Shooting in national parks in WA

[rampantandroid]

Hi all,

Can someone fill me in on the laws and rules on shooting in a national park like the Mt Baker National Forest in WA? As I understand it, federal laws say I can do it if I am not firing near people, or over a road, shooting at rocks or trees.

A friend is saying however that WA is limiting where you can shoot and creating "no shooting" areas. Is this true? Where can I shoot in national parks? Does state even have the ability to enforce laws on national park ground? (isn't it federal land?)

Thanks!

 

[WNC Seabee]

You need to be careful with the specific language you're using...

a National PARK is not the same as a National Forest. Those terms are not interchangeable.

Generally speaking, you cannot target shoot on Park land, but you can on Forest land. That is a general statement, each unit (each Forest) will have its own regulations or prohibited areas.

EDIT: Here's a link to the specifc National Forest you're asking about and their rules on Target Shooting:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/hunting

 

[rampantandroid]

Good clarification. I'm referring to Mt Baker-Snoqualmie national forest right here.

From this page:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5194288

I assume I can hike up a ways into the forest and go to town? Can a Sheriff or local cop tell me to stop if I am obeying those rules and signs?

Actually, this:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299246.pdf

 

[hermannr]

Hi all,

Can someone fill me in on the laws and rules on shooting in a national park like the Mt Baker National Forest in WA? As I understand it, federal laws say I can do it if I am not firing near people, or over a road, shooting at rocks or trees.

A friend is saying however that WA is limiting where you can shoot and creating "no shooting" areas. Is this true? Where can I shoot in national parks? Does state even have the ability to enforce laws on national park ground? (isn't it federal land?)

Thanks!

Mount Baker National Forest is a national forest, you can shoot, hunt etc at will as long as you do so safely and clean up after yourself. To shoot in a National FOREST is totally different than shooting in a National PARK...such as the North Cascades National PARK...when shooting is limited to SD situations...no plinking allowed.

Ross Lake National RECREATIONAL and the Mt Baker National Recreational Area area is administered by the North Cascades National Park, and is generally considered part of it...however you can hunt in the RLNRA and the MBNRA, so therefore, shooting would not be restricted to SD only. Remember..safety first...and ALWAYS clean up, (even the other guys) trash and empties.

The National Wilderness areas (such as the Pasayten) you may also hunt, and shoot, not just in an SD situation.

Remember, in WA you can carry, open or concealed, while you are going to, coming from and when participating in an outdoor recreational activity, without a CPL RCW 9.41.060(8). I would strongly encourage open carry when hiking.

To answer the "no shooting" areas statement. Yes, there are a couple closed places down around Sultan (like the Sultan basin gravel pit) where irresponsible shooters have gotten the area closed...not just to shooting...closed.

 

[hermannr]

Good clarification. I'm referring to Mt Baker-Snoqualmie national forest right here.

From this page:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5194288

I assume I can hike up a ways into the forest and go to town? Can a Sheriff or local cop tell me to stop if I am obeying those rules and signs?

Actually, this:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5299246.pdf

Just from your questions you sound kind of young...where in the MBSNF are you planning on going. That National forest covers many counties.

Generally speaking, if you get back in a lightly used area, you will not encounter anyone, LE or otherwise. However, there are some places that have very high receational traffic, and I would not shoot there at all (except for SD) specifically because of the safety hazzard...you can never know when someone else may come out of the woods...OK? The closer to Seattle metro, the higher the use...the closer to Seattle metro, the less safe it is to shoot. You might also want to read F&W hunting regs. There are areas that are retricted to Shotgun and archery hunting only...strictly because of safety issues...those restricted shooting areas are for all year, not just hunting season.

May I add another word of caution...just because it is legal, does not mean it is wise....Top priority...Safety First!!!!

 

[Mainsail]

Great replies all around. It's VERY important to know the difference between Park, Forest, Wilderness, and State forests, as the rules vary between almost a free-fire zones to get-caught-go-to-jail zones.

You don't necessarily need to hike in to shoot, as there are many miles of FS logging roads to access areas. Know the common sense rules, like being sure of your backstop etc. Also, you cannot shoot from the roadside or across any road, towards a building, etc. Be especially aware of nearby trails, as some will parallel a road for a ways.

Your best bet is to scour the regional forums for places already known to be safe for target shooting.

 

[A strange person]

there are some places that have very high receational traffic, and I would not shoot there at all (except for SD) specifically because of the safety hazzard...you can never know when someone else may come out of the woods...OK?

I don't know what the terrain is like in WA, but here in the northeast, one is never more than a stone's throw away from a hillside, which makes for a 100% safe backstop. I have no qualms about doing my shooting in the woods if the local range is too crowded for my tastes.

 

[VPLthrneck]

I assume I can hike up a ways into the forest and go to town? Can a Sheriff or local cop tell me to stop if I am obeying those rules and signs?

Actually, this:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_...rdb5299246.pdf

When in doubt of anything related to USFS land call the local district office, and always check the website of the Forest you are going to.

Read that closure notice that you linked to and it will clearly point out the large area that you are not allowed to shoot in. The maps in that notice are very helpful to where you can and cannot shoot at. However, if you are going in there during hunting season the entire area is open for shooting, but you better be hunting or the penalties can get to some serious dollars.

As for your question about if the State/Local Law Enforcement can stop you/cite you on Forest Service land the answer is a deffinate yes: but only if you are breaking the law. Generally you won't see State/Local Law unless you are in a recreation site or on a paved road. You might see State Game and Fish people though depending on the time of year I know this because I work for the USFS and we often have the sheriffs office assisting with matters. Also even if you come across most Forest Service personel they have authority to cite you even if they are not badge Law Enforcement; it's called being a Forest Protection Officer.

As far as target shooting on FS lands, just clean up after yourself. I always bring a large garbage bag with be and fill it up when I leave: my stuff and everything else I find out there. Don't give any reason for the FS to want to shut down more areas to shooting.

 

[Leanwolf]

I strongly suggest that you do not go into the Nat'l. Forest during deer and elk seasons and just start cranking off rounds. There are always deer and elk hunters in the forests, plus, sometimes, family members and friends in camp. Just because you don't see a camp, does not mean there might not be one not far away.

It is not good "gun manners" to send bullets flying around when other people might be in the line-of- fire, or deliberately disturb the animals the hunters are seeking. Lots of random gunfire can do that.

Go before or after elk and deer seasons are over and you'll not find irate hunters angry because you're scaring the game animals.

L.W.

 

[hermannr]

I think I will add one more thing here, Mount Baker National Forest and the Snoqualmie National Forest used to be two separate National Forests. They were combined years ago and now operate as two ranger districts (of several ranger districts).

If you read the "exhibit A" carefully you will see the "no shooting zone" is really exactly what I was talking about...in a very high usage area just east of Seattle. Even without the closure I would not shoot in that zone (except for SD) ever...even hunting...way to high usage.

There are half a million acres North and South of that closure, no need top go where most of the people will be just hiking. Interesting the Sultan Basin doesn't seem to be closed any more...wouldn't suggest you go there either....too many people.

To the guy that doesn't know the area...MBSNF ranges from about 100' ASL to over 10,000" ASL. It is Mountainous, can be VERY steep, and very rocky.