Thread: Mysteries and hidden ranges.

hey guys, recently moved to Motukarara just outside CHCH, (can view my introduction post). Of course the first thing as any of us do is look for somewhere to shoot.

lFew big places in the city but a fair drive away a shotgun range at the end of the road is a bit of a blessing and looks a really cool place but no rifle stuff. I hear the odd firing of a rifle from time to time if I'm home in the day, even stranger.

After some sleuthing i find theres a place in Taitap, or just outside, thats not on any maps, or websites. its down Rifle range culvert i think and her say says its only open to members, but i can't find anything more about it, no club house, no members, no pages.

i appreciate if its fully members only and they don't want me around, but if its just a case of filling in a form and paying a price id love the opportunity to make some friends and have a little practise closer to home.

can anyone shed light on the situation?

Charlie

i'm new to lincoln so pretty close too. i have a couple of rifles that need sighting in so any info would be appreciated as the nearest range i have access to is in rangiora

sure thing bro, if your ever heading outdoor a days hunt or pest control or well hell anything that gets me outdoors hit me up. Always good to have likeminded friends.

there is the range at Mcleans island

There's the hand loaders range at Mcleans island.

Folk used to set up targets and shoot at Lake lyndon, not sure if it still goes on.
Don't know it's particularly legal, as it's DOC land and target shooting is not permitted under a hunting permit.

Originally Posted by charlie1991

hey guys, recently moved to Motukarara just outside CHCH, (can view my introduction post). Of course the first thing as any of us do is look for somewhere to shoot.

lFew big places in the city but a fair drive away a shotgun range at the end of the road is a bit of a blessing and looks a really cool place but no rifle stuff. I hear the odd firing of a rifle from time to time if I'm home in the day, even stranger.

After some sleuthing i find theres a place in Taitap, or just outside, thats not on any maps, or websites. its down Rifle range culvert i think and her say says its only open to members, but i can't find anything more about it, no club house, no members, no pages.

i appreciate if its fully members only and they don't want me around, but if its just a case of filling in a form and paying a price id love the opportunity to make some friends and have a little practise closer to home.

can anyone shed light on the situation?

Charlie

The NZDA had a range out there some years ago, that maybe what your referring to....

There is a clay shooting club at motukarara use to be a rifle range in that area taitapu if I remember correctly moved out to Malvern hills goes out to 1000yards I think Then as mentioned. Hand loaders at mcleans Island also deer stalkers have a range out there Tuesday nights is public night at handloaders and deer stalkers do have a public day once a month. Not sure think it's a Sunday once a month hope this is of some help (also if lookin for like minded. People chch rod and gun club has a meeting at cashmere club every 2nd Thursday of the month no range but good bunch guys)

I'm from Akaroa and come past there all the time.

The Rifle Range Culvert range used to be used occasionally, but I haven't seen any activity there in a few years.
Maybe since they cut down the pine trees near it.
There is a raised shooting area and from memory it would have been 200 to 300m long to the target area against the hill.
Might have been a gentleman's agreement with a local farmer.
Might have been a compliance issue ?
There are a few 10 acre blocks around there now and that might have spelt its demise.

If you can't google it up then I would suggest visiting the farm house a bit further along on the other side of the road.

cheers

I think we shot fullbore out there a couple of times in the 1980's. So it would be 300, 500 and 600 yd.
Can't remember more than that or it would be just one of those "synthetic created memories".
Robbie Tiffen would have known. It truly is a mystery and hidden range.

Your best bet is to make acquaintance of the NZDA and use their Macleans Island range.

There is / was a Tai tap long range gun club out that way, but it is seasonal. It is out to 1000 yards or so, but often has stock on it so is not always available. Handloaders is open for the public to use (100m) every Tuesday and they do shotgun clays etc there as well. Deerstalkers goes out to 200m and is next door. I dont now much more about that range.

It could be worth popping out to Handloaders and having a chat to them one Tuesday and look into joining if you wanted to shoot there regularly as members have access outside the open nights.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

There's the hand loaders range at Mcleans island.

Folk used to set up targets and shoot at Lake lyndon, not sure if it still goes on.
Don't know it's particularly legal, as it's DOC land and target shooting is not permitted under a hunting permit.

Correct. But sight in shots OK, AFAIK - please someone correct me to reduce my risk of getting arrested.

Originally Posted by akaroa1

I'm from Akaroa and come past there all the time.

The Rifle Range Culvert range used to be used occasionally, but I haven't seen any activity there in a few years.
Maybe since they cut down the pine trees near it.
There is a raised shooting area and from memory it would have been 200 to 300m long to the target area against the hill.
Might have been a gentleman's agreement with a local farmer.
Might have been a compliance issue ?
There are a few 10 acre blocks around there now and that might have spelt its demise.

If you can't google it up then I would suggest visiting the farm house a bit further along on the other side of the road.

cheers

Tai Tap shoot 6 months of the year, off season is over winter. They shoot out to 1000y. The club is still in operation and has been since about WWI.

Where does it say on a DOC permit no target shooting @Beetroot? I have specifically asked at my local office about crown land near my place which is fine for target shooting with a permit.

Originally Posted by Sasquatch

Where does it say on a DOC permit no target shooting @Beetroot? I have specifically asked at my local office about crown land near my place which is fine for target shooting with a permit.

I also asked about sighting in a rifle on a doc permit and was told that apart from upsetting other hunters in the area it was ok??

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I'm not the best person to ask about this, but whilst it doesn't say no target shooting it's a permit to hunt on public land, so the intention is for hunting.

While setting up some gongs and shooting them from a 1000m can be done safely, when it's in a shared area were other members of the public can be without your knowledge the risk to the public is much higher than firing one or two shots at a deer.

Whilst I'm sure if you exercised common sense you would likely be fine, but I don't believe that if a ranger or someone from DOC took exception to your target shooting saying it doesn't say you can't on the permit would pass as an excuse, when clearly the intention of a hunting permit is for hunting.

Again I'm not someone in the know, but if someone from your local office said its ok then you should be fine. I'd want it in writing though as anyone who has dealt with local government knows ones persons word isn't worth a dam if the next person you talk too doesn't agree.