Panoche & Tumey Hills BLM questions???

[soqueljake]

Yes, those cattle belong to a man named AJ(if we are thinking of the same area) I met him out there and he said the is an easement for the lease of blm property, he pays $3/head per cattle a month. Random info, I know. But just clarifying. But ultimately it is BLM land and you have complete access to it all. His only request was don't shoot at the cattle and if there are cattle near your metals targets to just kind of move them away if possible to prevent bullet fragments hitting the cattle.

Aside from that he was cool, I want to say he said he was associated with Asher ranch and there are roughly 10k cattle out in those hills. Don't route me on that.

[ghilligan]

Thanks for the info about the cattle.

I hiked in last weekend, heading south past the cattle fencing, and within half a mile or so found some great spots to set up targets from about 200 to 600 yards. Even though the hills go on seemingly forever, it's hard to find shooting positions and target backdrops that don't cross over a path or road.
I saw a few spots to set up targets out to maybe 1300 yards.

There were small groups of cattle roaming everywhere, and a few times they wandered across my targets or shooting lines. Since the terrain is so hilly, you often can't see them coming until they appear in front of your shooting line. I just waited a few minutes until they wandered off.

At some point, a rancher drove by in a pickup truck, about a quarter mile away. I waited until he was well out of sight before I resumed shooting.

Sadly, there are spots even well into the hills away from Panoche Rd. that are littered with shooting trash, casings, shot shells, and bottles.

Also a little unsettling, even though the closest other groups of shooters were over half a mile away at various spots along Panoche Rd., I heard 3 bullets or ricochets fly past nearby during my day. Maybe people aren't using backdrops, or are assuming that the hills in the distance are empty, and therefore are an adequate backdrop.

[DVSride]

Came back from Tumey Hill yesterday. Even though you can't go off trail found a decent spot to shoot before it got too hot. One thing I noticed which I'm sure other shooters are aware of this the garage left behind. 1 of the worst spot right off the road is between gate 1 and 2 shooting downhill to the right before the curb; tires with rims, target stands, beer cans, just garbage etc. One thing everything has in common is the amount of shotgun shell hulls left behind. I've seen other BLM have organized clean up but has anyone done one for Tumey? I tossed like 4 garbage bags full by the McDonald's by the exit. Just curious as even though it's not as bad as some other places I seen; I'd hate to see it shut down due to trash as I've seen other have

[jconfus]

Sorry. Edited it.

[soqueljake]

Its quite pathetic people shoot and dont pick up after themselves, just goes to show peoples general lack of respect. wish i could find out who they are and just dump a bunch of trash at their house, i kind of wish they would shut it down to preserve land. But its also my go to, maybe we can have blm post warnings about imposing a $10k fine for leaving behind trash

[acegunnr]

No target shooting in Panoche and other BLM starting August 1 due to fire restrictions.

https://benitolink.com/news/fire-dan...s-public-lands

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[SCruzsurfer]

Originally Posted by soqueljake

Its quite pathetic people shoot and dont pick up after themselves, just goes to show peoples general lack of respect. wish i could find out who they are and just dump a bunch of trash at their house, i kind of wish they would shut it down to preserve land. But its also my go to, maybe we can have blm post warnings about imposing a $10k fine for leaving behind trash

For what it's worth, I always pack out more than I bring in, and I'd be happy to participate in an organized clean-up if one is scheduled. I know most of us are good stewards of the land, but a few 'bad apples' make it look bad for the rest of us. Here's hoping the shooting restrictions are lifted on Oct. 15th like usual.

[lath]

Tumey and Panoche are still closed to target shooting and I'm going nuts. They need to focus on what is causing the spark. That is steel core and exploding targets. Copper and lead do not spark.

[ghilligan]

FWIW, I'm also going nuts waiting for Panoche and/or Tumey Hills to lift the shooting restriction.

I'm a bit worried about the sparks, though.

This past weekend, I went out to the range at Spenceville to do some short-range rapid fire practice (in other words, I was sick of squeezing off one shot every 4 seconds at my local ranges, and was just having fun).

The sun was setting and it was getting dark. I was shooting 7.62x39 FMJ lead core ammo at my AR500 gong at about 25 yards, and could see sparks flying off the target all over the place, roughly every other shot from a 10-round magazine dump.

I'm guessing the sparks were coming off the steel plate.

Last year, I saw a grass fire start at the Livermore range. Not sure how that happened, since I'm pretty sure they use paper targets on wooden stands.

Just saying.

[lath]

I'm going nuts as well. I typically go to Tumey a few times every month except when it's a summer time inferno well into the 100s.

I've been reading a lot about bullets and fires lately. The url to this study is very good. I'm an engineer so I loved the theory background in it.

https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_rp104.pdf

[DVSride]

Wow, still closed and yet CA is set ablaze.... hope it opens soon and not permanent closure

[carmodyt]

Any word? Pretty good set of rains that ripped through here for Thanksgiving.

