Airsoft? Now where did I leave my real steel?

After talking with a couple players from NIA, ASK, and ASC as well as having a few arguements with some on ASC about real steel firearms I'm just wondering how many people here own and use firearms on a regular basis.

This sort of comes about after a kid on ASC arguing with me about real steel weapons and finally after two days he admits he's never even fired a real firearm and was only going off what he's seen on the movies.

I've been an avid hunter since I was small. I learned to shoot before riding a bike by one of the best shots I've met to date, my grandfather. I've competed in long range competitions through highschool. I was also in Army Cadets for years in Kamloops and learned to use weapons through them as well.

I know Aedomon is an avid hunter as well and hopefully we'll be heading out this year or maybe the next depending on how my schooling goes. In the past with paintball players and even a few airsofters I've taken them out and taught them how to use and handle real firearms and then took them out target shooting, starting from .22s, to 12 gauges, to 7mm Rem Magnum.

I might plan another one if I can get enough people interested and come down to Quesnel this fall. I might even break out the .308 Norma Magnum as well and let some of you bust your shoulders lol!

:lol!:

I used to hunt quite a bit. Mostly I just stick to plinking with my SKS and my .22, but I do occasionally still hunt grouse. My wife wants me to shoot a moose this fall so I guess I'll have to go sight in the cannon. If we have a real steel day I'll drag it out, it's a .338 magnum... a real shoulder buster.

I would love to pick up a PAL, both my parents came from Northern Canada and had a few nice rifles for the ol' polars and grizzlies. Recently, I have been considering a replacement for the bush dog with a shotty (my dog died a while back and hiking has gotten sketchy without any form of alarm or protection). My Grandfather also left a decent shotgun for me at which time I acquire a PAL (they do not have the possession license anymore do they, just PAL?).

A fine member here recently brought us out for an orientation and shoot to accustom some of us with the variety of firearms available. It was most appreciated.

Unfortunately at this time, due to living in camp, I do not feel that I would have a safe place to store or access any firearms except in Terrace. I did see a PAL training bus by Walmart in Fort McMurrey but I passed on it... Does anyone know of any reliable and skilled PAL courses/instructors in PG that have a decent course that runs on weekends, it would be most appreciated.

-Doug

The PAL now is what is needed to own, purchase firearms, and purchase ammo for said firearms although you won't need it to come shooting.

=Daes= wrote:

My Grandfather also left a decent shotgun for me at which time I acquire a PAL (they do not have the possession license anymore do they, just PAL?).

This is correct. The POL, as it was called, was only available for a short time. In regards to the PAL course, it is a standardized course, but you are able to challenge the exam. Its mainly common sense on how to handle a firearm, store the firearm, and a few regulations regarding said firearms.

Drache wrote:

I know Aedomon is an avid hunter as well

You said it, Drache. Not only that, I've shot in numerous competitions against some of the best shots in the area. From long distance with high calibre, to black powder, sidearms, smaller rifles, and all the way around to various shotgun events. I suppose if we have a real steel day I can bring out a couple of my girls.

And Smith, your in some of the best moose hunting grounds in the area. Have some fun while your at it.

Aedomon wrote:

And Smith, your in some of the best moose hunting grounds in the area. Have some fun while your at it.

Yep, tons of moose up here. One morning, while coming home from work, I passed 14 of them in the 20 minute drive from HH to Moberly.

Unfortunately the only one I've got so far was with my Explorer on my way back through the Pine Pass.

twsmith wrote:

Unfortunately the only one I've got so far was with my Explorer on my way back through the Pine Pass.

Cheater!

-=MIA=-Soul wrote:

On the topic of the PAL i don't know of any in BC but every sunday in edmonton there is a course at Wild West Shooting Center in West ed Mall. It is almost a gimme course and you get both restricted and non restricted.
This is the easy way to go, and it only takes about 4 hours.

O.o

4 hours for both? That would make a worthwhile trip on a time off to do that... Any idea on the the price (having been there before, they certainly have the tools there to teach it but they are a bit $$$)?

-Doug

I would be a little scared with only a 4 hour course to get a PAL both restricted and non restricted. From what I understand it's the same PAL across country. Depending on the cost I'd be willing to head over there for a day. Hey, maybe a road trip is in order!

Roy Lemke also does the PAL here in Prince George. His Phone number is 564-3227 and he is very good.
It is a whole weekend for the course though but you will understand everything you are tested on.
Just make sure to contact him soon as he usually runs a course in the summer but during hunting season he is quite busy

cheers,
Brad

I'm planning on getting the newest books and just challenging the test along with my father and step mother.

