You can't shoot here...

[Squatch]

So, it's been quite a while since I've gone shooting anywhere other than my local indoor firing range. My wife and son, however, frequently shoot out in this remote area in the Sultan Basin (I'll bet @ac_ knows the area). Well, I was going to work out in the garage today, but they asked if I'd go along with 'em. It'll be fun, they said. And it was...right up until the time a Ranger pulled up and asked us to "remove the magazines, lock the actions back, and step away from the weapons." Oh, shit.
After asking us to come together in a tighter group and asking if we had any weapons "on our person", he then asked what we were doing. "Target practice" was our obvious response. He informed us that it is privately owned land, and that the owner's are starting to really raise hell about folks shooting there. He said he was going to issue us a "group citation", and that one person was needed to provide information. Being the husband and dad, I gave my info. He took my phone number, and information from my driver's license. Said he was issuing the lowest fine in the Fish & Wildlife system (or however he worded it), which is $150. Said that either the judge or his own boss could insist on a higher amount, based on the number of offenses they've been dealing with, and that they might want to drive the point home by increasing the fine. Said I won't know for certain until the citation arrives in the mail. Oh, joy.
All-in-all, he was extremely pleasant, and actually kept apologizing for "having to issue such nice folks a citation". No issues with how we were treated. I am confused, however, in what a Ranger has to do with dealing with us shooting on privately owned land? I mean, I understand completely that as a gun owner, it is our responsibility to know where we can and where we cannot shoot. I accept that, no issues. But if that's privately owned land...a Ranger? A Sherriff, I could see. I'm confused...and at least $150 poorer!
Anyone have any valuable input?

 

[Chris]

If he was so nice, he could have just let you go and told you not to do it again.

And yeah, why would a ranger be on privately owned land?

 

[Squatch]

If he was so nice, he could have just let you go and told you not to do it again.

And yeah, why would a ranger be on privately owned land?

Yeah, he kept saying things like he is being forced to issue the citations, but is playing dumb and using the lowest fine possible, unless the offenders are being difficult. I dunno...seems a little odd, to me. I have every reason to believe the guy was legit. The rig's markings, the K-9 designation, along with the German Shepard, his uniform and all the hardware he had on his person. Seemed pretty real.

 

[Chris]

I'm just confused as to how a Ranger can issue you a ticket when you did something on private property? Maybe I don't understand the law enough though.

But it's just like any cop... I've been pulled over before several times and the cop told me I was speeding, gave me a warning, and let me go with no ticket. Had he really wanted to be a nice guy, he could have done that. And to be honest, I think he should have done that. It's not like you had any idea you were doing something wrong, and I think everyone deserves to be let off the hook the first time something like this happens, as long as you weren't doing it with any ill intent.

 

[Rob5589]

Not sure about WA but in CA, fish and game officers have unfettered access to private land to enforce all game/hunting laws. They actually have greater leeway/search parameters than a police officer or sheriff deputy. He could have been in the area or a call came in about a possible poaching situation. Either way, blows ass.

 

[Squatch]

I'm just confused as to how a Ranger can issue you a ticket when you did something on private property? Maybe I don't understand the law enough though.

But it's just like any cop... I've been pulled over before several times and the cop told me I was speeding, gave me a warning, and let me go with no ticket. Had he really wanted to be a nice guy, he could have done that. And to be honest, I think he should have done that. It's not like you had any idea you were doing something wrong, and I think everyone deserves to be let off the hook the first time something like this happens, as long as you weren't doing it with any ill intent.

Well, you know what they say..."Ignorance of the law is no excuse." He said he had just issued a citation to some folks who were driving by us, and some others up the road, as well. Sure, I would've preferred to not be fined, but such is life. I originally thought he was going to confiscate our guns. We had my little 22 semi-auto pistol, my .357 revolver, my wife's 9mm, a 16 gauge shotgun, a 12 gauge shotgun, and an AK47. Would've sucked to have to deal with them being taken.

 

[Squatch]

Not sure about WA but in CA, fish and game officers have unfettered access to private land to enforce all game/hunting laws. They actually have greater leeway/search parameters than a police officer or sheriff deputy. He could have been in the area or a call came in about a possible poaching situation. Either way, blows ass.

Well, it's entirely possible that it's the same here. It definitely would explain how this could even happen. And while it does suck, if it's the worst thing that ever happens in my life, then I'm doing alright. It's all a matter of perspective. (My wife says I'm far too easygoing...)

 

[Chris]

Well, you know what they say..."Ignorance of the law is no excuse." He said he had just issued a citation to some folks who were driving by us, and some others up the road, as well. Sure, I would've preferred to not be fined, but such is life. I originally thought he was going to confiscate our guns. We had my little 22 semi-auto pistol, my .357 revolver, my wife's 9mm, a 16 gauge shotgun, a 12 gauge shotgun, and an AK47. Would've sucked to have to deal with them being taken.

