Firing gun within campgrounds

[ErichFromm]

I just got back from a few nights up above the snow line near mount Buller (stupid me didn't think to take snow chains and narrowly missed being a news story).

On the way back I stopped in Sheepyard flats to dry out some of my things. The place was pretty much deserted, but at one point I heard a loud bang and realised someone had fired a gun very much nearby. Being a father the safety implications of this bothered me so I walked out in the direction of the shot and when a 4x4 came by questioned them about it. It was a guy with his son, a camo painted rifle in the seat beside him. The guy said "don't worry about it mate" but I wasn't particularly convinced and noted his rego as he drove off.

Question is - is it legal to discharge a firearm within a designated camp ground? I'm aware that hunting is legal in the national park, but surely this ends as soon as you enter the campsite? The risk to unexpected campers seems fairly obvious, even though it is off season. I did a quick google search and can't see any guidelines. Is it legal to fire a gun within a campsite and if not is there any point notifying authorities? Nothing against hunters (I eat meat so have no claim to complain), but at the same time am aware of how dangerous discharging firearms can be. Given the short gap between the shot and the 4x4 turning up I'm assuming the guy was taking shots through his window....

[Lindsay]

Even if not illegal, and I suspect it is illegal to discharge a firearm withing a campground, it shows a reckless stupidity and disregard for public safety. Worth a report to the coppers to see what they think.

[MickyB]

Worth a report to the coppers to see what they think.

+1 They will be able to tell you if it's illegal or not. Worst case scenario is you waste a phone call.

[Moondog55]

Well it doesn't sound to me as if the actual discharge was with-in the campground itself but close by.
It is illegal to discharge from or across a road tho but I have in the past potted a bunny or two like that but never with a CF
Too loud inside the cabin and because of that I doubt they were doing so either

[ErichFromm]

No. If you've ever been to Sheepyard flats you know it's quite extensive, from it to Pickering Flat, etc etc. And only one road. If it was outside that area the 4x4 wouldn't have appeared as quickly as it did. I was only guessing about the shooting from the car, but I think it's a pretty good guess. I'll call the cops tomorrow. Doubt they'll do anything but worth the effort....

[Travis22]

There was a proposal for some firearm free campsites within the ANP but as it stands an appropriately licensed person can legally hunt Sambar deer within the ANP by stalking only.

I certainly doesnt sound like this person was deer stalking when he discharged his firearm.

There is a minimum calibre required for deer stalking so the other potential thing he may have done wrong is using a firearm other then that prescribed for deer stalking sambar deer. (You cannot have a shotgun or smaller caliber firearm in the ANP).

If it was a god almighty loud bang then id say they could have discharged a firearm they might have been using while deer stalking, and he might have done so after potentially knocking the scope etc. while stalking and wanted to check its zero before going home. Not the smartest idea or place to do so and im just speculating anyways... I hope he wasnt just another bogan with a firearm.

If it was just a loud bang but not absolutely ear pearcing then it could have been a smaller firearm and if so that would have been 100% illegal within the ANP and if from within a vehicle then once again 100% illegal.

Certainly worth giving the police a call with the rego of the vehicle and description of what occured. Unless his details bring up a big list of similar incidences then nothing will come of it.

Travis.

[Moondog55]

I'm reasonably familiar with Sheepyard Flat but I haven't been there in a while so I forget the particulars but isn't the Park boundary the river bank?

[ErichFromm]

No idea of boundaries, but the road only runs on one side and it's just a connector between the different camp sites...

[Moondog55]

One side of the campground there used to be some shacks and holiday houses I think they were on the other side of the river which is what made me think the river was the boundary
If this is so then it is possible the shooting was on private property
I seem to remember a few roads in the area and multiple connecting tracks. Still it won't hurt to call the local police station and ask a few questions

[andrewa]

Sheepyard Flat is State Forest. The ANP starts up near Eight Mile.

A

[Travis22]

You can shoot pest animals in state forest. Sorry i only had a quick look at the parks vic map online and it looked like it was within the ANP.

I should have realized given you can have dogs there...

Travis.

[stry]

I think that a check of an appropriate map will show that Sheepyard Flat itself (not necessarily all the adjoining areas) is in the Howqua Hills Historic Area. It is not state forest. I do not believe that the Historic Area is within the ANP.

The conduct may or may not have been legal, and could have been quite safe, but certainly shows a lack of thought for the sensitivities of others who could be expected to be close by.

Labelling the behaviour as "recklessly stupid" without any knowledge of the direction in which the shot was fired, or what may been used as a backstop, is a wee bit presumptuous.

A more diplomatic and engaging response from the driver of the 4wd would probably have sorted out any concerns and left Erich at least somewhat reassured.

[Hallu]

Firing a gun should be illegal in any public campground. Families go there... So unless dropbears become real, guns should be banned in campgrounds.

[puredingo]

My guess is he had his car door open as a bench rest to give the young fella a shot at whatever, once the shot was taken they've hopped back in the vehicle.

Don't know but doubt it's legal, it's an act of stupidity legal or not anyway.

[GPSGuided]

I would suggest that in the current social environment, anyone discharging a firearm near general members of the public is reckless eg. Near camp grounds. Reckless and alarming.

