No Shooting in National Forests Now? (Merged)

[Ranger]

Well, I ended up taking a few small caliber guns up to Pike NF so that my bases were covered. Found a ranger and asked and he told me that he was not aware the Pike was banned and to just be careful. Ended up at a pretty remote spot that was mostly dirt and plinked out a few .22's and called it a night. No fire . What really pissed me off is that not a single one of them was able to even hardly cause a dent in the propane tank...

I am worried, particularly with the lastest news that "target shooters" set off a fire this weekend, that this is going to be a back door way to ban shooting in any forest, ever.

[mpatch]

Does anyone have a link to weather or not firearms are banned in Roosevelt, specifically Pingree Park...I can’t find anything concrete.

considering you cannot even get to Pingree because of the fire and from the looks of it you wont be able to until the snow flies

kinda a moot point

[olopc]

Anyone know if they are prohibiting ATV's and dirt bikes? This is a real bummer. The 4th of July is a tradition for shooting in the Arapaho Forest. I have been able to do it without starting a fire for several years. But, I do understand the potential for sparks.

[olopc]

I guess I can answer my own question with the link above. As long as spark arrester is working, should be ok - and, as always, stay on the roads.

Under Stage II fire restrictions the following acts are prohibited on the ARP:

• No open fire, except when using a petroleum stove, grill, or lantern with a buffer cleared of all vegetation on all sides for at least three feet.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
• Possessing or using fireworks or other pyrotechnic device.
• Using an explosive.
• Using any internal or external combustion engine (including chainsaws) without a spark arresting device properly working.
• Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System Roads, except when parking in areas completely cleared of all vegetation and operating a vehicle as described in a valid ARP Motor Vehicle Use Map.
• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Discharge of a firearm, except when possessing a valid Colorado hunting license while lawfully involved in hunting and harvesting game during the appropriate season.

[brianakell]

No shooting on many forest service areas currently. Right or wrong, dont want to see anyone get a ticket!

http://www.reporterherald.com/news/h...colorado-units

[blacklabel]

I understand why they banned shooting but it still sucks. I'm not a big fan of proper ranges.

[Ah Pook]

Thanks for the link. That's the first time I've seen all effected areas in on article.

The restrictions will be placed on the Boulder, Canyon Lakes, Clear Creek and Sulphur Ranger Districts and Pawnee National Grassland.

The fire restrictions also prohibit:

• Open fire, except when using a petroleum stove, grill, or lantern with a buffer cleared of all vegetation on all sides for at least three feet.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
• Possessing or using fireworks or other pyrotechnic device.
• Using an explosive.
• Using any internal or external combustion engine (including chainsaws) without a spark arresting device properly working.
• Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System Roads, except when parking in areas completely cleared of all vegetation and operating a vehicle as described in a valid ARP Motor Vehicle Use Map.
• Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Discharge of a firearm, except when possessing a valid Colorado hunting license while lawfully involved in hunting and harvesting game during the appropriate season.

[merl]

yeah, dangerous precedent if fire bans also apply to shooting. There is a fire ban every single summer.

The part that really pisses me off. Wyoming, right across the border, same fire bans do not apply to shooting. This is for adjacent forests.

map:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...rdb5376173.pdf

[C.hud]

plan on shooting today in pike national forest, called the jeffco sheriffs and they said their current burn ban DOES NOT include target shooting.

[yankeefan98121]

awesome!