And, ghilligan, pretty brave going to Spenceville. Went a couple times last spring. Maybe it was because it was the weekend, but it was packed and people were shooting a little too fast and furious for my comfort level.

[lath]

Originally Posted by carmodyt

Any word? Pretty good set of rains that ripped through here for Thanksgiving.

And, ghilligan, pretty brave going to Spenceville. Went a couple times last spring. Maybe it was because it was the weekend, but it was packed and people were shooting a little too fast and furious for my comfort level.

Tumey and Panoche are shut down to target shooting. And I'm extremely annoyed at BLM incompetence. This total ban is NOT necessary in light of the results of this study https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_rp104.pdf

I've been a BLM annoyance since October and they are very aware what does and does not cause fires.

BLM would be happy to completely close us out of using this land for target practice. You have to make noise so they don't take this easy path.

Please join in sending emails to all of these. Send the results and ask that the total ban never be implemented again.

BLM_CA_Web_SO@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_SO@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_ML@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_RE@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_BA@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_EC@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_NE@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_NE@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_RI@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_BK@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_BI@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_CC@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_ML@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_UK@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_AP@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_AR@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_EL@blm.gov;BLM_CA_Web_RE@blm.gov;BLM_Press@blm.gov;castatedirector@blm.gov;mmaciel@blm.gov;jscrivner@blm.gov;dchi@blm.gov;flee@blm.govamdeblas@blm.gov;cmcalear@blm.gov;arandall@blm.gov;kbail@blm.gov;jruhs@blm.gov;mnedd@blm.gov;wwoody@blm.gov

[acegunnr]

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bl...0cz1te0GAGYoGY

The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is lifting its emergency fire restrictions on Nov. 30, on approximately 300,000-acres of public land, due to reduced wildland fire potential. This action also reopens target shooting at Panoche, Tumey and Griswold hills, as well as on public lands from the Pacific Coast to the San Joaquin Valley.

The easing of fire restrictions apply to public lands managed by the Central Coast Field Office in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties. Fire restrictions were initiated on May 25.

[OnTheTrail]

Good news. Can't wait to head out there.

[phdo]

Originally Posted by acegunnr

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bl...0cz1te0GAGYoGY

The Bureau of Land Management Central Coast Field Office is lifting its emergency fire restrictions on Nov. 30, on approximately 300,000-acres of public land, due to reduced wildland fire potential. This action also reopens target shooting at Panoche, Tumey and Griswold hills, as well as on public lands from the Pacific Coast to the San Joaquin Valley.

The easing of fire restrictions apply to public lands managed by the Central Coast Field Office in Alameda, Contra Costa, Fresno, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Stanislaus counties. Fire restrictions were initiated on May 25.

Thanks!!! I’ve been waiting to head out to Panoche.

[69ELKY]

Nice. I've been itching for some holster practice.

[lath]

Yes it is open. And BLM should NOT be thanked. They should be condemned for shutting it down for no justifiable reason. See the details of this study. BLM knows about this but they did it anyway:

https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_rp104.pdf

[TenKen714]

Did anyone try going this past week? How muddy was it?

[dudumaro]

If yes, where can I shot over there?

Is there any restrictions? It will be my first time on Blm land. I intend to shot soda cans.

[carmodyt]

Alright! Time for a little road trip. Thanks all for the info about Panoche and Tumey!

[d33pt]

Originally Posted by dudumaro

If yes, where can I shot over there?

Is there any restrictions? It will be my first time on Blm land. I intend to shot soda cans.

Don't drive cross country and clean up all your trash, including brass, your soda cans, etc.

[robertmneal93]

Are the roads to get into the main portions of Panoche Hills paved or graded, or are they typically a muddy mess?

Is a 4x4 required or could any random vehicle make it there (Atleast of the main sections of roadway)?

[BiggyMcwang]

Main roads are dirt and gravel. During summer you should be okay on them. Most likely worse now with water. Don't attempt trails without at least AWD and decent tires now that it's muddy.

[acegunnr]

Went to Panoche today. Road was dry and passable with 2WD. Overcast in the morning but the sun came out at noon and made for a very pleasant day.

[pogen]

I went yesterday 12/27, nice sunny day, roads fine. Only a couple of other parties within a half mile of the gate. Wind was pretty fierce though, I’d guess about 20 kts blowing into to Valley.

[1Bravo]

Totally forgot about this thread. So I finally made it out this past weekend.
Official entrance panoche road near mercy hot spring.
It's a washboard gravel road most of the way and a brick ****house at the top There are various places to turn down dirt roads. And people out shooting.
I took a road that snaked around a ridge and down. this road was rocky and uneven questionable for a 2wd a locked gate at the end. There was some solid ground and grass covered areas to setup targets. We got out to 700yds. It was a beautiful day.

