Washington state residents

[andy]

Is it legal to go target shooting on state forest land? I use to do this several years ago but the state forest land in King County is all posted with "NO SHOOTING" signs. Is this just a county thing or is it state wide? If it is a state law do any of you know of some place in the woods around here a person can go shooting without running afoul of the law. I'm sick to death of gun ranges and want a place I can shoot in privacy. Gun ranges are too restrictive for me.

 

[Meow]

can't help you but I want to know too.

 

[jmbg29]

As far as I know, it it legal to shoot on state forest property. The only exception that I am aware of; are a certain few county ordinances that deal with safe distances for the discharge of a firearm near domiciles and farm buildings. One other exception would be a King County ordinance that creates "No Shooting Zones". Because of the state pre-emption law, the "No Shooting Zone" rule only applies to recreational shooting.

The Department of Natural Resources South Puget Sound Region Office
950 Farman AVE N
Enumclaw, WA 98022-9282
(360) 825-1631
[email protected]

Deals with state land issues within the confines of the people's Demokratic Republik of King County.

Some folks over here on Vashon Island took it upon themselves to post our D.N.R. land in order to curtail hunting and shooting. Fortunately for us, but unfortunately for them:

RCW 77.15.220
Unlawful posting -- Penalty.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawful posting if the individual posts signs preventing hunting or fishing on any land not owned or leased by the individual, or without the permission of the person who owns, leases, or controls the land posted.

(2) Unlawful posting is a misdemeanor.


[1998 c 190 § 25.]

____________________________________________________

So when I finished explaining the illegal posting situation to the nice lady at D.N.R., I recieved permission from her office to summarily remove the signs. I then made it known to the local bunny-huggers and equestrian types (the folks that put up the illegal signs) that I would see to it that they would be prosecuted if they ever do it again.

So far, so good.

BTW If you are ever on Vashon Island, let me know, and if I have time, you can try our Vashon Sportsmen's Club range as my guest. We are nice and private. No range-commando bozos on our range.

 

[Gordy Wesen]

Pick a pass. Drive out on the logging roads and there are plenty places to shoot.

 

[J Miller]

The National Forest Service is closing off a lot of area around the Phoenix Valley area, and around the Tuscon area in Arizona.

They are using the excuse that it is a congested area. They are probably using the same excuse where you are.

 

[tomkatz]

Just a couple years ago we used to shoot at greenwater, I guess that is out now, not too sure about other places specifically, but I have gone way in to places like the naches trail and shot my guns. Lately though I have been shooting at Tacoma rifle and revolver club in University Place. May just take you up on the vashon island shoot if the invite goes for others as well, sounds like fun, and I am pretty close to vashon. If you all come up with other good areas post them here, I miss just going out somewhere and shooting with not so much restriction.....tom

 

[Dain Bramage]

I just went shooting on Friday in the Sultan basin recreational area. For the past 20 years that I have been doing it, and probably a long time before that, there have been traditional shooting areas in the gravel pits and clear-cuts there.

Recently, due to development, the Snohomish County council has banned shooting in the lower areas, within 2 or 3 miles of town. These places are clearly posted, and the county will mail you the map outlining the banned areas if you ask.

However, there are still many places further up the road that are available, especially where the pavement ends. The gravel road is smooth, and you don't need a 4-wheel drive. As far as I know (AFAIK), these areas are legal. I met some polite shooters up there, and no one was hassled.

It is a bit out of the way, but the drive and scenery are beautiful. You head east on Hwy 2 to Sultan, and then take the Sultan Basin Road north. The turnoff is on the east end of town, just past the Dutch Cup Restaurant. Good shooting.

 

[andy]

Dain, thanks for the heads up. I've driven around some of Sultan Basin before and saw all the "NO SHOOTING" signs posted so I assumed the whole area was closed. Now I know better.
jmbg29, thanks for your imput and the invite. Its been many years since I've been on Vashon and that was just stopping at the ferry dock on my way to Southworth. If I do get out that way I'll take you up on that offer. BTW good job on standing up to the bunny huggers. I like seeing those guys squirm.
Gordy, your idea about the mountain passes has inspired me to spend some of my summer doing some exploring. Even if I do not find a good shooting spot at least I got to enjoy the mountains.

It seems there is no state law reguarding shooting on state forest land, or if there is it must be a well guarded secret. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[deanf]

Just a couple years ago we used to shoot at greenwater, I guess that is out now

Why would Greenwater be "out" now?

 

[tomkatz]

As far as I know greenwater is closed to shooting now, at least according to a friend who went up there recently. He said all the gravel pits were posted and bermed off. Is this not the case? I would imagine though if you get back in the woods aways you could shoot most anywhere in them hills..........tom

 

[Minute_Of_Torso]

Spent most of the day on Memorial Day shooting in the Skokomish River area of the Olympic National Forest. Saw nary another soul the entire time.

Your post got me to thinking though, so I checked the regulations website for the Oly Natl Forest. You can pretty much shoot anywhere that isn't near a dwelling (150 yards), a developed campsite, on a road, or across a road.

Don't know if these rules apply to other public lands and I do know that National Parks are out of the question.

 

[deanf]

When I think of "Greenwater" I'm thinking of all National Forest land accessible from SR-410 between Weyerhauser land on the West, and Mt. Rainier National Park land on the East. That's a lot of country. It's been since last spring that I've been up there, but I can't imagine the whole lot of it is closed to shooting now.

Perhaps I'll check it out soon . . . .

Incidentally, my favorite place to shoot out there is at N47° 04.548’ x W121° 42.996’, 4000 feet elevation.

 

[tomkatz]

deanf....yeah I was more or less referring to the main road going into the sno park where the two gravel pits were, near town, just an easy access place where some buddies and me always went shooting. I am sure there are still MANY place up there to shoot, and I am gonna have to head up there soon too and see for myself........tom