Panoche & Tumey Hills BLM questions???

[SamC]

All restrictions lifted. Happy shooting!

[pogen]

Originally Posted by SamC

All restrictions lifted. Happy shooting!

Yep, I finally read the announcement

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bl...opening-target

[Pedram1911]

So does this thread turn into a shooting date? I recently purchased a 308 rifle I want to break it in. But it's in jail still. Soon my friend soon....

[Nebbiolo]

Originally Posted by Pedram1911

So does this thread turn into a shooting date? I recently purchased a 308 rifle I want to break it in. But it's in jail still. Soon my friend soon....

Sighted in my new 700 5R in 308 just before Xmas at Sunnyvale Rod and Gun. Also looking to get into some longer ranges - shooting the same hole at 100 yds gets old very quickly!

Any fresh reports or specifics on areas to set up 500-1K yds appreciated. Hoping to check out Panoche Hills soon.

[Pedram1911]

I would be up for a visit. I hear this place come up from every gun owner I know around here. Never been, not sure what to expect. Took my 308 out a few weeks ago. I think I could use a longer range to plink around with.

[Blue]

Group trip? Anyone?

[Pedram1911]

I have most of January and February open. I would prefer a weekend. Also own a 4x4 and camping gear. Normally I would go on a Friday after work around 5 pm and come home by Sunday evening.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Pedram1911

I have most of January and February open. I would prefer a weekend. Also own a 4x4 and camping gear. Normally I would go on a Friday after work around 5 pm and come home by Sunday evening.

I have Friday’s Saturday’s and sundays off. I’m game probably whenever you guys are.

[Pedram1911]

Let me talk with a few guys and see if I can get something solid on dates. Either way I'm open to suggestions. Not sure what you guys normally use as targets but I work in a sheet metal shop and I have access to all kinds of metal. I also weld for fun so I could build something to bring life to the party.

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Pedram1911

Let me talk with a few guys and see if I can get something solid on dates. Either way I'm open to suggestions. Not sure what you guys normally use as targets but I work in a sheet metal shop and I have access to all kinds of metal. I also weld for fun so I could build something to bring life to the party.

I have a cnc plasma cutter at my disposal if anyone wants to send me some files to cut out

[Nebbiolo]

^Sounds good guys, count me in - I'll drive down for a day.

[Lamski]

I'm interested also as long as we can do some longer range shooting as well. Need to stretch my 6.5 out a little further then the 100yds we are limited to here at the ranges.

[BiggyMcwang]

I'm down as well, hopefully new scope comes in time.

[xugz0212]

Any group trip there? Never been there but would like to give it a shot for my bergara 308. Available on most Fri, Sat and Sun and some Mon as well.

[Pedram1911]

I picked up another rifle. I have more choices to use now. Still need range time. I picked up some targets and trying to decide on scopes for everything. I guess another thread for that. But I'm still open to weekends. Just not this coming weekend. How does the next 2 weeks look for everyone?

[BiggyMcwang]

I'm planning to go soon as I got new glass for the rem700. Need to build a steel target before tho

[xugz0212]

im planning to go in early March as my Febuary is fully packed.


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[DDRH]

Anyone know if Panoche Gate is open? I'm planning to go President's day weekend. probably go during the weekday so i can find a good spot to shoot and camp for the weekend...600+ yards.

I think i found a spot using some maps. But don't want to drive there and the gate is closed.

have you guys gone on a CAlguns planned trip yet?

[NapalmCheese]

Originally Posted by DDRH

Anyone know if Panoche Gate is open? I'm planning to go President's day weekend. probably go during the weekday so i can find a good spot to shoot and camp for the weekend...600+ yards.

I think i found a spot using some maps. But don't want to drive there and the gate is closed.

have you guys gone on a CAlguns planned trip yet?

Opens at the beginning of bird season (mid Oct) and closes mid April or so.

[xugz0212]

Originally Posted by NapalmCheese

Opens at the beginning of bird season (mid Oct) and closes mid April or so.

So it cannot be accessed from april to oct? Or just no access for vehicle but still accessable by foot?


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[NapalmCheese]

Originally Posted by xugz0212

So it cannot be accessed from april to oct? Or just no access for vehicle but still accessable by foot?


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No access by vehicle.
Panoche has a very long walk from the closed gate to any shooting area during that time.

Tumey is also closed to vehicular traffic, but is much easier to access by foot after the gate is closed.

[DDRH]

Originally Posted by NapalmCheese

Opens at the beginning of bird season (mid Oct) and closes mid April or so.

Thanks, just wanted to check.

How's wireless service out there? AT&T, T-MOB, VERIZON, SPRINT?

[NapalmCheese]

Originally Posted by DDRH

Thanks, just wanted to check.

