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#1
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High desert BLM shooters GET IN HERE! *** OP Edited 10/11/19 ***
*** 10/11/19 Edit to original post ***
Three additional people have contacted Barstow BLM office and notified me they got the same response from other rangers. There is, in fact, a TEMPORARY shooting closure for this region potentially through the end of October 2019, though depending on conditions may extend into early November. ************************************************** ************ Consider this a PSA which hopefully isn't necessary. I called the Barstow District BLM office today about 1:30 pm to ask about fire restrictions and if permits are required for a charcoal grill. I told the ranger who answered that I was going to be north of the Calico mountains for shooting and wanted to know if I could have open flame. What he said surprised the hell out of me. First he said there was a Stage 2 fire condition and that no open fires were allowed. OK. Then he said that there is no legal shooting in all of San Bernardino County. What? I reminded him that I will be north of HWY 58 and in the NW area of the Calico Mountains. He said again that it is not legal to shoot there. This is the current BLM shooting closure map as of 10/11/19........ the shooting closure in effect right now is not shown on this map. It has not been updated by BLM yet. Is somebody willing to call them up and verify what this yahoo is claiming? I didn't get his name, but he is a black guy. Before someone claims I'm racist, if you can't identify an African American voice by sound alone, you've led a sheltered life. ***** No need to call to verify ***** Barstow District BLM office (760) 252-6000 Last edited by desertrider; 10-11-2019 at 9:37 AM.. |
#2
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Probably something was "lost in translation" here.
In addition to the stage 2 fire restrictions, most of southern cal blm land is also currently closed for recreational (target) shooting due to the fire hazard. Only open BLM land right now is in Imperial county. |
#3
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The fire restrictions really complicate things.
I was recently in the Sierras and the fire restrictions are very complicated. If you know exactly where you are going to camp you can research ahead of time, but if not and there is no internet access (likely), trying to figure out exactly which areas fires are allowed and which aren't gets a little difficult. I also found that some closure signs disagreed with what was indicated on web pages. It's not easy navigating the "red tape" these days. Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk |
#4
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This happen last year also.
When the fire restrictions go into effect on BLM land. No shooting. Also a couple of years ago. No more bimetal ammo. No steel core allowed on BLM land.
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Been gone too long. It's been 15 to 20 years since i had to shelf my guns. Those early years sucked. I really miss the good old Pomona Gun Shows. I'm Back. |
#5
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Not according to this map found on their website. Shooting is prohibited only in red/hashed areas(stage III). Now, open fires are a no no unless in a designated campgrounds.
https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/fi...ooting-508.pdf https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/fi...508%283%29.pdf Last edited by Notpc; 10-08-2019 at 2:45 PM.. |
#6
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Are places like Hodge rd. exempt because its private land?
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It takes a lot of balls to play golf the way I do. Happiness is a warm gun. MLC, First 3 |
#7
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Unless they have failed to update the map, there are no restrictions on shooting from around Hodge and points north/east from there.
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#8
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"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms, disarm only those who are neither inclined, nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1764 *Excerpts from "On Crimes and Punishment" by Cesare Beccaria |
#9
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https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-...e-restrictions Scroll down to CALIFORNIA DESERT DISTRICT and check it out. Last edited by Notpc; 10-08-2019 at 3:32 PM.. |
#10
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That document very clearly identifies where it is legal to shoot, and the same info has been around for years. The guy I spoke with at the BLM office just made a blanket statement that there is no shooting anywhere in San Bernardino County. The most recent BLM Order that I've seen regarding Recreational Shooting is dated 4/10/2019, and it conflicts with what the ranger states. I'll stick with the most recent BLM Order. |
#11
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Other than much of the area being posted (signs) as SHOTGUN ONLY.
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#13
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The image is large, scroll to the right for shooting restriction info....... |
#14
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That, for the most part, is in the Hodge and Outlet Center OHV area east of I15.
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#16
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Right now the NWS Barstow forecast is: Quote:
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#17
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I sent an email Monday and this is the response I received today:
"Good Afternoon Del, At this time there is no target shooting on BLM Managed Public Lands in the Barstow Field Office jurisdiction due to Fire restrictions. The lift could be late October but that will depend on the conditions, it has ran as far as November. If you like you may contact Barstow Field Office at 760 252-60000 for further updates, Our office hours re 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday-Friday Hope this is a hep to you. Have a great day. ' Respectfully, " So it would appear the BLM agent the OP spoke to was correct, maybe it was not explained as well...but he was correct that for the time being, there is a restriction on recreational shooting. Good news is, it looks like they may lift the restriction by late October or early November. Phone number is in the email response I received. Call ahead if you're planning on going up to the high desert for camping and/or shooting. Be respectful. I know all of my fellow Calgunners are courteous to Law Enforcement and Public Workers, but it's always a good idea to represent our community in a positive light. Hope that helps.
