Outdoor Public Shooting Range near Fairplay/Alma

[BrianV]

I just searched this sub-forum and read the sticky that included the Google Map with ranges pinned.

I saw nothing along Hwy 285 or Hwy 9.

Are there any ranges, or public land, to practice shooting both handgun (9mm) and rifle (6.55)? I'd be intrigued with shotgun, too.

I did see the one in Dillon that supports all of the above, but I was hoping for something closer to Fairplay and Alma...perhaps headed to Buena Vista.


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[spqrzilla]

Chaffee County shooting range on 285, halfway between Salida and Buena Vista. Its adjacent to the county dump. Nice spot actually.

[BrianV]

About the same amount of time to get to that range as the one in Dillon - according to Google Maps.


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[CS1983]

Buena Vista is probably your best bet as far as I'm aware for an actual range nearish that area. There's also Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex in the Springs but I'm not sure how far out you want to be with the rifle. Range 1 is generally open on weekends only, but last couple of times I went there they claimed being short-staffed and the longer range was closed, so it was max 427 yards on steel. I guess the South Park Shooting Range is still open, but it is relegated to 100 yards for rifle last I knew.

http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/ShootingRanges.aspx has a map of ranges, but I'd call the local Forest Service or DOW to ask if it's open or not.

[BrianV]

Thanks - yeah, that CPW site didn't show anything close.

The Springs is actually closer to my house...was hoping for something natural while out at a cabin.

100 yards is enough - for now!


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[Delfuego]

Park County has been working on a range. I don't know if it is operational, I kinda forgot about it.

[BrianV]

Excellent...


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[CS1983]

If you are on public land and it's not big game season when you are out, you should be fine for rifle and pistol west of I-25 just out in the National Forest or on BLM land. If big game season, could always call ahead to the DOW office in the area and just ask/get permission so they don't hit you with a trumped up poaching charge.

Just do a google maps scouting trip and get some ideas. If 100 yards is all you need, plenty of places to do that without needing to be at a range proper.

[BrianV]

That's additional input I was hoping for - I heard that was a possibility, but I didn't know the limitations. I know of someone who was shooting on public land in Grand County...and had a little run in with law enforcement. Not on my list of things to do!


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[CS1983]

No worries.

Here's the Big Game brochure from DOW/CPW: http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf

If you will just be target shooting, you should be fine if it isn't rifle season, but again, I'd call ahead and just confirm where you'll be, what you're doing, etc. during big game season, and get the name of whomever you speak with. It should be fairly obvious you are target shooting. If you plan to do any small game/furbear/predator hunting, any rifle over .23 caliber is a no go during that time. Otherwise, I like to have a small game license outside of big game season to circumvent any accusations which are unfounded as far as small game intent.

Page 16 proper (not in viewer, but actual page #) of the brochure states:

1.Centerfire Rifles
...
e. It is illegal to hunt game birds, small-game mammals or furbearers with a
centerfire rifle larger than .23 caliber during regular rifle deer and elk sea-
sons west of I-25, without an unfilled deer or elk license for the season. A
small-game, furbearer or unfilled big-game license is required.
-------
My rule of thumb is I don't take any rifles on public land which are .23 caliber or over during big game season to avoid some Wildlife officer trying to get a feather in his cap. A lot of them are great guys and I've not met a bad one. I just don't want to meet a bad one and have it be a gray area where I know my intent but he can say otherwise.

If you have a good backstop (like a hill), are the required distance from the road, and aren't acting a fool, you should be fine. As always, if you are out and approached by an officer, put down the weapon and keep your hands where he can see them.
Pg 17 proper gives a list of illegal activities for shooting/transport of weapons/etc.

[BrianV]

No worries.

Here's the Big Game brochure from DOW/CPW: http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf

If you will just be target shooting, you should be fine if it isn't rifle season, but again, I'd call ahead and just confirm where you'll be, what you're doing, etc. during big game season, and get the name of whomever you speak with. It should be fairly obvious you are target shooting. If you plan to do any small game/furbear/predator hunting, any rifle over .23 caliber is a no go during that time. Otherwise, I like to have a small game license outside of big game season to circumvent any accusations which are unfounded as far as small game intent.

Page 16 proper (not in viewer, but actual page #) of the brochure states:

1.Centerfire Rifles
...
e. It is illegal to hunt game birds, small-game mammals or furbearers with a
centerfire rifle larger than .23 caliber during regular rifle deer and elk sea-
sons west of I-25, without an unfilled deer or elk license for the season. A
small-game, furbearer or unfilled big-game license is required.
-------
My rule of thumb is I don't take any rifles on public land which are .23 caliber or over during big game season to avoid some Wildlife officer trying to get a feather in his cap. A lot of them are great guys and I've not met a bad one. I just don't want to meet a bad one and have it be a gray area where I know my intent but he can say otherwise.

If you have a good backstop (like a hill), are the required distance from the road, and aren't acting a fool, you should be fine. As always, if you are out and approached by an officer, put down the weapon and keep your hands where he can see them.
Pg 17 proper gives a list of illegal activities for shooting/transport of weapons/etc.

I was shocked and amazed at how detailed that brochure was. Keep in mind, the last time I hunted was when I was 18...30 years ago. It was in Texas, on private land, and you just went into the Maverick Market and got your license.

Still not sure I will ever hunt again. I love venison, rabbit, quail...but it seems to be a heck of a process now (including draws, etc...seem people get REALLY excited about their draws, or really disappointed). But I am intent on getting back to using the rifles/shotgun proficiently - and adding the handgun (which is my primary practice gun of choice right now).

I read Pg 17 - and I'll research where to check-in. When I'm down in the Metro area, I've just been shooting at CGC. But I'd really like to shoot at an outdoor range when up at the cabin. That Dillon range was interesting because it even included Trap shooting.