I just don't understand how you would have ever known that it was private land?

 

[ac_]

So, it's been quite a while since I've gone shooting anywhere other than my local indoor firing range. My wife and son, however, frequently shoot out in this remote area in the Sultan Basin (I'll bet @ac_ knows the area). Well, I was going to work out in the garage today, but they asked if I'd go along with 'em. It'll be fun, they said. And it was...right up until the time a Ranger pulled up and asked us to "remove the magazines, lock the actions back, and step away from the weapons." Oh, shit.
After asking us to come together in a tighter group and asking if we had any weapons "on our person", he then asked what we were doing. "Target practice" was our obvious response. He informed us that it is privately owned land, and that the owner's are starting to really raise hell about folks shooting there. He said he was going to issue us a "group citation", and that one person was needed to provide information. Being the husband and dad, I gave my info. He took my phone number, and information from my driver's license. Said he was issuing the lowest fine in the Fish & Wildlife system (or however he worded it), which is $150. Said that either the judge or his own boss could insist on a higher amount, based on the number of offenses they've been dealing with, and that they might want to drive the point home by increasing the fine. Said I won't know for certain until the citation arrives in the mail. Oh, joy.
All-in-all, he was extremely pleasant, and actually kept apologizing for "having to issue such nice folks a citation". No issues with how we were treated. I am confused, however, in what a Ranger has to do with dealing with us shooting on privately owned land? I mean, I understand completely that as a gun owner, it is our responsibility to know where we can and where we cannot shoot. I accept that, no issues. But if that's privately owned land...a Ranger? A Sherriff, I could see. I'm confused...and at least $150 poorer!
Anyone have any valuable input?

ya that is weird, I would think they would call the cops and give you a trespassing ticket.

I miss Sultan I know probably every inch of it. Well maybe not now, but it was so awesome there was everything up there. There is a trail run that ends up at an alpine lake that was an awesome day trip. I have caught and eaten so many quality trout in the lake. I forgot the name but it was such a fun trail ride to get there. We have camped there too. Also on the way there was a creek with some brookies in it Great dirt bike riding. It was a fun area for sure. How about those efing Horseflies though?

You always bring up some great memories of the great northwest. Sultan was one of my favs for sure.

 

[Squatch]

I just don't understand how you would have ever known that it was private land?

He said that with the internet, there's no excuse for people to not know where and where they cannot shoot legally. I guess...

 

[Squatch]

How about those efing Horseflies though?

LOL My wife was not digging on them, that's for certain. I'm now starting to get conflicting reports from friends and stuff on the internet that much of the area is no longer friendly to, or tolerant of, firearms.

I hate Washington state.

 

[Squatch]

You always bring up some great memories of the great northwest. Sultan was one of my favs for sure.

Sometimes the memories of the past far surpass the realities of the present. Hang ono your memories, my friend. This place just isn't the same, anymore.

 

[ac_]

Sometimes the memories of the past far surpass the realities of the present. Hang ono your memories, my friend. This place just isn't the same, anymore.

That's sad, because there was so many places to just pull off the main road and dry camp there, We have a huge fish and game presence here, so there are not as many places to just pull off and camp. Most places here are just dusty desert with designated campsites and they charge so much if you just want to use parts for the day.

It is not any better here either.

There are some cool places to go, but they mostly cost money. And we don't really have the lakes and rivers like you guys do. That is pretty amazing. I hope they don't ruin that, because it was really fun.

I know they were closing Cle Elum down to make golf courses, and went so far to say you could get a ticket for having a dirty car in that city. That made me pretty sick. We were in Eastern Washington, and were doing some logging roads, not even muddy, and when we stopped on our way back at a restaurant they told us to wash our trucks and we can use their hose because the police will give us tickets because our trucks were dirty. We never when to Cle Elum again and then I moved to AZ. (Not for that, but to get out of the rain)

 

[Squatch]

That's sad, because there was so many places to just pull off the main road and dry camp there, We have a huge fish and game presence here, so there are not as many places to just pull off and camp. Most places here are just dusty desert with designated campsites and they charge so much if you just want to use parts for the day.

It is not any better here either.

There are some cool places to go, but they mostly cost money. And we don't really have the lakes and rivers like you guys do. That is pretty amazing. I hope they don't ruin that, because it was really fun.

I know they were closing Cle Elum down to make golf courses, and went so far to say you could get a ticket for having a dirty car in that city. That made me pretty sick. We were in Eastern Washington, and were doing some logging roads, not even muddy, and when we stopped on our way back at a restaurant they told us to wash our trucks and we can use their hose because the police will give us tickets because our trucks were dirty. We never when to Cle Elum again and then I moved to AZ. (Not for that, but to get out of the rain)

Ok, in the story wars of bullshit rules, that one is the winner!

