Bush Plinking

Questions about New South Wales gun and ammunition laws. NSW Firearms Act 1996.

Bush Plinking

Post by 2freeq » 18 Jun 2018, 7:46 am

Hi all,

This might be a dumb question but are you allowed to plink targets with a .22 in a area where your allowed to hunt? Do i still need to get a R license and register online i'm in there just for this? FYI we have target and hunting on our license.

Basically i was looking for a more "informal" environment to target shoot with my daughter when her minors permit gets approved and would rather look like we don't know what we are doing with no-one else around.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by straightshooter » 18 Jun 2018, 8:02 am

As far as I know the NSW firearms act does not provide for 'plinking' as a substantive reason to discharge a firearm, particularly if hunting is your valid reason for firearm ownership.
However testing or checking the accuracy of your rifle at an improvised target seems acceptable. Especially if confirming the accuracy of your rifle or improving your shooting skills or instructing a minor or beginner is done with the goal of humane hunting outcomes.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Archie » 18 Jun 2018, 8:27 am

This gets a bit complicated.

For example, depends on what you mean by "area you are allowed to hunt". If you mean a State Forest, then the answer is definitively no. That is proscribed by the state forest regulations. You can shoot at animals, you can't plink (or sight in, pattern etc).

On private land (assuming land owner is ok with it...) I havent been able to find anything that contradicts what straighshooter says, but emphasis is on "improvised target". If it's a permanent target then you run the risk of being seen as running an unauthorised shooting range, which is bad news.

Realistically, if it doesn't annoy the neighbours and you are doing it safely on a large rural property I doubt anyone will give a damn. If you do annoy the neighbours then unfortunately like so much of this, whether its a real problem will likely come down to the view of the local police. A suprising number are shooters as well. If you are concerned then I'd drop into the local cop shop and ask.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by brett1868 » 18 Jun 2018, 8:46 am

Archie, there was a change in the legislation that now allows for sighting in / patterning / ammunition testing on private lands. Check https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2017/442/part3/sec33 Part 3 Clause 33 :) There's still no plinking permitted in state forests and if you get caught in a forest with a firearm and no valid reason then expect to be in a word of grief. The DPI has a dedicated team of people to deal with state forest hunting along with rangers to combat the increase in poaching.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by 2freeq » 18 Jun 2018, 12:08 pm

Thanks for the replies. Yes i was referring to state forests as i dont know anyone with private land. So i guess its a solid NO. We will stick to target ranges, Its not worth the risk. Cheers.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Archie » 18 Jun 2018, 1:34 pm

Thanks for that Brett. I was sure there was something on it and completely blanked as to where...
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Member-Deleted » 18 Jun 2018, 3:03 pm

brett1868 wrote:Archie, there was a change in the legislation that now allows for sighting in / patterning / ammunition testing on private lands. Check https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2017/442/part3/sec33 Part 3 Clause 33 :) There's still no plinking permitted in state forests and if you get caught in a forest with a firearm and no valid reason then expect to be in a word of grief. The DPI has a dedicated team of people to deal with state forest hunting along with rangers to combat the increase in poaching.


Just in relation to your comment re "private lands," section 33(2) states, "This clause authorises the use of a firearm on any land on which use of the firearm is not otherwise unlawful and is not limited to use at an approved shooting range." the way I read this is, if a person had approval to shoot in a state forest, they would be permitted by this clause, to sight in or tune a firearm, the only proviso I could think of would be, if their approval actually specifically prohibited the activity.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by brett1868 » 18 Jun 2018, 3:12 pm

Member-Deleted wrote:
brett1868 wrote:Archie, there was a change in the legislation that now allows for sighting in / patterning / ammunition testing on private lands. Check https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2017/442/part3/sec33 Part 3 Clause 33 :) There's still no plinking permitted in state forests and if you get caught in a forest with a firearm and no valid reason then expect to be in a word of grief. The DPI has a dedicated team of people to deal with state forest hunting along with rangers to combat the increase in poaching.


Just in relation to your comment re "private lands," section 33(2) states, "This clause authorises the use of a firearm on any land on which use of the firearm is not otherwise unlawful and is not limited to use at an approved shooting range." the way I read this is, if a person had approval to shoot in a state forest, they would be permitted by this clause, to sight in or tune a firearm, the only proviso I could think of would be, if their approval actually specifically prohibited the activity.



