Open land to shoot on near Vancouver, WA...help?

[allwayztrble]

I just moved up here from Southern California and am an avid "shooter". I am checking out several of the local ranges but am also interested in open, public land where it is legal to shoot targets and possibly camp. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to go either near Vancouver, WA or Portland, OR. I don't mind driving up to a couple of hours either. If you have any ideas, can you provide some fairly specific directions/info on the location also (as everything is new to me)!
Thanks in advance!

 

[12GA00buck]

places to shoot near Vancouver, WA

Theres a range in Hockinson, its a good facility 100-300 yard rifle range as well as a pistol range. Its about $15 dollars a day or you can pay a yearly membership, I think its around 120 and you have to be a NRA member to join. Hockinson's about a 10 min drive east of Vancouver, check a phone book for the address. If you keep driving past the range you'll end up on Larch mountain. There's an abundance of open land open to shooting. So many people shoot up there, you'll find many semi-established ranges just look for areas carpeted with brass and shot shells. In fishers landing theres another range called the English pit, I'm not sure if its open yet though.

 

[Run&Shoot]

National forest land is OK

You could try the National Frorest lands south/soutwest of Mt Hood. I think the USNF office is in Sandy, OR. They were VERY nice when I asked them a few years ago about places to shoot in the MT Hood National Forest. Basically anyplace is OK and they will give you a map of roads and marked gravel pits.

Also, there is the Douglas Ridge Rifle Club near Eagle Creek (southwest of Sandy). They even have 50 BMG shoots every month or week.

http://www.douglasridge.org/

I you go west of Portland on Hwy 26 toward Seaside there are many logging roads on State Forest lands that also allow shooting, I think around mileposts 34 - 24 or so.

I would be careful about using NF lands alone as there have been a couple of apparent abushes over the years of target shooters alone at a gravel pit.

I live in Hillsboro. If you ever want a shooting companion we could try to coordniate schedules for some weekend day. I plan to join the Tri-County club in Sherwood, (SW of Portland)
but every range has some restrictions and occassionally it would be nice to get out in the wilds. PM me and we can exchange contact info if you like.

When i have gone out on the State Forest lands I keep a loaded weapon with me at all times (walking to target area, reloading primary weapon, etc.), either in a hip holster or a rilfe in my hands and I stay aware of my surroundings.

 

[allwayztrble]

Thanks for the input...I have usually found when I call the local agencies about land like BLM, etc that you can shoot at, they are less than forth coming about shooting areas? That may have just been California though! By the way...I always keep one on me while target shooting too. Always gotta be prepared!

Anyone else have any ideas for open land places to go...maybe here in Washington?

 

[ChestyP]

You can also shoot on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) land in Washington. Maps are available at any DNR regional or ranger office.

DNR is adopting new land use regulations that will require you to carry out whatever you carry in -- including brass. It also includes target materials, except clay pigeon residue! Prohibited are shooting across roads, trails or over water, and shooting into live trees.

 

[jws]

Out Hwy 14, just immediately past the Bridge of the Gods is a public outdoor range sponsored by Skamania County. (Go East on 14 and take the first left after you pass Bridge of the Gods. Follow the signs).

Two shooting alleys, probably about 25-50 yards deep. maybe more.

Free!