Places to go plinking in TX?

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I have already provided the necessary statue in Federal Code.

I NEVER stated that you could shoot in all areas of all National Forest.

I stated that you could shoot in any National Forest. And that you would have to follow certain rules.
 
I found this.

[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 36, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 36CFR261.10]

[Page 355-356]

TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER II--FOREST SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

PART 261--PROHIBITIONS--Table of Contents

Subpart A--General Prohibitions

Sec. 261.10 Occupancy and use.

The following are prohibited:
(a) Constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of road, trail,
structure, fence, enclosure, communication equipment, or other
improvement on National Forest system land or facilities without a
special-use authorization, contract, or approved operating plan.
(b) Taking possession of, occupying, or otherwise using National
Forest System lands for residential purposes without a special-use
authorization, or as otherwise authorized by Federal law or regulation.
(c) Selling or offering for sale any merchandise or conducting any
kind of work activity or service unless authorized by Federal law,
regulation, or special-use authorization.
(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking
human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:
(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite,
developed recreation site or occupied area, or
(2) Across or on a National Forest System road or a body of water
adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or
property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.
(3) Into or within any cave.

[[Page 356]]

(e) Abandoning any personal property.
(f) Placing a vehicle or other object in such a manner that it is an
impediment or hazard to the safety or convenience of any person.
(g) Commercial distribution of printed material without a special
use authorization.
(h) When commercially distributing printed material, delaying,
halting, or preventing administrative use of an area by the Forest
Service or other scheduled or existing uses or activities on National
Forest System lands; misrepresenting the purposes or affiliations of
those selling or distributing the material; or misrepresenting the
availability of the material without cost.
(i) Operating or using in or near a campsite, developed recreation
site, or over an adjacent body of water without a permit, any device
which produces noise, such as a radio, television, musical instrument,
motor or engine in such a manner and at such a time so as to
unreasonably disturb any person.
(j) Operating or using a public address system, whether fixed,
portable or vehicle mounted, in or near a campsite or developed
recreation site or over an adjacent body of water without a special-use
authorization.
(k) Use or occupancy of National Forest System land or facilities
without special-use authorization when such authorization is required.
(l) Violating any term or condition of a special-use authorization,
contract or approved operating plan.
(m) Failing to stop a vehicle when directed to do so by a Forest
Officer.
(n) Failing to pay any special use fee or other charges as required.
(o) Discharging or igniting a firecracker, rocket or other firework,
or explosive into or within any cave.

[42 FR 2957, Jan. 14, 1977, as amended at 46 FR 33520, June 30, 1981; 49
FR 25450, June 21, 1984; 53 FR 16550, May 10, 1988; 59 FR 31152, June
17, 1994; 60 FR 45295, Aug. 30, 1995; 66 FR 3218, Jan. 12, 2001]




(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking
 
Just to make things more confusing (I am really confused anyway, it sure seems like you need to be a lawyer to use these parks.....)

The entire Sam Houston National Forest is designated as a wildlife management area through a cooperative agreement between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Forest Service.



found here

The wildlife mange,emt rules seem pretty clear that no target shooting is allowed.
 
Quote: "Any Game Warden that gives you a ticket for target practice in a National Forest doesn't know what he/she is doing."

Once again, focusing on the large little word "any", let's hope that Game Warden Eddie does not have a brother near Sam Houston National Forest where someone we know says it is OK to go target shooting (without a "type II" permit). :rolleyes:

It appears that Martha Stewart and Co. might classify that as "NOT a good thing." ;)

Edited to summarize from quotes early in this thread:

M2 Carbine: "It's hard (impossible) to find a place to shoot unless someone lets you shoot on their place."

Greybeard: "Yes, these forums are a great way to share information. But it is very important to obtain and read the rules and regs. for each individual property."
 
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The problem isn't that I don't have real rifle ranges. I have a number of them within an hours drive. The problem is that I want to shoot past 100 yards, plink at some non paper targets and avoid paying $50 in range fees between me and a few friends.
 
BUMP.. Places to Plink in Texas

I have much family in the Walker County area around Huntsville. We used to go shoot at the Sam Houston National Forest area.. I heard years ago it was shut down. Does anyone have current information for this spot.. or EVEN BETTER FOR ME.. for any location in North Texas?

1. Any plinking locations in Houston area, Conroe area?
2. Any plinking locations in DFW area?

A. My brothers and I have been rebuilding some imported firearms and want to go plinking somewhere. Sometimes I really want to (honestly don't we all) rapid fire a clip outa my "whatever".