Correct and as you suspected the DPI rules prohibit any form of target shooting :(
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Archie » 18 Jun 2018, 3:18 pm

Member-Deleted wrote:...he way I read this is, if a person had approval to shoot in a state forest, they would be permitted by this clause, to sight in or tune a firearm, the only proviso I could think of would be, if their approval actually specifically prohibited the activity.


Which unfortunately it does. From the NSW Game Hunting Guide, section on State Forests, p100 : "You are not permitted to sight-in or target practice with firearms, clay targets or archery equipment in State forests."

https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/asset ... -guide.pdf
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Member-Deleted » 18 Jun 2018, 3:18 pm

brett1868 wrote:
Member-Deleted wrote:
brett1868 wrote:Archie, there was a change in the legislation that now allows for sighting in / patterning / ammunition testing on private lands. Check https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2017/442/part3/sec33 Part 3 Clause 33 :) There's still no plinking permitted in state forests and if you get caught in a forest with a firearm and no valid reason then expect to be in a word of grief. The DPI has a dedicated team of people to deal with state forest hunting along with rangers to combat the increase in poaching.


Just in relation to your comment re "private lands," section 33(2) states, "This clause authorises the use of a firearm on any land on which use of the firearm is not otherwise unlawful and is not limited to use at an approved shooting range." the way I read this is, if a person had approval to shoot in a state forest, they would be permitted by this clause, to sight in or tune a firearm, the only proviso I could think of would be, if their approval actually specifically prohibited the activity.



Correct and as you suspected the DPI rules prohibit any form of target shooting :(


Bugger, but knowing the workings of some government departments, it does not surprise me though, thanks for clarifying that. :thumbsup:
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Gwion » 19 Jun 2018, 4:14 am

2freeq wrote:Thanks for the replies. Yes i was referring to state forests as i dont know anyone with private land. So i guess its a solid NO. We will stick to target ranges, Its not worth the risk. Cheers.


Good idea, mate.
Also, it is a good idea to be around people who do know what they are doing when you are learning, even if it can be embarrassing.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by cracker » 22 Jun 2018, 7:09 pm

bentaz wrote:Just all need to move to Victoria

was shooting metal gongs and trying out my new beretta side by side(clays) and the cops came past... in vic state forest they were fine, everything was above board and legal, all mess cleaned up, no spent casings littering the place.
took down some details and said have fun guys
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Rider888 » 12 Aug 2018, 9:54 am

So it seems like I can shoot stationary targets on private property, outside of a shooting range, if its for the purpose of "familiarisation, sighting and/or tuning" of a new pistol.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by scoobs » 12 Aug 2018, 9:59 am

Rider888 wrote:So it seems like I can shoot stationary targets on private property, outside of a shooting range, if its for the purpose of "familiarisation, sighting and/or tuning" of a new pistol.

you might wanna confirm that. im 99% sure you can only fire a handgun at an approved range. cannot even transport them to any place that is not a gun shop/gunsmith or range.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Rider888 » 12 Aug 2018, 10:04 am

scoobs wrote:
Rider888 wrote:So it seems like I can shoot stationary targets on private property, outside of a shooting range, if its for the purpose of "familiarisation, sighting and/or tuning" of a new pistol.

you might wanna confirm that. im 99% sure you can only fire a handgun at an approved range. cannot even transport them to any place that is not a gun shop/gunsmith or range.


Here is the official legislation "the licence does not authorise the use of a firearm except at a shooting range approved under Part 8 or under the authority conferred by clause 33 (Licences and permits extend to authorise sighting in, patterning and related activities)."

The or clause 33 talks about the ability to sight blah blah.... I cant find anything that makes this clause specific to A and B Cat firearms

Ive also never heard that you "cannot transport to any place that is not a gun shop or range" Is that in the legislation somewhere? Everything I have read states there is no issue taking you Cat H anywhere as long as its in a locked box
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by bladeracer » 12 Aug 2018, 12:17 pm

Rider888 wrote:So it seems like I can shoot stationary targets on private property, outside of a shooting range, if its for the purpose of "familiarisation, sighting and/or tuning" of a new pistol.


