Forestry workers in Jordan are increasingly finding themselves caught in the crossfires of target shooters.

B次元官网网址淢y biggest concern is that someone is going to get killed or injured,B次元官网网址� said Mike Hicks, the Capital Regional District director for the Juan de Fuca area.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 aware that some loggers have had to call their head office for help because they were in the trees working and people were shooting in the same area not knowing the workers were there.B次元官网网址�

Hicks said many people like to try out their guns and practice shooting near Jordan River, due to open space.

Jordan River residents approached the Environment Ministry in 2016 and got a boundary expansion restricting people from shooting firearms close by.

Hicks said the issue now isnB次元官网网址檛 that people are going there and shooting their guns for sport, it is that people are shooting in restricted areas and at logging equipment, putting workers in danger as well as the public who may be out walking or hiking.

He added that people have also been taking illegal, automatic weapons into the area.

Another issue Hicks pointed out is that shooters are leaving their shells behind and littering in the area, as well as shooting at targets that can be hazardous to wildlife.

Last summer there was a three-hectare fire near Jordan River that was believed to be started by people with firearms, shooting at a B次元官网网址渇lare target.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淧eople need to be more careful where they fire their weapons, what they are firing at, and where they leave all their casings,B次元官网网址� Hicks said. B次元官网网址淚f we caught someone leaving their shell casings we could fine them up to $10,000.B次元官网网址�

Conservation officer Scott Norris said unfortunately the issue of people leaving their shells behind is a problem all over the Island and the province.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely a concern in many areas, as thousands of plastic and brass shells are left behind,B次元官网网址� Norris said. B次元官网网址淣ot everyone wants to be part of a gun club. A lot of people choose to go out and target practice in the bush, and thereB次元官网网址檚 no law against it, but we would like it if people would take their garbage with them.B次元官网网址�

Norris also said the person who has a firearm is responsible for every shot they take, so they need to be aware of their surroundings, understand where the closed areas are, and follow typical firearm safety protocols.

Hicks said the main problem is some people not being mindful of others or of nature while out practicing shooting.

B次元官网网址淟ike come on. Just donB次元官网网址檛 use machine guns, stop shooting at logging equipment, and clean up after yourselves. DonB次元官网网址檛 be a jerk is what it boils down to,B次元官网网址� Hicks said. B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 have to go hurt nature or endanger people when youB次元官网网址檙e supposed to be having fun.B次元官网网址�

He said hopefully people will get wiser, or the ultimate punishment would be to close down access to Crown land.

B次元官网网址淎 few people are going to ruin it for everyone if they donB次元官网网址檛 grow up and be more responsible, and thatB次元官网网址檚 the last thing I want,B次元官网网址� Hicks said.

If you hear or see someone shooting in a restricted area, contact RCMP at 250-642-5241.