newbie looking for target ranges around the GTA

Willowbeard · Post by **Willowbeard** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:29 pm

I just purchased my first crossbow (phoenix) and since its off season i would like to get this time to practice comfortably and efficiently using my crossbow. does anyone know or utilize any archery ranges around the GTA...feedback would be much appreciated.

A.W · Post by **A.W** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:26 am

Keep an eye on the forum there should be some 3D shoots coming up.

There's no ranges in the GTA that I know of.

There's a 3D range at the wolfsden west of the 400 south of Barrie.

http://www.wolfsdensports.com/club.html

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 10:17 am

Colby Shooting Club at Shooters Choice in Waterloo has an indoor archery range. I think you can still pay buy the hour there.

http://www.shooterschoice.com/ColbyClub ... bStart.htm

I shoot at Elmira Rod and Gun. Very nice archery facilities. Up to 40 yard target range as well as a walk through 3D range set up in the bush. Lots of archery events there too.

http://www.elmirarodandgun.org/index.htm

schnarrfuss · Post by **schnarrfuss** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:54 pm

Thanks for the links TPM. I use to be a member at both clubs and am thinking of re-joining the Elmira Rod and Gun Club. It sounds like they are doing lot's of improvements the last couple years.

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:26 pm

Ya, things have changed a lot in the last few years. The rifle ranges have been upgraded with higher back berms and complete side berms. There is also a berm dividing the 100yd and 200yd ranges now. We also have baffles set up on both ranges so there is no way a bullet can leave the range.
A couple of years ago we were approached by a local archery club about amalgamating with them. I think their lease was up and not being renewed. They became part of our club and have blended in very well. We now have a nice target range as well as 3D in the bush between the road and the parking lot. You actually walk the lane way to access the trails to the different targets. They also host a lot of archery events on the club property now.
Stop by some time and check it out again!

Stash · Post by **Stash** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:09 pm

Archery range open to the public in Seton Park, just south of the Ontario Science Center (Don Mills Rd, south of Eglinton).

This is a fenced off piece of parkland with about 10 butts at various distances. No supervision. Follow posted rules.

Don't know the current status of the targets - they always get pretty shot up over the year and the Parks department tends to repair them in late April or early May. You can always bring your own portable target.

York County Bowmen near Aurora permits crossbows on their outdoor ranges. Archers of Caledon permits them on the 3D course only.

A.W · Post by **A.W** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:44 am

Stash wrote:Archery range open to the public in Seton Park, just south of the Ontario Science Center (Don Mills Rd, south of Eglinton).

This is a fenced off piece of parkland with about 10 butts at various distances. No supervision. Follow posted rules.

I don't think they allow crossbows there.

Stash · Post by **Stash** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 9:13 am

I haven't shot there in several years, so I can't definitively say if crossbows aren't permitted now, but I did spend many years of my early archery career there, saw lots of crossbows and never saw any posted regulations disallowing them.

There were, however, a few vertical bow shooters who seemed to have a bug against crossbows and they would often complain, and threaten to call the Parks department, but I don't know of anyone who did do that, or ever saw anyone with a crossbow get asked to leave by any officals or police.

Wouldn't be hard to find out - just call the Toronto Parks Department and ask. I'd do it myself, but I don't shoot there any more and frankly, don't really care.

Newspaper article:
http://www.thestar.com/article/191539

Parks General Enquiry 416-392-1111

jay73 · Post by **jay73** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 5:41 pm

Welcome Willowbeard.

I used to do some shooting(crossbow) at the Science Center as well. This was going back about 6-7 years. As A.W. has stated, I have also heard that crossbows were no longer welcome there.

Don't know how much truth to that there is though.

Congrats on the Phoenix again bud. Go get that hunting licence and I'll see you in November.

Jay

P.S. Feel free to pop over for some shooting at my place anytime man.

hikerman · Post by **hikerman** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 8:35 pm

Dufferin Northern Peel Anglers' and Hunters' Association has but targets and a nice 3-D range in the bush about 40 targets.

araz2114 · Post by **araz2114** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:40 pm

Willowbeard.... check out the OAA website and download a shoot schedule. They have most of the clubs in Ontario listed and maps along with contacts.

www.oaa-archery.on.ca

Check it out there may be places and shoots closer than you think.

araz2114

Rage_A_Holic · Post by **Rage_A_Holic** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:09 pm

Stash wrote:I haven't shot there in several years, so I can't definitively say if crossbows aren't permitted now, but I did spend many years of my early archery career there, saw lots of crossbows and never saw any posted regulations disallowing them.

There were, however, a few vertical bow shooters who seemed to have a bug against crossbows and they would often complain, and threaten to call the Parks department, but I don't know of anyone who did do that, or ever saw anyone with a crossbow get asked to leave by any officals or police.

Wouldn't be hard to find out - just call the Toronto Parks Department and ask. I'd do it myself, but I don't shoot there any more and frankly, don't really care.

Newspaper article:
http://www.thestar.com/article/191539

Parks General Enquiry 416-392-1111

After sitting on hold for practically 31 days... I have confirmed that crossbows are no longer welcome. I will be heading up to the Wolves Den on Saturday.