PSA – Forest Ranger Visit Yesterday

[MED]

I was at the Buffalo Creek shooting area yesterday breaking in my new AR pistol and the forest ranger stopped by. He made one shooter put away his targets and told me that my PVC target stand was not acceptable. He mentioned that law enforcement will be citing people for not using “manufactured” targets so we should expect it. I thought I would pass this info along and see if anybody else had a similar experience.

I am all for eliminating all the shit that people bring, shoot, and leave; pisses me off! However, I was annoyed about catching shit for a PVC target stand; really? I have packed more shot up junk out of those places; I couldn't even estimate how much.

[kidicarus13]

Thanks for the PSA. Poor descretion from the ranger.

[mtnrider]

This is exactly how it started out on Mt. Herman rd. Visits by Forest Rangers. Closure is soon to follow.

[MED]

This is exactly how it started out on Mt. Herman rd. Visits by Forest Rangers. Closure is soon to follow.

I did a lot of shooting along Mt Herman Rd. in the 80s. It was really nice back then. Since we can't fix stupid, it will all be closed soon.

[Zundfolge]

What exactly are “manufactured” targets? Do they mean that the stands need to be steel? Or just that they can't be home made?

[MED]

What exactly are “manufactured” targets? Do they mean that the stands need to be steel? Or just that they can't be home made?

I am still looking around, but found this. If I am shooting at cardboard held by a stand, I fail to see the problem.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPyhQ oY6BdkOyoCAGixyPg!/?ss=110210&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=stelprdb5163234&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&position=Not%2520Yet%2520Determined.Html&ttype=detail&pname=Arapaho%2520&%2520Roosevelt%2520National%2520Forests%2520Pawnee %2520National%2520Grassland-%2520Recreation

[BPTactical]

I have no issue with them encouraging/leveraging shooters to use only proper targets.
Show of hands: who here gets sick and tired of seeing/hauling out microwaves, computers etc that douchebags have used for target practice?[pick-me]


The real question is this: is that truly all they are intending??
Slippery slope and all that.......

[mtnrider]

The real question is this: is that truly all they are intending??
Slippery slope and all that.......

^ Exactly. Like I said, when Mt Herman was still open I had a visit from FR. I was shooting steel so no worries but they were doing "target" checks etc. Seems like they are following the same MO.

[newracer]

The problem with a PVC stand is if the stand accidentally gets hit then pieces of the PVC go flying off and likely do not get picked up.

Are they starting to take it to the extreme, probably, but unfortunately due to the lack of responsibility of other we all suffer.

[Brian]

The problem with a PVC stand is if the stand accidentally gets hit then pieces of the PVC go flying off and likely do not get picked up.
Are they starting to take it to the extreme, probably, but unfortunately due to the lack of responsibility of other we all suffer.

Yep, this.
It's too bad there's not a way to police ourselves better. There are just too many bad apples. Or maybe it's just that nobody has really sat some of these guys down to explain the consequences of what they're doing.

How hard is it to figure that you have to pick up after yourself though? Anyone over the age of 18 ought to know better, and most well before that.

[wyome]

Coords on Buffalo Creek plz

[Ronin13]

I may be a lowly Sheriff's Deputy and have no clue about FS rules, but I was unaware of any law that stated you couldn't shoot at targets put on a homemade target stand. Heck, I have two homemade stands myself.

[beast556]

How hard is it to figure that you have to pick up after yourself though? Anyone over the age of 18 ought to know better, and most well before that.[/QUOTE]


From doing property management maintenance for 10 years and going in to multiple apartments and houses daily you would be supprised. Most people live like slobs.

[Colorobo]

Last time I was up there there was a posted sign that sais paper targets ect., self healing targets. and cans no bigger that 16 oz I think or 12. Brink a rake and cleanup. I too get sick of the D bags ect.

[Ah Pook]

At least your FS rangers get out of the truck/office. We have campers/transients that spend all summer in one spot and absolutely trash the forest. Not a ranger to be seen.