How's wireless service out there? AT&T, T-MOB, VERIZON, SPRINT?

Spotty and unreliable last I checked.

[phdo]

Originally Posted by DDRH

Thanks, just wanted to check.



How's wireless service out there? AT&T, T-MOB, VERIZON, SPRINT?

Bring walkie talkies.

[Nebbiolo]

Should be able to pay someone with private land. 5-10 people throwing 50 bucks each at a guy renting a farm somewhere - has anyone looked into this? The idea of getting out to BLM is great, but making the 2hr drive each way is annoying... I've been hitting Sunnyvale Rod and Gun every week instead - but 100yds looks closer and closer each time I go.

[phdo]

Originally Posted by Nebbiolo

Should be able to pay someone with private land. 5-10 people throwing 50 bucks each at a guy renting a farm somewhere - has anyone looked into this? The idea of getting out to BLM is great, but making the 2hr drive each way is annoying... I've been hitting Sunnyvale Rod and Gun every week instead - but 100yds looks closer and closer each time I go.

I’m willing to throw in money on this. It’ll be even sweeter if they have animals to hunt.

[seany]

I'll probably be out there the weekend of the 14th.

[Leonidimus]

Does anyone know when they close Panoche access road this year - April 15th (Sunday) or 16th?

[seany]

We're going to be coming home on Sat for reasons other than the date. If we encounter a ranger I'll ask.
We'll be in a green suburban and monitoring 2m calling (146.520) if anyone else is out there.

[emtmark]

For the record it’s a much nicer drive in from i5 San benito has let the road go to absolute crap


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[seany]

I always take i5 to Shields Ave/Little Panoche Rd. That sides had a bunch of repaving done over the last year or so.

I've done the Hollister route a few times, it always seems to take a lot longer, no matter what googles time estimate is.

[BiggyMcwang]

I'm heading out to Panoche/Tumey in about 1.5 weeks. It is after when the roads usually will be closed (16th) but maybe the late rains will delay it. Panoche If open, Tumey if they are closed then so I don't have to lug steel far.

My first time being there.

[2k1typeSH]

Originally Posted by Leonidimus

Does anyone know when they close Panoche access road this year - April 15th (Sunday) or 16th?

On April 5th, I emailed BLM regarding the closure.

This was the response I received:

xxxxx,

The gates at Panoche and Tumey Hills will close to vehicle access on April 15th.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Spitzer

[Leonidimus]

Originally Posted by 2k1typeSH

...
The gates at Panoche and Tumey Hills will close to vehicle access on April 15th.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Spitzer

Thanks! I'll just go to Quail Valley range this weekend then.

A todo item for the summer: find a shooting spot in Stanislaus nat-l forest.

[emtmark]

There are a lot please leave them better than you found them


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[jconfus]

Originally Posted by Leonidimus

Thanks! I'll just go to Quail Valley range this weekend then.



A todo item for the summer: find a shooting spot in Stanislaus nat-l forest.

Never heard of this place. Still $80 a day?
How is it?
Is it open every weekend?



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[Leonidimus]

Originally Posted by jconfus

Never heard of this place. Still $80 a day?
How is it?
Is it open every weekend?

Quail Valley? It's a small private range and I've only been there once. They suspended operation for now until they get the county approvals. If you want to follow updates, they have a closed group on Facebook you can join.

[jconfus]

Originally Posted by Leonidimus

Quail Valley? It's a small private range and I've only been there once. They suspended operation for now until they get the county approvals. If you want to follow updates, they have a closed group on Facebook you can join.

Yes.
Thanks.


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[soqueljake]

Does anyone ever hike in once the gates close? I've found a few 1000+ yard spots to shoot with good backdrop, it's a small hike in but worth it, usually pretty far from the masses of casual shooters up front you always see.

[ghilligan]

I hiked in at the second gate (farther from the freeway) on the south side of Panoche Rd. last weekend.

Problem is, after about 1/4 mile or so, all the dirt roads lead to a second set of gates and barbed wire fences, running roughly east to west. It appears that there is private cattle grazing land past this second set of fencing.

Maps indicate that this is all BLM land. I'm not sure if we're allowed to cross the fence, hike up the hill past the cattle, and set up targets farther from the road. There was a rancher buzzing around on a quad on one of the roads in the distance, but he never got close enough for me to ask if this land was off limits.

I called Adam Wilde at the BLM office, and he assured me this is OK to cross the fence and continue into the hills.

In the 1/4 mile swath of land between Panoche Rd. and the cattle fencing, there are so many criss-crossing paths that it is not really possible to set up ranges beyond 200 or 300 yards with a decent backdrop without shooting across a roadway.

Has anyone hiked in farther south past the cattle fencing?