Humboldt County BLM/USFS/Designated Shooting Areas

[Econut]

I don't post much, but I came in here to report that Horse Mountain off highway 299 in Humboldt County is a legit shooting spot.

To get there: Take Titlow Rd. off highway 299. You take this road up to a fork and make a left. You take that road for about 4.5 miles to where it takes you to a graveled area where you can park on either side. There you will see a green gate on your left. The gate is locked in the wet season due to a disease that effecting the trees in the area. Past that green gate, about a quarter mile down is a clearing with stagnated boulders lining the entrance off the road. On the other side of those boulders is a large backstop.

I was there on 04/19/2021 between 2-4pm. It's a quiet and isolated place, serene even, but also kinda spooky. I had the entire shooting area to myself. I had to walk down to it though as the the gate was locked. Hopefully it's unlocked the next time I go up.

Apparently there's multiple areas up there to shoot at on Horse Mountain, as behind me (about a half mile as the crow flys) closer to the cell phone towers someone was discharging some large calibers firearms. Sounded like fun.

I just moved to the area in January and I've been wondering were there's BLM/USFS areas to shoot on. Anyone have any insight?

I also heard that there's a place near Fortuna you can go shooting at? Someone at the gun counter at sportsman's was trying to explain it to me and a few locals I've talked to mentioned it as well, but I haven't been able to find 'the spot'. Also I've heard/read conflicting reports that that area has since been shut down for public use due to a bunch of shenanigans.

Anyone have any info on that?

Thanks

-Econut

[deadcoyote]

In Ferndale you can shoot on the River bar but only is certain places that meet the buffer requirements from paved roads and dwellings. I believe DFW and the county
Both give out pamphlets on where you can shoot at and not.

I’ve taken my kids shooting in Lacks Creek area of 6 rivers national forest. It’s not to my liking, only because it’s a lot higher traffic than horse mountain and you can’t shoot as far.

PS: while I believe horse mountain is totally safe, I would make sure you keep a loaded pistol on your person all the time. There was a murder of someone shooting up there in the late 90’s or 2000 about, and I had a run in where two guys tried to rob my friend and I of our firearms (with a knife ��). This was a long time ago, same era around 00 or 01. I spend a lot of time up there and haven’t had any Problems since. It’s just remote so you need to be prepared to handle your own issues regarding personal safety (medical supplies, water, etc).

[bombadillo]

Originally Posted by deadcoyote

In Ferndale you can shoot on the River bar but only is certain places that meet the buffer requirements from paved roads and dwellings. I believe DFW and the county
Both give out pamphlets on where you can shoot at and not.

I’ve taken my kids shooting in Lacks Creek area of 6 rivers national forest. It’s not to my liking, only because it’s a lot higher traffic than horse mountain and you can’t shoot as far.

PS: while I believe horse mountain is totally safe, I would make sure you keep a loaded pistol on your person all the time. There was a murder of someone shooting up there in the late 90’s or 2000 about, and I had a run in where two guys tried to rob my friend and I of our firearms (with a knife ��). This was a long time ago, same era around 00 or 01. I spend a lot of time up there and haven’t had any Problems since. It’s just remote so you need to be prepared to handle your own issues regarding personal safety (medical supplies, water, etc).

I can remember going out to that spot under the bridge in Ferndale and we would drive out a way. Once we got there there were so many oddball weirdos either shooting or riding motorcycles that it was never very safe for us.

[deadcoyote]

So they shut down under the bridge entirely but you can go off Grizzly Bluffs road on a public access area but it’s not marked out anything.

[Econut]

Originally Posted by deadcoyote

In Ferndale you can shoot on the River bar but only is certain places that meet the buffer requirements from paved roads and dwellings. I believe DFW and the county
Both give out pamphlets on where you can shoot at and not.

I’ve taken my kids shooting in Lacks Creek area of 6 rivers national forest. It’s not to my liking, only because it’s a lot higher traffic than horse mountain and you can’t shoot as far.

