Public Land Shooting and High Fire Danger

[nrpate05]

Given the hot and dry summer we're having across the west and the fires that seem to pop up constantly, I'm curious on the attitude you all have for recreational shooting on public land. I have a spot about 15 minutes from my house where I can sight in my rifle and then shoot to about 450 yards. It's really convenient and beats going to the actual rifle range most of the time. Our local forest just entered stage one fire restrictions and it is really crispy up there. Do you guys shoot when conditions are like this? Are you worried of sparking up a new blaze? Is shooting a paper target better than steel? I get a little uneasy, but realize the chances of it happening are slim. Just looking for thoughts. Pray for rain!

 

[wytex]

I just Googled wildfires caused by shooting and pages popped up. Pretty sure one of the big fires in the Snowy Range was caused by shooters so yes I'd be concerned.

 

[TOGIE]

if it's crispy out it should definitely be something you're thinking about.

doesn't mean you can't go. just think about the locale your using. are you shooting at steel surrounded by dry grass and rocks? or just checking zero, like you are, with cardboard and paper into a dirt embankment.

common sense IMO.

i'd check to be sure, sometimes they can enact recreational shooting restrictions during stage 1. but usually it's a stage 2 thing afaik

 

[Jack Ryan]

I'd guess shooters smoking cigarettes are a bigger fire danger than bullets.

 

[Jnasa]

If conditions are this hot and dry I would avoid it. Can often still go but use sense. Possibly morning if there is dew or after a rain if there is one. I know Fish and Game shut down one local public land range due to fire danger.

Regarding steel or paper extreme caution should be used shooting steel. I would not be shooting steel in these conditions.

When I was a kid my dad and I were sighting in rifles at a public shooting range. A couple of idiots decided to start shooting off range at a steel plate on a hill. They started a fire that took off. Luckily a bunch of shooters and volunteers got it contained. Then the fire fighters were able to get it extinguished. Could have been a disaster for a bunch of Mule Deer habitat.

For me personally it's worth paying for a membership or the daily fee to shoot at a range in these conditions. I don't want to cause a fire.

 

[KG406]

From this mornings fire restrictions meeting for the Billings area, some graphics the DNRC is wanting to get shared with the public. Like everything else, common sense goes a long ways...

 

[mtmiller]

It's really convenient and beats going to the actual rifle range most of the time.

I would have concerns about financial liability if things got western and as you posted, it isn't your only option.

 

[brymoore]

I need to finish sighting in my rifle. It’s almost done. I was going to go to my public land spot on Sunday but decided starting a fire, no matter the small chance, wasn’t smart. I’m going to a rifle range to finish the process.

 

[Wyoming270]

Depends on what your doing. If your shooting lead and copper 270 win at paper from a 24" barrel, not likely.

If your shooting incindiary, titanium bullets, milsurp steel bullets at rocks, anything black powder, or the rediculous shotgun shells in pistols then the odds are high.

For me im not against shooting on public land but id rather sight in rifles off a bench rest at the local club. I do dislike the guys who shoot clays on public land.

Some places the forest service has enacted seasonal bans on recreational shooting but i think thats more of not shooting dopes on side by sides than fire concern.

 

[elkduds]

We've had Stage 2 Fire Bans in many CO counties this summer, recreational shooting entirely prohibited. Still, from Park County FB this weekend:

Michele Arlene
·

Shooting out on 77 too.





Jeffrey Robins
·

I've had to confront 2 groups of people off of 53 today for shooting! Even had one point a gun at me! They hide it real quick when you get out of the vehicle!

Mike Brake
·

I turned in a silver Chevy Silverado today that was shooting on private property at Elkhart and Cathy drive. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t their property. They left before the sheriff could get there.







Beth Toney
·

Oh yes. Friday too.





Brian Backcountry
·

Yep, someone shot close to 100 rounds in 20 minutes deep up Salt creek road around 7:40






Julie Cummings
·

Someone was shooting on Michgan hill this morning

 

[Gr8bawana]

The 15k acre Bug fire that is currently encroaching on Sun Valley just north of Reno/Sparks was started by target shooters.

 

[Bonasababy]

I would avoid it for another reason...the ease of starting a fire with your vehicle parked in dry vegetation. Seen that start some big costly fires here.

So much nicer to shoot at a formal range for me, but then 100 yards is suitable for my hunting.

 

[elkduds]

I would avoid it for another reason...the ease of starting a fire with your vehicle parked in dry vegetation. Seen that start some big costly fires here.

So much nicer to shoot at a formal range for me, but then 100 yards is suitable for my hunting.

Always a shovel and fire extinguisher in my truck these days, and absolutely avoiding parking on dry vegetation.