Area cleanup

I've seen a bunch of information floating around about various shooting places being closed down on the front range and further into the mountains. Seems to me that it's mostly due to disrespectful shooters leaving trash behind. When I was growing up in Washington my family and some friends would go into the mountains to various shooting areas and do a cleanup day.

Since I'm new to the area and don't know any locations I was wondering if anyone wanted to do a cleanup day? Yes it sucks to cleanup other peoples' messes but I think it's better to take initiative and do something about it. I have a truck, maybe get a couple more and see what kind of impact can be made. What says you?

It's always a good idea to pack out more than you brought in regardless of what you are doing or where you are. It's a good idea. That said, I think most places have been closed due to noise/nimbys more so than litter.

sent from a soup can and some string..

The logistics of things like a dumpster are often difficult. I remember a number of years back that the Boy Scouts were doing a cleanup of the Rampart Range and providing a dumpster and a bunch of us from here helped out.

I usually take garbage bags when I'm going to a public area and pack out more than I packed in.

I'm a firm believer in packing out more than you packed in, but I'm not so fond of the group clean-up thing. Here's why...

When member alxone used to live in CO, he'd go to ranges (usually the South Site) regularly - at least once/wk. Each week he's leave with a full load of trash. It didn't matter how much you cleaned up, those wit no respect for the land or shooting sports continued to ruin it. Unless there is someone monitoring 24/7, there will always be plenty of folks doing enough damage as to keep shooters in a bad light and get shooting locations closed. Now, if you have the time, money & energy to do the clean ups regularly, and maybe you can sell some of what you collect, then more power to you.

Next, Gman mentioned a clean-up at the now closed Rampart Range. I believe the one he's referring to was a HUGE combined effort between the USFS, the Boy Scouts of America, the Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation, several Ft. Carson Army units, etc. As I recall, there were 2 huge construction dumpsters for all of the trash collected and everyone with a means of taking some with them (pickups, etc.) had full loads. By the end of the day you could only see a minor impact because there was just so much trash used for targets and left there. Just one week later the garbage was worse than it had been at the start of the prior weeks cleanup. It's like the dicks were trying to make a statement. It was a short time later that Rampart Range was closed down, officially due to both safety and adverse environmental impact (due to the garbage) reasons.

My point is that we are up against a superior force of people who are damaging our shooting rights. Our best efforts to undo their damage will never be enough. The ONLY way we're going to make progress is by educating those shooters who are willing to listen and documenting/reporting those who are causing the damage. The reporting part could bite us by encouraging the USFS to close areas, but this is already happening anyway and if we don't do something to stop those responsible for the mess, they will continue to move from one place to another until there is no place left to legally shoot - leaving a destroyed National Forest in their wake.

Alex was actually up at the Squaw Pass site cleaning, and one day a guy driving in, told him to his face, "Hey don't worry about cleaning anything up, some guy comes along and cleans it up." I believe that was right around when he stopped cleaning, or pretty close.

USMC: We've done clean-ups before. They always feel good, even if they aren't that effective. I spoke with a Ranger up in Pawnee a few years ago who said the Forest Service would be down for pulling a dumpster out there, they just needed someone to call with a date.

I would love to help out with a clean up day!

COARF event!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theGinsue

I'm a firm believer in packing out more than you packed in, but I'm not so fond of the group clean-up thing. Here's why...

When member alxone used to live in CO, he'd go to ranges (usually the South Site) regularly - at least once/wk. Each week he's leave with a full load of trash. It didn't matter how much you cleaned up, those wit no respect for the land or shooting sports continued to ruin it. Unless there is someone monitoring 24/7, there will always be plenty of folks doing enough damage as to keep shooters in a bad light and get shooting locations closed. Now, if you have the time, money & energy to do the clean ups regularly, and maybe you can sell some of what you collect, then more power to you.

Next, Gman mentioned a clean-up at the now closed Rampart Range. I believe the one he's referring to was a HUGE combined effort between the USFS, the Boy Scouts of America, the Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation, several Ft. Carson Army units, etc. As I recall, there were 2 huge construction dumpsters for all of the trash collected and everyone with a means of taking some with them (pickups, etc.) had full loads. By the end of the day you could only see a minor impact because there was just so much trash used for targets and left there. Just one week later the garbage was worse than it had been at the start of the prior weeks cleanup. It's like the dicks were trying to make a statement. It was a short time later that Rampart Range was closed down, officially due to both safety and adverse environmental impact (due to the garbage) reasons.

My point is that we are up against a superior force of people who are damaging our shooting rights. Our best efforts to undo their damage will never be enough. The ONLY way we're going to make progress is by educating those shooters who are willing to listen and documenting/reporting those who are causing the damage. The reporting part could bite us by encouraging the USFS to close areas, but this is already happening anyway and if we don't do something to stop those responsible for the mess, they will continue to move from one place to another until there is no place left to legally shoot - leaving a destroyed National Forest in their wake.

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Cleanup events are perfect opportunities to educate people.

Just heard that the Forest Service has officially closed down the Mt Herman area in El Paso county. Not sure if it's county wide or not. trying to get more details. I bet more closures are coming.

If there is a shooting area within an hour or so of Boulder, I'd be happy to come out and help fill trash bags. Sadly, as has been mentioned above, it won't stop the poorly raised yoots from trashing it the following day, but I'm still willing to give it a whirl.