That's what I did. I wrote both tests in about 30 minutes (total) and aced them. Then the practical was another 30 minutes of so.

They're really very simple and no-brainers if you read the books and understand their train of thought.

Guys just so you Know My Father does the chalenges for the PAL and restricted. He used to do them out of Northland Sports but now does it out of the home due to them closing. If you wish to chalenge the PAL feel Free to give my dad a call at 1-(250) 967-4456 or 1-(250) 967-4113 and Ask For Don. We live off of Cheif Lk. Rd. Prince George. I sudgest you read through the book first. It's available at the College Book store. And before anyone calls and asks My Dad does NOT do the full corse just the challenges.

Quote :

I've taken them out and taught them how to use and handle real firearms and then took them out target shooting, starting from .22s, to 12 gauges, to 7mm Rem Magnum.

how could you do that if you don't have a PAL ? That's a nice collection but even if there's an amnesty it's on registartion not PAL...

My FAC expired before there was such things as a PAL and I just haven't gotten it renewed. My father is holding on my firearms at his place but of course his FAC expired along with mine. Needless to say we haven't been hunting in a couple years.

And you do not need a PAL to hunt, only an CORE certificate.

you'll still need the PAL (or a grandfathered POL) to simply possess a firearm. Fortunately there is a licence amnesty til May 17 '08. After that a form of Firearm Licence is madatory:
http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/factsheets/owner_e.asp
I also obtained my firearms via an FAC (before courses and tests, so it could not roll-over into a PAL). Now I have a POL that I will keep grandfathering until I decide to buy another firearm.

There is a loophole stating that you ONLY need a CORE certificate to hunt, not a PAL. A friend of my father's was stopped last year and the Conservation Officer said all they want is a CORE, the PAL is up to RCMP officers.

The POL is a Possesion Only License, mean if you inherited guns or such you would have gotten one of these that allowed you to own the guns but never use them until you got a CORE.

The FAC, later PAL, was used to buy firearms. The new PAL is needed to OWN firearms since the stupid gun registry program came out.

I'm fairly certain at least one person in a vehicle must have a PAL if firearms are present. The firearms do not need to be registered to the PAL-holder who is present (except for restricted firearms with valid ATT).

The only exception to this is subsistance hunting for Natives on reserves, and only with prior authorization.

If you hunt with a firearm and do not have a PAL-holder present with you, you are breaking the law (susbsistance hunting excepted as noted above).

When my FAC expired in 1994, I didn't bother to register my guns or get my PAL until just before the old amnesty ran out in 2003. I had always held out hope that the Registry would be dealt a quick death and none of that would be necessary. This last amnesty period will be the last. The CPC has no intention of extending it in their party platform nor will they get the support of other parties to do so. Take your courses/get you licenses and register, or take your chances. In the future, enforcement will be "by the book" and much tougher as the RCMP now has control of the CFC and you'll see the law interpreted much more strictly.

We've already seen it with ATTs and restricted transfers, as well as gun club definitions.

Like I said in my before post, that was how the law USED to be before the gun registry and the new PAL. Before the PAL, you didn't need an FAC to hunt, just a CORE. When the FAC was changed into the PAL, so where the rules and the loophole officially slammed shut EXCEPT the Conservation Officers don't enforce the PAL issue, only the CORE issue, PAL is looked over by the RCMP.

The question that was asked to me was how I had taught people without me having a PAL right now. I had simply answered that I had an FAC at the time and that at the time I taught, only a CORE was needed to shoot/sight in during hunting season.

That has officially changed which is the reason I need to challenge the PAL test.

Gryph wrote:

Guys just so you Know My Father does the chalenges for the PAL and restricted. He used to do them out of Northland Sports but now does it out of the home due to them closing. If you wish to chalenge the PAL feel Free to give my dad a call at 1-(250) 967-4456 or 1-(250) 967-4113 and Ask For Don. We live off of Cheif Lk. Rd. Prince George. I sudgest you read through the book first. It's available at the College Book store. And before anyone calls and asks My Dad does NOT do the full corse just the challenges.

Thanks Gryph,

if I do not swing by Edmonton for some fun in Sept, I will try to come through PG instead. It is nice to have someone local to be doing it.

Any thoughts on organizing a quasi "club" event and having people who do not have their PAL to get together and get one? Gryph, any chances of getting a group rate?

-Doug