And my Tmobile phone worked!

I'll post pics when I figure out how.

[Nebbiolo]

^^Great news. How are the other people there? Any concerns for safety either from shadiness or idiocy? I went to Metcalf once on a Sun and left without shooting due to both... Would hate to get to BLM and find retards hiding in the tall grasses with banjos - playing the song from Deliverance.

[Pedram1911]

Nebbiolo, I would like to mention any time you decide to venture into any public shooting range you should expect an idiot there. Never let your guard down.

You could do a few things. Go on a weekday, bring friends you actually trust with your life, or wear armor. Do all and reduce your chances of a stupid mistake or just don't go.

If you read these threads you will see most of these members say they are doing their part to keep the park open. Like cleaning up things that were not theirs. Picking up after others. That alone should show you what these guys want. I can't say I trust anyone here. Just go under the impression that you are the only one protecting you. Remember your safely gear and use your best judgement. Imagine you go to blm with random guests. You guys set up targets. You have a shooting position. There are a handful of you with guns loaded up. You are pretty much on our own. Who resets the targets down range? How can you be sure no one has a loaded firearm uprange? Those things matter. Just think about that. This is pretty much any shooting range. Even in Metcalf.

[Nebbiolo]

Thanks Pedram, agreed. I didn't have guns for years after moving to CA - the whole idea of a range just didn't sound like a good idea to me, and the things I've seen and heard at gun shops and ranges here are truly mind-boggling. I know what to expect now, but limit my shooting to Sunnyvale Rod & Gun and Reed's, and only during the week.

Amazing what used to pass for common sense is now rarefied knowledge. I also find myself developing biases - I can generally tell who's shooting what before they even open their bag. The best are the geniuses wearing camo - at the range - I've even seen bowie knives strapped to legs. Anyway, I don't want to be anywhere near these morons.

If I do head to BLM, the first time will be with 2 friends, and likely just to scout. Walking a few miles to setup is fine, preferred even. Cold bore and getting wind right the first time are what's important to me, so when I do finally shoot, it will be 1-3 rounds. Pack it in, pack it out, again obvious - who didn't learn this stuff as children? Just frustrating on so many levels - social, cultural, political, macro-economic - it's paralleled everywhere - pervasive and suffocating.

[1Bravo]

Originally Posted by Nebbiolo

^^Great news. How are the other people there? Any concerns for safety either from shadiness or idiocy? I went to Metcalf once on a Sun and left without shooting due to both... Would hate to get to BLM and find retards hiding in the tall grasses with banjos - playing the song from Deliverance.

Its pretty spread out and people find their own little spots to shoot. I passed a couple groups right off the main road. And a couple trucks passed me and disappeared. I didn't stop and talk to anyone. The road i was on was pretty secluded and we could have seen someone coming from either way and they would have seen us. I wasnt worried about other people.

[1Bravo]

[Nebbiolo]

^^Looks great - thanks for the info and pics!

[robertmneal93]

How's the road doing after the rain and snow? Planning on going this weekend

[robertmneal93]

Was just there this past weekend; road was clear and easily passable up to approx 4-5 miles in

[ghilligan]

Any word on when the roads/gates are closing to vehicle traffic?

I understand it happens around mid-April every year. Is it always the same date, like April 15, or does it depend on weather and rainfall? I don't see any notice or dates posted on the Tumey or Panoche Hills BLM websites, and when I call the BLM office, I usually get a "I dunno, we'll see" response.

thanks

[glug]

Just closed on Monday: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/ce...-public-access

[scranger]

All target shooting prohibited on Panoche/Griswold/Tumeys due to fire closure until the order is lifted.

https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-...e-restrictions

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bl...e-restrictions

[lath]

I've noticed, over the many years of recreational shooting at Tumey and Panoche, a ratcheting down of our access to the area to do what we like. The bureaucrats shut things down earlier than last year and this seasons start was over a month late as they waited for rain. So, we had very limited access.

The thing that pisses me off the most is they have a study done by the forest service showing that lead bullets are safe. They are even safer than the solid copper bullets hunters are forced to use...and hunters are allowed to shoot on BLM land right now!

These jackasses have to go.

Don't expect it to open soon. Last year we couldn't shoot until 11/30/2018.

Originally Posted by scranger

All target shooting prohibited on Panoche/Griswold/Tumeys due to fire closure until the order is lifted.

https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-...e-restrictions

https://www.blm.gov/press-release/bl...e-restrictions

[scvideoguy]

Does anyone know if Williams Hill is also closed for shooting? It doesn't say anything on the site.... https://www.blm.gov/visit/williams-hill