B. I also bought a civil war replica Mountain Howitzer Cannon recently and I want a place to shoot it (powder only in most cases.. maybe a onion or grapefruit on occasion)

C. Paper targets aren't fun and I delight in shooting fruit.. logs.. evil cans of soda.. etc. (honestly we all feel this way)

D. If you haven't personally heard what a 5" cannon shooting a six ounce charge of cannon grade black powder sounds like.. you should rush out and find yourself one immediately.

For reasons A through D I would love to have a great solution to questions 1 through 2. Any help?

Or.. any private land that allows plinking. I was at a gun shop in Fort Worth and overheard a customer talking with an employee about a private landowner that sold "year passes" to his property for a couple of hundred per year. I would do a backflip for the chance to go and shoot safely, but unencumbered by a typical rangemaster 'nazi'. I am willing to pay for such use.

Shooting my Mosin Nagant carbine at the rifle range makes the hunters up and down the line jump and glare at me.. I hate the scorn and elitism of the folks that GLARE at me when I am at the range. I just want to shoot some of my collectible guns, get my warm fuzzy feeling, clean up, and go home.

Anway..would love some feedback.

Thanks

TexasWolf
 
Plinking is a problem around Dallas. I lived there for 10 years and only shot at the outdoor range in Garland. I don't know if it is still there as they were getting a lot of flack as the city grew outward.

I wonder if you can shoot on Corp of Engineer Property along the lakes??

No national forest near Dallas. Closest is East Texas.
 
I grew up in Huntsville, and have busted many a cap in Them Guv'mint Woods, aka Sam Houston National Forest.

At one time there were two designated shooting areas around Huntsville, one near Stubblefield Lake mentioned several times in this thread, and also one on Four Notch Road near Phelps. The one on Four Notch Road was closed completely due to slob shooters, and also due to the Forest Service having to haul off a very dead Chevy Suburban that somebody brought out there, shot to pieces, and left there. The Stubblefield Lake Shooting Area is only open from September to January, also due to slob shooters leaving all of there crud out there. That is about it.

Also, the USFS has Law Enforcement Officers, and the one for Sam Houston National Forest will issue you a citation or take you to jail for shooting in a non designated area. There are several "safety zones" around camping areas and hiking trails that have no shooting allowed. Also, if you get a citation and choose to take it to court, you get to go to U.S. District Court...in Houston 70 miles away :).

Greybeard knows of what he speaks, listen to him.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
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To answer the OP......

Basically, no. Both Caddo National Grassland in Fannin and Hunt counties, and LBJ around Bowie prohibit plinking or target shooting.
The WMA's in Texas also prohibit target shooting too. I'm not too sure about National Forest lands in East Texas.
The problem in Texas is that when Texas joined the Union in 1845, Texas was allowed to retain title to all its public land. Most states gave their public lands over to the national government on acheiving statehood (just think of all the BLM land in Wyoming, Montana, and other western states).

Texas gave away (warrants to veterans for military service in various wars) or sold virtually ALL of the public lands within the state.

If you can afford to buy land here (or lease it at ever increasing fees) it's a great place to hunt (and shoot). If you're like most folks, you just have to pony up for range fees.

I just don't think Texas cares too much about the common folks.

Oklahoma and Louisiana both have public ranges that aren't too bad, and no fees at all. And I know there's LOTS more public hunting land in Oklahoma. Not sure about Louisiana.

And I'm pretty sure you can't target shoot or plink on Corps of Engineers land around the lakes either.
 
"6th floor of the Texas Schoolbook Depository or the Grassy Knoll just below it, on Commerce St. in Dallas. Water towers at the colleges are always a good choice, too."

Your remarks show a remarkable lack of good taste. Around here that's nothing to joke about. Not only is it not funny, it is remarkably senseless.
 
TexasWolf:
Any plinking locations in DFW area?

Public ranges:
http://www.elmfork.com/

Cost is 15.00, the website has all the information. The rifle range is bench only, and out is 300 yards. The facilities are nice, and covered. This is a great range for pistol lots of steel plates to shoot at.
TAC-PRO: 1 hour drive from FW
http://www.tacproshootingcenter.com/

Range fee is 15 for non members-ask the range officer about shooting fruit, not sure if they would allow it. However, you can get the clay targets and shoot the rifle with them. The ranges start from 25 yards, 100 yards, 200 yards. Bill Davison is the owner and he does have a 1000 yard range but you have to qualify. I don’t know if the 500 yard or 50 yard is ready yet. You can shoot standing, sitting, prone and bench. The range is rugged; bring your own chairs, water, etc. Check out the website for information on Bill. Oh and 50 cals are welcome here! Here you can shoot just about everything, the range officer will let you know where to shoot which guns and give you the safety briefing.
As for shooting cans- All the ranges I have been too in the DFW area does not allow people to shoot at cans. I guess it boils down to networking at the range and getting on people’s private property to shoot.
 
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