400 Metres from highway question?

[two-feet]

There are some good spots not far off the highway, good to have some waypoints in the gps beforehand so you know how far away you are.

[downsouth204]

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sp...-2018-2020.pdf

[boxhitch]

"no hunting within 400 meters of major highways"

nothing like that in the regs


and what is listed , is pretty ridiculous
like the Hwy 6 restriction 'between Bench Cr. and Banting Cr.'.....try to find those on a map

[Harvest the Land]

I would think a range finder would be one way to figure it out. But in these spots the timber is so thick I can't see the highway (can only hear vehicles)

[Hublocker]

As boxhitch has indicated; there is no blanket 400 metre closure.

Page 13 of the current regs synopsis lists those roads that fall into that category.

[Huevos]

Just remember "The major purpose of these restrictionsis to address the problems associated withincreasing public pressure for more closuresnear rural roads, where the urban publicis expanding residential properties, oftenat considerable distances from main urbancentres"

[Harvest the Land]

OK I finally got a response to this question from Stephen MacIver today and here it is:

Hello Jason,
The Wildlife Act and regulations don’t specify whether the 400m No Shooting/Hunting distance from certain highways is horizontal distance or slope distance.

My interpretation is that an individual must be at least the prescribed distance away when hunting or shooting, and it is reasonable for a person to meet that requirement by being at least the minimum slope distance away.
Additionally, Section 2 of the provincial Firearms Act states:

Exercise of care for safety of others
3 A person who is in possession or control of a firearm must exercise care for the safety of other persons or property.

There is also federal legislation that pertains to the safe use, handling, storage, etc of firearms that shooters must be aware of.

The key is to follow the regulations, and above all be safe; always know your target and what’s beyond it.

Regards,

Stephen MacIver|Regulations and Policy Analyst|Fish & Wildlife Branch|Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development|Phone (77 698-9112|Email: stephen.maciver@gov.bc.ca

[Harvest the Land]

Lets try that again - did not realize the colour and font were all wonky:

Hello Jason,

The Wildlife Act and regulations don’t specify whether the 400m No Shooting/Hunting distance from certain highways is horizontal distance or slope distance.

My interpretation is that an individual must be at least the prescribed distance away when hunting or shooting, and it is reasonable for a person to meet that requirement by being at least the minimum slope distance away.

Additionally, Section 2 of the provincial Firearms Act states:

Exercise of care for safety of others
3 A person who is in possession or control of a firearm must exercise care for the safety of other persons or property.

There is also federal legislation that pertains to the safe use, handling, storage, etc of firearms that shooters must be aware of.

The key is to follow the regulations, and above all be safe; always know your target and what’s beyond it.

Regards,

Stephen MacIver|Regulations and Policy Analyst|Fish & Wildlife Branch|Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations, and Rural Development|Phone (77 698-9112|Email: stephen.maciver@gov.bc.ca

So, the key takeaway for me is where he says "it is reasonable for a person to meet that requirement by being at least the minimum slope distance away". Hopefully they will clarify this in future Regs

[Dannybuoy]

nothing like that in the regs


and what is listed , is pretty ridiculous
like the Hwy 6 restriction 'between Bench Cr. and Banting Cr.'.....try to find those on a map

Ask any local where and why that highway 6 restriction is in place ..... To the OP as others have indicated there only a few stretches of highway that have the 400 meter restriction

[Treed]

Thanks for the post HTL. I always assume it would be horizontal distance. Shot direction and 400 m slope distance and you are good to go!