Okay....Thanks....I think I feel better now....I'll let that shit go.
You can't shoot here...
- Thread starter Squatch
- Start date
One of the things we saw was the huge amount of trash and brass casings left behind. Broken bottles. A car door. Even two truck rotors, which I informed my family they were not to shoot at. Casings well into the hundreds, as well as shotgun shells. We brought bags to haul out our trash, and we did, too. Every can, plastic bottle, and casing was retrieved. I don't take issue with the "why" we couldn't shoot there. It's not my property, so I don't make the rules. It was just not the way an otherwise good day should end. I haven't had so much as a parking ticket in 35 years, so I really didn't know what to expect when he pulled up, turned on the Christmas lights, and ordered us to unload our firearms. Just not a routine day for this ol' man...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.
Likely the very reason why there is no shooting there. It is the usual, a few ruin it for the rest of us.
ya years ago on our way up to the lake, we would have to pass this bowl where people were shooting, we saw freezers and fridges shot up. A lot of garbage. People would bring things in and leave it. On the way back there were "No Shooting" signs with bullet holes in them. I think assholes are where your issues started.
That sucks man! A little fishy, but I'm sure you have seen the lay of the land on the Green maps. I think they have some jurisdiction in areas that are scattered as private land, DNR, and federal.
That said, I only know of three areas in the Cascades now that Rangers will not give you a hard time for target shooting. There were a dozen other spots that are now bombarded with "Safety Corridor" and other menacing signs, claiming to be areas that have high foot traffic.
Nowadays, I go further out than where any Forest Ranger's truck will take them. I have only seen them on foot on popular WTA type trails, but even then - it's rare seeing them that far out.
That said, I only know of three areas in the Cascades now that Rangers will not give you a hard time for target shooting. There were a dozen other spots that are now bombarded with "Safety Corridor" and other menacing signs, claiming to be areas that have high foot traffic.
Nowadays, I go further out than where any Forest Ranger's truck will take them. I have only seen them on foot on popular WTA type trails, but even then - it's rare seeing them that far out.
xxdabroxx
TJ Addict
I recently found a new spot to shoot in my area. There are a couple other locations littered with garbage, shot up TV's and appliances, shotshell hulls and brass everywhere. All of these places are easily accessible by a 2wd. Leading out the back of one of these easy to access spots is a 2 track that leads into the forest, it has rocks and a small creek to cross. At the end of the 2 track is a nice open space with a steel target hanging in it. It's clean, no trash, very few shells and overall a great spot to shoot. I've found that the harder it is to gain access to a place the better kept it is. I always pick up as much of my brass as I can find (reloader here) but the ground is covered in grass which makes it tough and I also try and find some extra trash to pack out too.
Around my area anything that is national forest and safe to shoot in is legal for target practice. You may look into finding some national forest in your area that is legal to hunt. If it's legal to hunt it's legal to shoot unless its archery only area or something like that maybe.
In your situation I'd be tempted to go talk to the judge when it comes time to pay the fine. Bring pictures of the area showing there are not any private property/ no trespassing/ shooting signs posted. Might get you off, might not.
Around my area anything that is national forest and safe to shoot in is legal for target practice. You may look into finding some national forest in your area that is legal to hunt. If it's legal to hunt it's legal to shoot unless its archery only area or something like that maybe.
In your situation I'd be tempted to go talk to the judge when it comes time to pay the fine. Bring pictures of the area showing there are not any private property/ no trespassing/ shooting signs posted. Might get you off, might not.
I had considered that, but not sure that I have any defense against not knowing that it was privately owned land. That is, after all, my responsibility, ya know? Apparently, there is a place 1.4 miles down the road and back in a ways that is okay to use. This, according to the Ranger.
Yes! That's it! That was always a fun day trip, and nice clean fish! We have even spent a weekend up there a time or two! The only con are the dreaded horseflies.
Last summer, the horseflies were TERRIBLE! The absolute worst was in the Olympics, I did a bunch of multiday hikes in and around Dosey, and on one trip I was a couple of miles in (near Elkhorn) when those (not so) little bastards spotted me. They were circling and dive bombing me the ENTIRE day. I doused myself in DEET, but it was like it had a reverse effect and was attracting more of them!!!
That was a miserable trip. The horseflies are just getting worse each year too.
Not sure about Washington, but in California if its not posted....fenced or cultivated .... you are good to go onto the property.
Ya I don't remember having much problems with them anywhere else really other than Sultan back in the day, but I did like Fish Lake/ Lake Wenatchee area, but they were riddled with mosquitoes. That is one thing nice about Arizona, less bugs. I think they just spontaneously combust here.
I think people spontaneously combust in AZ summers as well!
He did, and never said anything. In fact, the only one he commented on was my little Ruger Mark I. He asked me if it was an early Ruger, as when he instructed us to lock the actions back, I informed him my pistol did not have that feature (that didn't come out until the Mark II). Said he like Rugers. Good man!
Yup, my favorite log landing:
"The Authorities" just gated it off. Now I need to find another one to shoot on. I hate asshats that refuse to clean up after themselves.
xxdabroxx
TJ Addict
There are so many areas in the mountains near me that are closed off to vehicular traffic and it just sickens me. I’m not the problem so why do I get to be punished. Hell, I’m the kinda guy that would remove a downed tree from a road to open it back up if it meant legally being able to pass again.
We're going to leave this here:
Oops, brb...
To many devices going at once.
This leads to one of my favorite Elk hunting areas. About three miles past the blow down. We're going to leave it for awhile.
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