Not with handguns, approved handgun ranges only.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by bladeracer » 12 Aug 2018, 12:20 pm

Rider888 wrote:Ive also never heard that you "cannot transport to any place that is not a gun shop or range" Is that in the legislation somewhere? Everything I have read states there is no issue taking you Cat H anywhere as long as its in a locked box


You most certainly cannot drive around with a handgun if you are not going directly to or from a range, a shop or home. You must have legitimate reason to have it with you.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Rider888 » 12 Aug 2018, 3:00 pm

bladeracer wrote:
Rider888 wrote:Ive also never heard that you "cannot transport to any place that is not a gun shop or range" Is that in the legislation somewhere? Everything I have read states there is no issue taking you Cat H anywhere as long as its in a locked box


You most certainly cannot drive around with a handgun if you are not going directly to or from a range, a shop or home. You must have legitimate reason to have it with you.


Oh yes I understand that. Cheers
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Rider888 » 12 Aug 2018, 4:13 pm

bladeracer wrote:
Rider888 wrote:So it seems like I can shoot stationary targets on private property, outside of a shooting range, if its for the purpose of "familiarisation, sighting and/or tuning" of a new pistol.


Not with handguns, approved handgun ranges only.


Can you please point me in the direction of the legislation because based on what has been stated, it doesn't restrict handguns to ranges only. Im just trying to get my head around this
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by 2freeq » 12 Aug 2018, 5:57 pm

The legislation is worded in a way that isn't precise and can be interpreted however the authorities see fit. Best bet is interpret it on the cautious and most restrictive side. If it sounds like fun or common sense it's illegal.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Gaznazdiak » 12 Aug 2018, 6:15 pm

According to SSAA you can only use a pistol at an approved range.

When I looked into pistol shooting about 15yrs ago, one of the things that put me off was the inability to use it anywhere but at the range.
May have changed since, but that combined with some rather "special" people at the nearest club killed all further interest for me.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by scoobs » 12 Aug 2018, 8:04 pm

Gaznazdiak wrote:According to SSAA you can only use a pistol at an approved range.

When I looked into pistol shooting about 15yrs ago, one of the things that put me off was the inability to use it anywhere but at the range.
May have changed since, but that combined with some rather "special" people at the nearest club killed all further interest for me.

its still the same
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 13 Aug 2018, 8:18 am

Including the special ppl.... joke
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by bladeracer » 13 Aug 2018, 8:27 am

scoobs wrote:
Gaznazdiak wrote:According to SSAA you can only use a pistol at an approved range.

When I looked into pistol shooting about 15yrs ago, one of the things that put me off was the inability to use it anywhere but at the range.
May have changed since, but that combined with some rather "special" people at the nearest club killed all further interest for me.

its still the same


Was the same in 1990 when I started pistol shooting as well.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by marksman » 13 Aug 2018, 8:27 am

you forgot to add only ssaa ranges :sarcasm:
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by RoginaJack » 13 Aug 2018, 11:10 am

Don't have a pistol licence but does it state on the licence "hunting"?, if not target shooting only at approved range and if caught "in the bush" with a pistol good bye firearms.

That's what all the fuss is about with farmers applying to carrying sidearms, licence must be endorsed as such.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Archie » 13 Aug 2018, 7:31 pm

scoobs wrote:
Gaznazdiak wrote:According to SSAA you can only use a pistol at an approved range.

When I looked into pistol shooting about 15yrs ago, one of the things that put me off was the inability to use it anywhere but at the range.
May have changed since, but that combined with some rather "special" people at the nearest club killed all further interest for me.

its still the same


And that's why I never bothered with a Cat H...
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 13 Aug 2018, 9:36 pm

Why don't they have a catagory Z
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Angel » 14 Aug 2018, 11:46 am

2freeq wrote:The legislation is worded in a way that isn't precise and can be interpreted however the authorities see fit. Best bet is interpret it on the cautious and most restrictive side. If it sounds like fun or common sense it's illegal.


Yep... Sounda about rigjt.
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Re: Bush Plinking

Post by Rider888 » 04 Apr 2020, 5:44 am

I believe sighting in also applies to H-Cat firearms on private property i.e. it's allowed if it's for sighting or tuning of firearm or familirsation of ammo. Please direct me to the relevant regulation if this is not correct.
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