Does anyone get bored target shooting?

[Kinsman]

A pity that it's so hard to find a place to shoot in Colorado.

Do some diggin', I bet you can find a place close where you can shoot at cheap cans of pop, bottles of water.....

How 'bout some gopher shootin' on a ranch?

 

[Solarian]

I too get bored shooting at paper. That's why I usually load up the car and head to the hills - I usually shoot at my metal reset target, I just love that "ding."

However, I don't understand why folks cannot find places to shoot round Denver and I think I need to clear this up. I've lived here all my life and things have become more congested, but it ain't that bad. I live in the southwest suburbs and used to make the short drive to the Rampart Range area, but they've now made that area a motorbike recreation area and target practice is prohibited in most of the area north of Devil's Head. So, what did I do? I just found another place, my own little place, using my topo maps and my local knowledge of the state. I now primarily shoot in Pike Nat. Forest all by my lonesome - and it's less than 45 min. from Denver, the same time it would take to get to my club out east.

Basically, what do you need to find a place? A clear area with a backdrop that's 150 yards from a roadway or occupied area. Well, geeze, that's easy as the state's chaulked full of backdrops (mountains) and open land (Nat. forest, BLM). Park the car a walk a few minutes, you'll find them. So, get out your maps or GPS, get in that car and find your own little place to shoot.

For those that want to be told where to go, or want to shoot around strangers, and live in south Denver, here is one of many. Sorry, I don't have the coordinates in front of me. South Deckers Rd (RD. 126) from Buffalo Creek to Deckers. At about the overlook on the east side of the road south of FR 550 (overlooks the valley to Long Scraggy Peak, this is south of the long straight section where the Colorado Trail crosses the road) there are at least 3 places that folks regularly shoot. All 3 are less than 1/4 of a mile from 126 and are direct hits (meaning no extra turns once turn off 126), and the most used is on the west side and has a huge manmade backdrop - you cannot miss it once you exit the main road! I don't use them though, I prefer to be alone and not have to encounter others when shooting.

As far as my own little place, sorry, find your own, there's plenty of them out there in this wide-open and beautiful state.

 

[woooooOOO]

I live in California next to a national forest that has a range. It's the best place I've ever shot at. Nobody yells at you to ceasefire, you don't have to pay a dime, and you can bring all the 'interesting' targets you heart desires to blow up. On hot days you can sip some brews, nobody there to care.

If you live somewhere near a national forest, try to see if they have a range. Goodluck finding your shangri-la.

 

[mr_dove]

We actually do have a spot here in Colorado called "Left Hand Canyon". Its filled with people "sipping brews", shooting it up, and pointing their muzzles in whatever direction they please. They generally ignore all the 4 rules, actually.

this is a little off topic but I couldn't let pass a comment supporting drinking and shooting.

I'm of the mind that shooting and drinking NEVER mix. If for no other reason than because it portrays a very poor image of shooters. I see it kinda like the drunk drivers who say that its okay to drive because they only had a "few" beers. It doesn't take more than a beer or two to impair judgement. Even a little bit is way too much.

 

[MoNsTeR]

There's a spot in Pike Nat'l Forest that's only 60-75min or so drive from Denver. Gets crowded on the weekends though...
(Edit: I think this is one of the spots near Buffalo Creek mentioned above)

I started shooting USPSA last fall and I'm hooked. There's basically a match every weekend (www.ecouspsa.com/schedule.html), and all the clubs except Weld and Pueblo are short drives from Denver (and Weld's not that bad either). And you don't have to worry about making it out every week. Stop by this sunday up at Boulder and check it out!

 

[pbman]

I used to shoot, at a gravel pit on the side of the road, on hiway 36 north of boulder. Then we would stop at the "bus stop" in boulder on the way home. This was in the late 80's.

I belive their were/are similare spots in the rampart range sw of denver. Try hiway 85 to sedalia, then 67 up into the mountains.

I would try driving around, and looking.

 

[Carlos Cabeza]

Legend has it that somewhere around here in OK City, there's a "River" that numerous people have gone shooting... .50 BMG, tree stumps with shotguns, full auto; the trouble is, of every local shooter I've talked to, all have gone shooting there, but absolutely never have I ever been told exactly where this place is.

If I told ya I'd hafta kill ya ! J/K Dionysusigma! I wish I could help. In the old days you used to be able to go SW out of the city to shoot in the Canadian river basin but since Braum's bought alot of that area and a buncha rednecks shooting their cows and other mischief it will bring down the heat. (GAMERANGER) I currently share a lease with a friend that is several square miles with lots of natural backstop and pond dams. I drive about 1.0 to 1.5 hour each time I go so I usually stay all day and sometimes camp out. If I'm being lazy I'll go to the Lexinton WMA and shoot there. It's only a half hour drive from me. If you go there take some trashbags and clean up after the "LOSERS" who shoot bottles and leave all sorts of trash scattered every where.