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The Property
The property is about 700 acres of wilderness nestled into a huge tract
of Crown land, providing a buffer between us and the rest of the world.
The land is mixed forest (deciduous and evergreen) liberally punctuated
with swamps and beaver ponds. Wildlife abounds and includes Canadian big
game animals such as moose, deer and black bear, along with smaller fur
bearers such as wolves, beavers, otters, martens and raccoons. Birds are
plentiful and include partridges, Scarlet Tanagers, Pileated Woodpeckers
and Osprey.
A beaver swims out for the night
shift on Out Back Pond
The MilCun Project
In 1995, Keith and Linda drew a picture on the back of a paper placemat
in a restaurant in northern Ontario. It was part of a dream to build
a home for target sports in Ontario...
Since then we have acquired some 700 acres of land sufficiently far
from 'civilization' to protect us from encroachment, yet close enough to
major cities and highways to be readily accessible.
We have cleared 8-10 Kilometers of trails, mostly reclaiming old logging
roads. Deer and Moose are using them within a couple of days of the trails
being cleared. The plan is eventually to join the trails into circuits,
making it possible to hike 5, 10 and 15 Kilometer paths, suitable for summer
hiking, winter snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing.
We have worked with local, regional, provincial, and federal governments
and agencies to ensure we will be able to build ranges to support all disciplines
of our sport.
Maple Tree Range - 100 meters
In 2000, we received approval from the Chief Firearms Office for our
first range, a 100 meter range with mounds at 75, 50, and 25 meters.. We named it Maple Tree Range to honor the old maple tree
that stands sentry near the hundred meter mound.
Maple Tree Range in 2000
We have since installed a moving target system for use in our Police
Tactical Rifle Marksmanship (PTRM) and Police Sniper courses. In 2003, the dump trucks rolled
in and we rebuilt the range, putting in formal mounds at 100, 75,
and 50 meters, and from 25 meters to the targets the range floor is
flat for advancing fire.
Maple Tree Range with new mounds in 2003
A new target shed for Maple Tree Range
In 2007, with
help from family, friends and OSA members, we added a covered firing
point at 100 meters.
In 2009,
with the help of family, we upgraded the moving target systems to a
generator-powered system with variable speed control.
The 'MilCun Hilton'
We have made
improvements to the "MilCun Hilton", the original hunt camp on the
property. It now serves as our classroom and lunchroom, as well as providing
accommodation during hunting season.
The classroom
in the 'MilCun Hilton'
Future plans include building our own home with a gunsmithing shop.
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Hill
Top Range - 600 meters
We originally built the 600-meter range to support our Police Sniper
course (Long Range Counter-Sniper). It has since proven popular
with competition shooters and we are currently widening the range
from five shooting lanes to ten.
Keith christening the 400-mound in August 2003
In 2007, we
increased the backstop height.
In early 2009,
OSA members gathered to build a crib for the signal flag in the
butts.
And a wind flag
gets installed at the 200-meter mound (as well as one at the
500-meter mound).
In the summer,
one of the OSA members builds a new target shed.
Ridge
Range - 1000 meters - Under Construction
Linda and Keith mark the 900-meter mound and the butts on the new
1000-meter range
A little pond
will be part of the landscaping in front of the 700-meter mound
Recently,
police have used the range for field firing.
The
Driveway - 3.5 Kms
Left: Jack Prentice and his marvelous machine building our new road in May
2003. Right: Tom Prentice grades the new gravel surface in September
2005
Summer or
Winter... a beautiful walk.
Left:
Spring melt makes us glad we put in 4-foot culverts. Right: a new
gate goes in at the highway.
We are
constantly working to improve the driveway and 2009 saw some
blasting to reduce the steepness of the first big hill and a little
re-routing of the driveway around the new home site.
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