Dear Editor:
We would like to address the letter of Sept. 20 titled “Noise of shooting continues into night,” submitted by Evelyn von Almassy.
The Wildhorse rifle range in Garnett Valley has been in continuous use since 1909.
The Summerland Sportsmen’s Association, a volunteer run, not for profit organization, has maintained the lease on this property for the benefit of its members for over 100 years.
The rifle range became fully certified in 2001 and has to adhere to strict regulations and pass regular inspections performed by the Provincial Firearms Officer.
We have members of the Association who belong to the RCMP, Ministry of Environment/Conservation officers, as well as recreational target shooters and hunters. This range was even used for military purposes during World War II.
Although it is unfortunate that someone broke the rule of no shooting after dusk, one or two individuals do not represent the members of this club as a whole.
Signs are posted on the property with the rules and regulations of the range which include no shooting after dusk.
If there is an issue regarding this, the RCMP should be contacted and those individuals will be reprimanded.
The existence of this range prevents dangerous, non-sanctioned target practice ranges in our surrounding wilderness. Without this facility, target shooters would be forced to use unregulated, unsupervised target areas. Not only is this hazardous to people and animals but is environmentally harmful.
The Wildhorse Mountain Ranch owners were fully aware (or should have been through due diligence) of the existence of this range when they purchased the property. This is simply a matter of buyer beware.
As for the statement of Ms. von Almassy, “I don’t know how many tourists if any use the Summerland Rifle Range,” we believe that the residents of Summerland have a right to recreate in their own backyard.
Not every piece of the Okanagan is reserved for tourist activity. It is unfortunate not only that a tourist operation was opened next to a rifle range, but that their website advertises enjoying “the calm of nature”.
As a guest of the ranch they should be directing their displeasure towards the owners of the bed and breakfast for not making it known they are located next to a certified rifle range, and not towards the members of Summerland Sportsmen’s Association, an active club in the community raising funds for such projects as the deer fence along Highway 97, fish habitat enhancement at Summerland Rotary Pier, annual Summerland Secondary School bursary, hosting an annual Introduction to Firearms Safety for the local Scouts and youth, and most recently a wetlands preservation project at Ritchie Lake and many others.
Dave Carleton, President SSA
Tim Leardo, Vice President SSA
Summerland