[neilmny]

Erichfromm, I suggest you email Mansfield Police with your story and details.
They will be able to tell you where it stands and act on it if a law has been broken and if you are prepared to witness.
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.as ... ent_ID=439

I did this to Healesville police over a couple of insane drivers in the Black Spur. They took a while to get back to me but they did and they acted on the info I gave them.

[Moondog55]

I would suggest that in the current social environment, anyone discharging a firearm near general members of the public is reckless eg. Near camp grounds. Reckless and alarming.

Times change
Also country attitudes to the use of firearms are totally different to those of city people and you were in the country.
Myself I would have been interested in the brand and calibre of the rifle than any possibility/history of discharge.
Crossing a city street is far more dangerous in any circumstances and people hardly ever think about that.

[GPSGuided]

Times change
Also country attitudes to the use of firearms are totally different to those of city people and you were in the country.

You are not suggesting that our country folks are detached with the social changes within the nation and the world, or folks are happy to see firearm discharges around their quiet camp sites, are you? Odd excuse I'd say. Basic courtesy even if it's within the law.

[Moondog55]

Yes I am saying that country folk consider a lot of the social changes in our towns and cities totally irrelevant to their life.
A lot of country people [ not all] consider firearm discharge and the use of firearms as part of life and do not understand why other people are disturbed by it.
I think you know my own feelings on the matter; I still miss being able to carry a .22LR while walking to put meat in the pot.
It isn't a matter or right or wrong; just difference

[GPSGuided]

I think you know my own feelings on the matter; I still miss being able to carry a .22LR while walking to put meat in the pot.
It isn't a matter or right or wrong; just difference

Yes, I don't have a problem with the carriage of licensed rifles by sensible citizen. However, the issue is one of time and location of discharge. On a private farm, yes, do whatever they want. In and around a public camp site, a completely different story. Country folks are courteous folks and this matter is one of social etiquette and firearm safety. Different set of circumstance.

[Moondog55]

That's the thing
At the moment it's only conjecture that the discharge was within the campground or from a road.

[GPSGuided]

At the moment it's only conjecture that the discharge was within the campground or from a road.

That's true. But the defence seemed to be positioned one that one is entitled to discharge wherever, as long as the general locality is one that permits game hunting by firearm.

[Travis22]

The persons might have been quite surprised at Erichs presence, as he said "the place was pretty much deserted".

Really they should have stopped and explained themselves better but it might well be they didnt want any sort of confrontation either, right or wrong, hunters have been known to be targeted by anti's even when they arent doing anything illegal.

I dont agree with what they did, but it also doesnt sound like they were a bunch of reckless bogans shooting away at anything.

Travis.

[neilmny]

The persons might have been quite surprised at Erichs presence, as he said "the place was pretty much deserted".

Really they should have stopped and explained themselves better but it might well be they didnt want any sort of confrontation either, right or wrong, hunters have been known to be targeted by anti's even when they arent doing anything illegal.

I dont agree with what they did, but it also doesnt sound like they were a bunch of reckless bogans shooting away at anything.

Travis.

That is fair comment Travis.
Also Erics comment on cammo colouring of the gun doesn't mean a combat loony. Deer have great eyesight, the cammo would just be to blend in with the bush rather than
have a piece of steel glinting inthe sun.
The "surprised that Eric was there" element doesn't sound good but it also doesn't mean that the shot was fired recklessly into who knows where without full clear view of the "target".
People who are not or have not been hunters, especially those that have had bad experiences from bogan behaviour types (and there are plenty of them) are justifiably "freaked out" by
seeing guns.

[GPSGuided]

People who are not or have not been hunters, especially those that have had bad experiences from bogan behaviour types (and there are plenty of them) are justifiably "freaked out" by
seeing guns.

From above discussions, I understand that it was the live firing near a camp ground that worried people. Not just seeing the gun.

[neilmny]

People who are not or have not been hunters, especially those that have had bad experiences from bogan behaviour types (and there are plenty of them) are justifiably "freaked out" by
seeing guns.

From above discussions, I understand that it was the live firing near a camp ground that worried people. Not just seeing the gun.

Yes I meant to say the presence of guns. I am not suggesting that firing guns in or near or over a campsite is acceptable
and in my opinion should be outlawed but god knows how that would be policed.
It is very hard to tell how close a shot is. It may have been a long way from the camp.
Deer hunting rifles are very loud and echo around the hills for a long way.

[GPSGuided]

Yes, distance would be hard to judge for the inexperienced.

[peregrinator]

. . . The guy said "don't worry about it mate" but I wasn't particularly convinced . . .

Why not, Erich? The bloke obviously has a superior intellect to be able to respond with a line of such originality and wisdom. And not only that, he's your mate, mate.

[GPSGuided]

. . . The guy said "don't worry about it mate" but I wasn't particularly convinced . . .

Why not, Erich? The bloke obviously has a superior intellect to be able to respond with a line of such originality and wisdom. And not only that, he's your mate, mate.

That's what Martin Bryant should have said... Don't worry about it mate. Kaboom!

[Nuts]

Haha, wot! Settle down mate! anyhow.. 'It's time to worry'
nope! still a bogan ring to it I'd also be concerned, if that guy i'd probably go to the trouble of explaining, perhaps not, probably though what is it here with the bogan-green-ometer and each passing comment.

He may have (wrongly) expected nobody else in the area?