Residents, cottagers and visitors across Muskoka and the Township of Georgian Bay are calling on the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Conservation Officers, the Ontario Provincial Police and other responsible authorities to take action on unsafe recreational shooting on Crown land near cottages, roads, trails and waterways.

At South Gibson Lake, the Ministry of Natural Resources has already designated land near the end of South Gibson Lake Road as subject to a Public Lands Restriction under Section 28(1) of Ontario’s Public Lands Act.

The posted Ministry signage clearly states:

“No discharge of firearms permitted within 200 metres from the center of the Hydro One corridor.”

The sign also warns that disobeying the notice may result in charges and a maximum penalty of $15,000.

The restriction exists. The signs are posted. What is missing is consistent enforcement.

Residents continue to experience frequent recreational shooting on Crown land close to areas used by cottagers, residents, hikers, paddlers and other members of the public. This has created ongoing concerns about public safety and whether existing restrictions are sufficient and being adequately enforced.

There is also an environmental and waste issue. Shooting areas can be left littered with spent casings, ammunition debris, targets and other garbage. Crown land should not become an informal shooting range where waste is left behind for surrounding communities and the environment to absorb.

This petition is not opposed to lawful hunting or responsible firearm use. It is about unsafe shooting near communities, protecting our natural environment and ensuring that existing public safety restrictions are actually enforced.

We are asking the responsible authorities to:

1. Enforce existing firearm restrictions, including the Section 28(1) Public Lands Act restriction in the South Gibson Lake Road and Hydro One corridor area.
2. Increase proactive patrols by Conservation Officers and other appropriate enforcement personnel in areas where unsafe recreational shooting is repeatedly reported, particularly on weekends and during peak spring and summer periods.
3. Respond consistently to reports of unsafe or prohibited shooting and investigate and apply the penalties available under existing law when violations are established.
4. Address the garbage and environmental impact associated with recreational shooting sites, including abandoned targets, spent casings and other debris left on Crown land.
5. Identify and prioritize problem areas near cottages, homes, public roads, trails and waterways where recurring firearm use may create risks to surrounding communities or other Crown land users.
6. Establish a clear and coordinated reporting process so residents can provide dates, times, locations, photographs, videos and other evidence to the appropriate authorities.
7. Review whether existing firearm restricted areas and their boundaries are sufficient given the proximity of cottages, roads, trails and waterways and recurring shooting activity immediately outside or around restricted areas.
   This is not a request to prevent responsible people from enjoying Ontario’s Crown lands or participating in lawful hunting and shooting activities.

It is a request for safer Crown land, responsible firearm use, protection of our environment and meaningful enforcement of the rules already in place.

Residents and visitors should not have to wait for a serious injury or environmental damage to become worse before action is taken.

The restrictions are already in place.

The signs are already posted.

Now we are asking Ontario to enforce them.