill C-21.
Let’s start out by stating the obvious:
  • None of this is going to reduce crime.
  • None of this is going to increase public safety.
  • All this is, is electioneering and vote buying through exploiting irrational fear.
None of it will work, other than to hurt us.

Continue Reading →

CCFR Injunction re Firearms Ban– History in the books

By on January 19, 2021 in Firearms

The CCFR has filed an injunction (court file number T-577-20) application with the federal court to “stay” the May 1 OIC gun ban until the main case can be heard and decided by the judge. CCFR v Canada. Notice of Motion – Injunction (00047724xD5450) (1) In addition to the CCFR.
We are in strange times. During any other time we would have seen a courtroom packed solid with interested parties. Instead, we took part in “zoom court”, perhaps a small blessing because we were well over capacity with 1000- 1300 viewers at any one time. We would never have fit the 2300 registrants who wanted to attend, into a courtroom. Preparations are already underway to accommodate far more attendees for future hearings as the case progresses.Associate Chief Justice Jocelyne Gagne confirmed that the CCFR v Canada injunction hearing is the highest attended judicial process in the history of the Federal Court, and that’s without letting everyone in. This shows the monumental importance of this case for Canadians. Continue Reading →

Nanaimo Fish & Game Club Big Game awards.

By on December 15, 2020 in Big Game Committee

Now that the big game hunting seasons have mostly wrapped up, it’s a good time to outline the many annual Big Game Awards that our Club offers.  Permanent trophies – that you may have noticed on the Club’s fireplace mantle – are awarded each year at the club’s AGM for these competitions that recognize animals taken during the previous calendar year.  It looks like we won’t be able to hold a live AGM this year, but the Awards Competition will still take place. 

All you need to enter is to be is a member in good standing and follow the guidelines for entry as noted here.

 JOHN BARSBY MEMORIAL TROPHY: This award is provided to the heaviest Vancouver Island deer taken during the previous season.  In order to qualify, the deer must be officially weighed at either the Club Caretaker’s house (between 9 am and 5 pm any day of the week where Caretaker John or the Range Officer will witness the weigh-in – 250.754.2846), or at my house (call first: Kim – 250.802.9471).  Weights obtained at the Nanaimo Lakes or River Camp game check do not qualify for entry.  Edible internal organs (heart, liver and kidney) can remain inside the carcass.

OUTSTANDING BIG GAME AWARD:  Any big game species taken in BC is eligible in this competition.  The animal must be officially scored by any Boone and Crockett or Wildlife Records Club of BC scorer.  In Nanaimo, scorers include me, Charles Veasey (250.758.2555) and Byron Mason (250.390.2846).  The award winner is determined by whichever score is the highest percent of minimum required for entry by the Wildlife Records Club of BC.  This allows different species to fairly compete with one another.

ARCHERY AWARD: Any big game species taken with archery (including crossbows) in BC is eligible in this competition.  As above, the animal must be officially scored by any Boone and Crockett or Wildlife Records Club of BC scorer.

JUNIOR BIG GAME AWARD:  This award is available to any Junior Club member.  A Junior Hunter – which is defined the same as a ‘Youth’ in the BC Hunting Regulations – is any hunter who is 17 years of age or younger on the date the animal was taken. As with the Outstanding Big Game Award, this competition is for any big game animal taken in B.C. which must be officially scored and judged according to percent of minimum entry score for the species.

OCCIDENTAL HOTEL NANAIMO & DISTRICT F&G MEMBERS ANNUAL ANTLER CONTEST:  This competition is for the largest scoring antlers of a Vancouver Island deer taken by a Club member.  As above, the animal must be officially scored to qualify for entry.

FREAK HORNS/ANTLERS AWARD:  Although rarely awarded due to lack of entries, this award is given to the ‘oddest’ horns or antlers taken by a Club member.  The winning entry is decided by the Club’s Executive.

Please contact me if you believe you have – or know of – an animal that qualifies for entry into the competition.

Kim Brunt, Big Game Committee Chairman
Phone 250-802-9471

Email Kim Brunt