Arizona - Need Some Help

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

camslam

Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2006
Messages
741
Location
Chilling Out in the Valley of The Sun
Just wondering if any of the Arizona regulars can suggest a couple of places to shoot a few rounds off in the desert.

I know there are plenty of gun ranges including Ben Avery, I know there are regulations as to how far from buildings you have to be, and I know that you have to be on certain types of land versus city or some county land.

I'm just wondering if anyone can suggest some specific areas in the Northeast Maricopa county area (Scottsdale area) that are ok to shoot some rounds.

Thanks in advance.
 
take I-17 north out of the city, past New River. get off at Table Mesa Road. take a left across the overpass, then a right toward the gravel company. keep driving strait until you hit BLM land or hear shots.
 
if you take cool stuff to shoot at ie...old tvs, computer moniters, microwaves please take it home with you. Shooters are getting a bad rap for leaving thier trash in the desert.
 
You can also take Table Mesa East if you have four wheel drive. There are miles of clearly marked roads out that way. The closest place I know of to Scottsdale is up by Seven Springs(just East of Cave Creek). You could also go out through Rio Verde all the way East till you get to the Verde River. Checkout the four peaks area as well. As was posted before PLEASE clean up all your mess. Leave nothing behind. My friends and I use these areas and we can easily fill a pickup bed with the crap other people leave out there(not just shooters).
 
Just pick up your shells. I am tired of picking up shells from lazy irresponsible shooters at the Table Mesa area. This area is going to be closed down soon enough...
 
If you find any 7.62. x 39, they aren't mine. :)

I echo what you are saying, it is sad to see the crap that is left in nature by we gun shooters.

I think once a place is designated as a trash/shoot em up range, it goes down hill because nobody wants to clean up someone else's crap.

I learned in the Boy Scouts's to always leave the place better than you found it.

Good advice.
 
Conversely, head out Hwy 87 past Fountain Hills. Go past the Bush Hwy / Sajuaro Lake turn off. About 5 miles past Bush Hwy, you'll climb a ridge and look down into a large valley. Look for a right turn at the bottom of the drop into the valley.

Follow the dirt road back and find a place with a good backstop. Please pick up your brass and targets when you're done.

For an actual range that doesn't cater to the "lowest common denomenator" type of shooter, you can try the Tonto Rim Sports Club up in Payson. You'll need to join as a member, but it is only $50 a year. Beautiful range, competent yet soft spoken range masters, polite members.
 
Considering the price of fuel these days, I think $7 to shoot at Ben Avery is a great value for you.
I appear there regularly and am always pleased at the control and organization displayed by the G&F personnel and volunteers. And it is always clean and has toilet facilities, too! :D

Poper
 
yea, pick up your trash when you leave!

my eagle scout project was cleaning up the table mesa shooting areas. spent two days out there with 50 scouts and we STILL didnt make a dent in the trash
 
+ 1
if you take cool stuff to shoot at ie...old tvs, computer moniters, microwaves please take it home with you. Shooters are getting a bad rap for leaving thier trash in the desert.
 
I don't think it is hijacking the thread at all to mention some of the changes that continue to make shooting at a range, a bigger pain all the time.

That is one of the reasons I am looking for an open area to shoot. There are too many people, doing too many things, trying to follow too many rules when you are at a gun range.

I just prefer to be out in my own open area if possible. Thanks for the suggestions on the areas guys.
 
It is a lot closer to me than you, but you can take the I-10 west out to Buckeye, exit at Miller Rd, turn right, then turn left on a dirt road running past a rock quarry and look for a hillside to use as a backstop.

Poper said:
Considering the price of fuel these days, I think $7 to shoot at Ben Avery is a great value for you.
I appear there regularly and am always pleased at the control and organization displayed by the G&F personnel and volunteers.
Click to expand...
But this is also part of the problem. I prefer to shoot more than 15 minutes at a time without being, um, harangued by armed officers with bullhorns. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need for the safety rules, applied equally to everyone, but this is a bit much. I suppose I just don't like control and organization. ;)
 
I suppose I just don't like control and organization.
Click to expand...
I learned to appreciate organization and safety procedures while in the military. :) IMHO, the Range Masters are indispensable at BA due to the large number of participants. Also, if it weren't for the regular breaks, it would be difficult for late comers to get a bench. I like the regiment. I like the measured distances. I like the fact that on occasion, the guy shooting factory ammo nearby is a source of free OFB, too! :D

However, it is the unsupervised, undisciplined slobs that are leaving the trash in the "desert" shooting areas. You won't see that at BA.

On occasion, I too, am guilty of going out elsewhere to shoot. When I do, I always take a couple extra trash bags to take part of someone else's trash with me when I leave.
I wish everyone else would, too. :(

JM2C.

Poper
 
If you take the 87A highway out past Fountain hills you will run into Four Peaks road on your right (if you're traveling North). If you dont mind some dirt bikers its not a bad place to shoot. Gets full pretty early if the weather is good though so plan on an early trip. And please remember to take your trash out, its getting bad out there too.

PS: I think it is closed for fire restriction right now, you might want to check out the tonto national forest website, they have a map of the fire restrictions and effective dates

Luke
 
Rio Salado Sportsman's club is out past Power just about where the 202 ends. $6/day and very friendly people.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
  • Locked
67,000 legally carry concealed weapons in Arizona
2
Replies
35
Views
3K
Treylis
T
B
  • Locked
Tell me about Arizona
Replies
16
Views
966
Wil Terry
W
W
  • Locked
And this is the reason for Arizona's new law
Replies
1
Views
690
Art Eatman
A
Y
  • Locked
Phoenix AZ Range info Update!!
Replies
2
Views
682
Lennyjoe
Lennyjoe
J
  • Locked
Looking for spot to target shoot. CA residents only.
Replies
23
Views
5K
Mauserguy
M
Back
Top