Too bad they were just hassling you.

[BushMasterBoy]

Its the forest, just make stands out of wood. Wood is bio-degradable. I usually shoot in the forest, but remote "hike in" areas only. I like the Afghanistan feel...

[blackford76]

No plywood targets either. Ranger "Hippie" was handing out copies of the new rules early this summer at Harris Park range. I'll see if I can find it.
He was worried about the glue in the plywood contaminating the ground water. We use several home made target stands, as long as they are made from solid wood, they are allowed. Can't shoot cans or plastic bottles, but clays are okay.

[Martinjmpr]

No plywood targets either. Ranger "Hippie" was handing out copies of the new rules early this summer at Harris Park range. I'll see if I can find it.
He was worried about the glue in the plywood contaminating the ground water. We use several home made target stands, as long as they are made from solid wood, they are allowed. Can't shoot cans or plastic bottles, but clays are okay.

This seems to be the rule now at all USFS shooting areas. I noticed when we went to Harris Park in September there were signs everywhere saying no plastic bottles, glass (duh!), metal cans, etc.

When I rode out to Pawnee Buttes I saw the same thing on a big sign: Manufactured targets only, no plastic, etc.

We like to fill plastic bottles with water and shoot them but apparently that's now verboten. We are always careful to pack out our trash (and more) but of course, somebody's gotta ruin it for everybody. Honestly after seeing the trash heap at the Rampart Range facility, I can kind of understand it.

I assume clays are still OK (I think the rules specifically say they are.) Maybe find a way to hang some clays off of a metal target stand and shoot at those. Not as much fun as watching a water-filled jug blow up though.

[MED]

I just wanted to let everyone know about home built target stands so as not to be surprised. I absolutely agree with coming down on people who drag their shit out there and leave it; that stuff really pisses me off. Although, I think coming down on somebody with a home built target stand they clearly bring and take out is kinda dumb, but stupid people ruin it for everybody. I am not that thrilled about wood and steel stands mainly because of weight and expense, but I guess I gotta deal with it.

[Brian]

I just wanted to let everyone know about home built target stands so as not to be surprised. I absolutely agree with coming down on people who drag their shit out there and leave it; that stuff really pisses me off. Although, I think coming down on somebody with a home built target stand they clearly bring and take out is kinda dumb, but stupid people ruin it for everybody. I am not that thrilled about wood and steel stands mainly because of weight and expense, but I guess I gotta deal with it.

Thx for the heads up. Agree with you 100%

[kidicarus13]

We like to fill plastic bottles with water and shoot them but apparently that's now verboten.

Likewise. It's too bad there are so many whiney-ass people that want shooters (including other shooters) to conform to shooting government approved paper targets hanging from biodegradable hemp target stands netween the hours of 10am - 5pm. It's getting a bit ridiculous.

Someday soon this will be our option:
What range do you belong to?

[Aloha_Shooter]

Pass a pretty severe regulation for littering at a range or shooting targets with a serious ricochet risk and enforce it.

In general, I don't like passing more regulations. I'd rather handle it via social means -- set up game cameras at the established/informal ranges and post pictures of anyone who left s---t behind. Let the shooting community get on his ass for leaving crap out there.

[HoneyBadger]

In general, I don't like passing more regulations. I'd rather handle it via social means -- set up game cameras at the established/informal ranges and post pictures of anyone who left s---t behind. Let the shooting community get on his ass for leaving crap out there.
The asshat would probably shoot your game camera...

[funkymonkey1111]

I have packed more shot up junk out of those places; I couldn't even estimate how much.

The federale doesn't give a shit what you pack out of there. He gives a shit on how he can hassle you today.

[ben4372]

The part about ply wood and ground water is funny. This just goes to show how "free" we are. Last time I was in Oregon you had to buy trail permits in most areas. As in pay a few bucks to hike. Lets hope it doesn't come here. They really don't want us in the forest.