target shooting on a National Forest

[UT PROSIM]

Me and a friend were hiking in a national forest a few weeks back and we found a great SAFE 800 yard lane (a rare occurrence in the thick Appalachian forests) Could we legally shoot on it? it is open for hunting and it also has a public range a less than a mile away. Is it a black and white yes or no? Or who should we call to find out?
Pat

 

[hermannr]

If it legal in your state, (that is, if this activity would be legal on your own private land) it is legal in the NF, (unless you may be violating some game law, there are some restricted areas because of protected game, but that would be a state regulation)

Other than that, it is perfectly legal to shoot in a safe manner in any NF.

 

[UT PROSIM]

Great thank for the info, i also have a large game hunting licensed so if wont conflict with hunting seasons.
Pat

 

[RETG]

Before going off and firing in a National Forest, there are some "general" Federal regulations to understand for National Forests and BLM lands (NPs have their own restrictions):

You cannot shoot within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed area; across a road, trail or body of water; and no shooting into a cave.

Some may actually have some other regs due to protected areas; and not just due to game laws or protected species. One example is BLM wilderness study areas are prohibited in most BLM field areas and not due to animals; and they are not necessarily well posted but it is up to you to know. Some forests also have wilderness areas. So it is best to check with a ranger for that forest or field area.

In addition, be careful you don't shoot from Federal lands onto private lands. There are some forests around here (Utah) that are speckled with private and state lands surrounded by NF lands and the signs are not well posted, but it is up to you to know.

Other than those suggestions, national forest and BLM follow state laws on weapons and that means in at least one state (North Carolina) you cannot carry a concealed weapon into the National Forests (and maybe even the National Park...not sure about that) since it is written into state law you cannot carry into a National Forest (maybe even a National park too?).



.

 

[medalguy]

A good idea is to get a land use map, maybe a USGS topo map will work, find the area that interests you, and see who regulates that particular area. Contact that agency and see what their specific rules and regulations are. I've found MOST agency people are pretty helpful.

 

[brickeyee]

Unless it has been identified as a range, NO.

Possession of arms in the National Forest in Virginia outside of hunting season or handguns for self defense in generally no allowed except at designated ranges.

 

[RETG]

From General Information & Hunting Regulations, Virginia.gov:
Valid Concealed Handgun Permit Holders May:

* Possess a concealed handgun during archery seasons, muzzleloader seasons, and general firearms seasons in counties where rifles are prohibited.
* Possess a concealed handgun on National Forest and Department lands during the closed season.
* Possess and transport a loaded concealed handgun in or on any vehicle on National Forest and Department lands.

 

[Minnesota Wild]

I know that it's legal to shoot in the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming and the Superior National Forest in Minnesota. Others I can't say. There are Department of Agriculture Forest Rangers at each national forest...I'd give them a call to find out about the laws in your forest.

 

[Cranky CJ]

pick up the phone and call the local office. if they say no, I'd ask for the source so you can read it yourself.

 

[franconialocal]

Go get a written permission note from the local ranger. That's really all you have to do in NH as far as using old log cuts for ranges, shooting in sandpits, etc. You don't need to do this with hunting as long as you have a NH hunting lic. and follow all the local rules about shooting near roads, buildings, and trailheads.