PS: while I believe horse mountain is totally safe, I would make sure you keep a loaded pistol on your person all the time. There was a murder of someone shooting up there in the late 90’s or 2000 about, and I had a run in where two guys tried to rob my friend and I of our firearms (with a knife ��). This was a long time ago, same era around 00 or 01. I spend a lot of time up there and haven’t had any Problems since. It’s just remote so you need to be prepared to handle your own issues regarding personal safety (medical supplies, water, etc).

Hello! Thank you for your input. I'll make sure to check out lacks creek in the future.

As for carrying a tool on your person whilst being in a remote area; I did just that. There was something about that place that made me feel like I was being watched. After reading your anecdote, I'll make sure to do that every time moving forward.

[Econut]

Originally Posted by deadcoyote

So they shut down under the bridge entirely but you can go off Grizzly Bluffs road on a public access area but it’s not marked out anything.

I've been on grizzly road 7-8 times since I been here so I'm pretty familiar with it. Beautiful place out there, Ferndale.

Anyways, I have a map pulled up as I'm typing this. To access the area you're talking about would I take Grizzly Bluff Rd. through Waddington towards the river?? Because as I'm looking at it right now, Grizzly Bluff Road has a split at E. Ferry Rd. and again at Price Creek School Rd.

If you could talk to me like I'm new that would be most helpful. Haha.

Last thing I want is an irate farmer threatening to call the police on me or a sheriffs deputy pulling up to the area where I'm shooting, while I'm shooting.

P.S. If you have coordinates of the location you're specifying that would be helpful too.

[XDJYo]

Originally Posted by Econut

I've been on grizzly road 7-8 times since I been here so I'm pretty familiar with it. Beautiful place out there, Ferndale.

Anyways, I have a map pulled up as I'm typing this. To access the area you're talking about would I take Grizzly Bluff Rd. through Waddington towards the river?? Because as I'm looking at it right now, Grizzly Bluff Road has a split at E. Ferry Rd. and again at Price Creek School Rd.

If you could talk to me like I'm new that would be most helpful. Haha.

Last thing I want is an irate farmer threatening to call the police on me or a sheriffs deputy pulling up to the area where I'm shooting, while I'm shooting.

P.S. If you have coordinates of the location you're specifying that would be helpful too.

Cuz, when you say “farmer”, you’re talking about someone (or group or clan or family) that “grows” or “cultivates” right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Econut]

Originally Posted by XDJYo

Cuz, when you say “farmer”, you’re talking about someone (or group or clan or family) that “grows” or “cultivates” right?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh geeze. Let me be clear. I forgot "farmer" has more than one definition up here.

In this context I mean to imply traditional farming, you know, cows, grains, vegetables, etc. Those types of farmers.

That said, I don't want to disparage or judge those who making a living growing marijuana. However, I'm indifferent towards those types of farmers. That is to mean I do not hold negative or positive views towards that trade.

[deadcoyote]

So where grizzly bluff road marks a sharp right and you drive straight down East Ferry you’ll drive straight on the the River bar eventually. See attached photo. And in this case this is actual dairy farmers and cattle ranchers but this is a county road.

[Econut]

Originally Posted by deadcoyote

So where grizzly bluff road marks a sharp right and you drive straight down East Ferry you’ll drive straight on the the River bar eventually. See attached photo. And in this case this is actual dairy farmers and cattle ranchers but this is a county road.

Perfect. Thank you for being specific. I'll check it out later this afternoon.

[Econut]

Originally Posted by deadcoyote

So where grizzly bluff road marks a sharp right and you drive straight down East Ferry you’ll drive straight on the the River bar eventually. See attached photo. And in this case this is actual dairy farmers and cattle ranchers but this is a county road.

I went ahead and checked that place out yesterday. Everything is right where you said it would be. Thanks again.