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P>ACE 16, TJIUISI)AY, SIPTIMBIER 7, 1972, wiîiI3Jy FisPRE!,ss ilTH E '-'q OUTDOORSMAN'f An accomnplished hunier and outdoorsman, Paul Wicher wil F write a weekly colunin called, 'The Ou t- doorsman' for the FREE PRESS. Mr. Wicher 18 aiso a hunter safety instructor for the ONTARIO DEPT. 0F LANDS & FORESTS. Timely, is possibly the best word that 1 cati use for a description of the heated feeling, arising out of the ashes from the "old dumnp" at Brooklin. A rifle range is the cause of A the smoke; and already char- ges of shooter irresponsibility are issuing forthi. This is amusing in an off-beat sort of way because the shooters usually don't corne uinder fire until a minute after opening day, of the opening season. l'Il have to check my regulations on hiead hunting to nnirods, but 1 believe that someone "on the other side" is hunting out of season. Why are A the gun zealots classified as ir- responsible when there are only a few who qualify for "nut" badges? There are more fools licenced to, drive cars than there are to hunt. In tact, sorne of those who are pointing a finger, are probably 100%/,, more guilty of' irresponsibility than the average shooter would be capable of in four or five life trnes. So instead of starting the faîl hunting season off with ilI feelings, Iet's try to solve the real problems and get along as weil as we do the rest of the year. This past Sunday 1 went to look over this new range which 1 thought was a great idea - until 1 saw the site. OnIy a person with the mental capac- ity and forthought of an earthworm could mention spending $65 to $75 on this place, and terni it safe for target shooting. The same phraseology could be ap- plied to anyone who would use it in the condition, it is ini now, and wilI be even after this hugc capital expendittire ks lavished 0o1 the site. The road into the dump k i roughly paralcil to the proposed (direction of' t'ire ýand target imnpact point, which mecans yoLi could be Linder tire on your way ini, and wi tI the backstop tlîat is tliere at the present tinie, the situation couild be imnpossible. The backstop is a dlay mound filled with suich buillet absorbing mnaterials as steel, concrete slabs and boulders - and at such an incline so as flot to prevent stray shots fromn going over it. Piles of saIt filled sand are in the miiddlc of the range, not to mention a large steel tank which wouild also be in the line oft' ire. 1 don't think that armor penetrating bullets are sold over the counter especially for police or competition shooting. There is a nice panoramic view of Groveside Cernetery and one can also get littie peeks at Highway 12 from the west end of the range site. These would have to be blocked off by an earth bank of at least 50 feet in height. The terrible erosion and muck condition would have to be put in order, and the entire area leveled to permit the type of grouind necessary for ultra-accurate compet- ition matches. The very last minimum safety meas- ure lias to be a fence - at least ten feet high to keep the littie people out and the big people on a new proper access route. Without these minimal safety standards, the supporters of this range are acting irresponsibly and casting a dark shadow of incompetance on every person who enjoys shooting. 1I didn't make the standards for public safety they are a reality on every decent range in Canada. And sponsoring a shooting competition uinder the condition which prevails at this durip would be an insuit to any team. lnstead of spending the town's money on cocktail parties why not mnake a municipal range that we can be proud ot, one that will attract top- of-the-line shooters from ail over Canada? A range where a non-shooter can go and be instructed in the proper and safe use of firearms uinder strict supervision. This type of investment need not cost the taxpayers more than an initial investment as the fees levied on the shooter would pay tor the range and mnake money to boot! Where is the nearest public range which is) supervised and where can one safely shoot with harmn to no one? Shooters look wide and far f'or these types of places and they find very few. Why can't we do it here, the riglit way, instead of' the uisual backsided approach? OPEN OPENm & LEAGUE SEPT e2 ,'72 hr s. 12 COUNTY BOWL r&»f down youi a 0<. no on tfi*1uid ni gh 118 Byron Street, N 16 MODEHtN LANES AND COMPLETE SNACK BAR FACILITIES YOU TH LEAG UE Registration SATURDAY, SEPT. 9, 1972, Reg. This includes your bowling for the f irst day. Registration Time for à Tykes and Bantams 6 yrs. to 11. 1*'10 a.m. to 12 Noc>n Juniors & Seniors 12 Noon to 2 p.m. Fee $2.00. Adult help is urgently required to heip run this league. Parents or Bowlers who are interested or inquiries for any of the above bowling are welcome to cali: AL 6825 RON BROWN MANAGER CAL6825 SPEC UAL PARTIES RATE S FOR BOWLINGI & BIRTHDAY PARTIES LADIES & MENS LEAGUES NEEDED FOR AFTERNOON or NIONT L EAGU ES AUTHOR/ZED SALES American Motors WATCH FOR OUR '73's A FEW '72's LEFT 668-2262 BASEL/NE ROAD AT WHITBY-PICKERNG TOWNLINE NIGHT ý E A 0