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"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms, disarm only those who are neither inclined, nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1764 *Excerpts from "On Crimes and Punishment" by Cesare Beccaria |
#18
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Guys, I'm just a member and not trying to sell anything... but even though I live in Big Bear now I still maintain my Apple Valley Gun Club membership. It's a great facility that has no silly range officers or firing speed restrictions, they treat you like an adult until you prove otherwise. It's about 20 miles closer to the basin than Hodge Rd. right off of I-15 and much safer.
It might not be for everyone, but it's a great facility that's safe and virtually always open for shooting except when there are organized event which are clearly posted on the website. Big bore rifle out to 400 yards. Plenty of pistol lanes and benches. Free paper targets and a lot of steel. Good trap range(s). Indoor rimfire. Archery.
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Buy made in USA whenever possible. |
#19
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I am also a member of the Apple Valley Gun Club, and like it very much. You have to attend a membership meeting, obtain a sponsor (there are lots who volunteer to be your sponsor,) attend a work party and orientation plus pay the fees.
It is not open to the public, though non-members can shoot in scheduled events for a small fee. You can google them for the website which has all the info and a calendar of events. |
#21
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I think it is just easier for them to say "no target shooting". There isn't anything on their website to back up what is being written here. You would think that to to have any legal standing, there would need to be a notice posted.
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#22
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Three additional people have contacted the office and notified me that they got the same response. I double checked the current BLM map that shows both fire and shooting closures, and while the fire restrictions show Stage II for Barstow Region, it does not show shooting restrictions. I posted a pic of that map with today's date in the edited OP. Either way, the rangers in the Barstow District are saying no shooting. I just know that if I'm gonna drive that far for a day of shooting, I'd hate to have a Ranger tell me to pack it up. All the time driving and setting up isn't worth the gamble for me. |
#23
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Good thread, this is one of the great benefits to the Calguns Community...collective information. I have a large group trip planned for next month, and this definitely helps reduce any conflicts we may have had.
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"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms, disarm only those who are neither inclined, nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -- Thomas Jefferson, 1764 *Excerpts from "On Crimes and Punishment" by Cesare Beccaria |
#24
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The ranger said the closure should end by the end of October, early November at the latest. I'll be checking again, I'm rescheduling this weekends planned trip for 10/26. |
#25
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I have driven by Hodge Rd. four times this weekend (round trips), and both times the shooting areas were full. Still thinking the info the BLM is putting out is, uuummm, well, less than truthful. Hodge shooters check in, any trouble with the BLM this weekend?
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#26
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It was mentioned in another thread (IIRC) Hodge Rd is private property. The area I go shooting is also private property that's surrounded by BLM land.
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It takes a lot of balls to play golf the way I do. Happiness is a warm gun. MLC, First 3 |
#27
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I spent 2 hours at hodge this morning and it was fine. Plenty of people and I saw a sheriff sitting in the exit ramp and he didn’t seem to care. No rangers tho
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#28
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I'm courious what "rangers" show up at Hodge, BLM?
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It takes a lot of balls to play golf the way I do. Happiness is a warm gun. MLC, First 3 Last edited by golfish; 10-14-2019 at 2:16 PM.. |
#29
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No idea but I would assume. If it’s no shooting you would think BLM rangers would come and say something. This was my first time up there.
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#30
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Thanks for checking in with your experiences nyla. I am no really sure where the freeway easement ends and private property boundaries begin. I have always been a little concerned with how close the majority of the shooting takes place to the actual road/off ramp area. I don't personally shoot anywhere near there. Ever notice that the cell tower was relocated across to the other side of the freeway?
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#31
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I am very close to Hodge but only go on week days. There are always people shooting there. I have never seen ANY law enforcement approach anyone there. I wouldn't want to approach large groups of people with guns and tell them to leave either.
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I think they would rather sacrifice that one spot that is mostly full of idiots than have them go further out and destroy other areas of the desert. |
#32
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I am very lucky to be only about 10 min from my shooting area. We seldom run into anyone. Occasionally someone sets up to shoot long distance towards my planned setup spot, so I end up moving further out. It's a public spot, can't complain, and it happens very rarely.
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