Idaho.
I. Need. Idaho.

 

[ac_]

Ok, in the story wars of bullshit rules, that one is the winner!

Idaho.
I. Need. Idaho.

I lived for a short stint in Spokane, and there was a lot of nice wheeling there, and at the state line. I haven't spent much time in Idaho, except Boise, and at the state line.

 

[Squatch]

There are two things that are seriously destroying this area: the extreme left-leaning politics, and the rampant drug use. Have you heard the latest tax that Seattle is pushing for? A $500-a-head tax on employees for some of our larger businesses. Socialist Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant was actually outside one of the Amazon buildings, on a bullhorn, shouting about how Amazon has "got to pay", along with a group of protesters. As a result, Amazon has put a "pause" on building a new building in the area to expand their headquarters. Other cities that are trying to lure Amazon their way are saying they're "learning from Seattle's mistakes". If Amazon pulls out of the area, the economic consequences will be huge. Absolutely huge.
The drug problem...aaah, that. Today, as I was approaching the tire shop I deal with to get my rims checked out, one of two young white males was walking down the alley. One is walking like he's in the throws of an epileptic fit, throwing hand gestures every-which-way, because, you know...he's a bad-ass. Then he turns and looks at me as I'm driving my truck, and it becomes obvious this guy is flying. He's in Spacex territory. He starts challenging me with this "mother-f*%#er, you f#$%ing c#$&sucker...", because, you know...I'm driving. This is actually the second time this has happened to me while driving my truck.
I'm just over it. I am soooo over it.

 

[Flib]

That's sad, because there was so many places to just pull off the main road and dry camp there, We have a huge fish and game presence here, so there are not as many places to just pull off and camp. Most places here are just dusty desert with designated campsites and they charge so much if you just want to use parts for the day.

It is not any better here either.

There are some cool places to go, but they mostly cost money. And we don't really have the lakes and rivers like you guys do. That is pretty amazing. I hope they don't ruin that, because it was really fun.

I know they were closing Cle Elum down to make golf courses, and went so far to say you could get a ticket for having a dirty car in that city. That made me pretty sick. We were in Eastern Washington, and were doing some logging roads, not even muddy, and when we stopped on our way back at a restaurant they told us to wash our trucks and we can use their hose because the police will give us tickets because our trucks were dirty. We never when to Cle Elum again and then I moved to AZ. (Not for that, but to get out of the rain)

I would have told them to get bent and I I want a dirty truck I'll have a dirty truck! F that racket, thats goes way to far!

 

[lowranger]

There are two things that are seriously destroying this area: the extreme left-leaning politics, and the rampant drug use. Have you heard the latest tax that Seattle is pushing for? A $500-a-head tax on employees for some of our larger businesses. Socialist Seattle City Councilwoman Kshama Sawant was actually outside one of the Amazon buildings, on a bullhorn, shouting about how Amazon has "got to pay", along with a group of protesters. As a result, Amazon has put a "pause" on building a new building in the area to expand their headquarters. Other cities that are trying to lure Amazon their way are saying they're "learning from Seattle's mistakes". If Amazon pulls out of the area, the economic consequences will be huge. Absolutely huge.
The drug problem...aaah, that. Today, as I was approaching the tire shop I deal with to get my rims checked out, one of two young white males was walking down the alley. One is walking like he's in the throws of an epileptic fit, throwing hand gestures every-which-way, because, you know...he's a bad-ass. Then he turns and looks at me as I'm driving my truck, and it becomes obvious this guy is flying. He's in Spacex territory. He starts challenging me with this "mother-f*%#er, you f#$%ing c#$&sucker...", because, you know...I'm driving. This is actually the second time this has happened to me while driving my truck.
I'm just over it. I am soooo over it.

And people keep saying how bad California is. They need to look around.

 

[Umbra]

Bummer. My dad was a state game warden in KY for 30 years. He spent 75% of his time on private land enforcing hunting and fishing laws. People would hear shots, assume it was hunters and call him.
It's darn near impossible to find anywhere to hunt/shoot here any more. The culture has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. Hunting and shooting used to be common. Every truck you saw had a gun rack, usually with something in it. If you did that now, you'd get pulled over because of some complaint.
Farmers had no problem with shooters on their property, now they don't trust anybody...with good reason.
My guess would be that the spot you speak of has changed hands, either sold off or inherited and the new owners figure you're either militia or cooking meth.

 

[mrblaine]

And people keep saying how bad California is. They need to look around.

You need to let that shit go. Even if you convince them to look around, they will just blame Californians moving to the area as the reason for the area's screwed up culture and politics. What most and by most I mean the vast majority of the haters overlook is that millions upon millions of folks moved to CA from other states and they are why CA is so screwed up. They just decided to go back home and screw it up elsewhere.