San Diego BLM Range Guide (Map PDF Files, Resources, How to find your secret spot)

[sd_shooter]

EDIT: I'm moving to Texas, I won't be maintaining this guide hereafter. In general it's best to drive out to Imperial county and find a quiet spot, San Diego county isn't easy any more. (And no BLM in Texas, so be thankful for the epic shooting spots you have out here in beautiful California!)

Frozen in time as of 6/15/18:

I decided to create a guide for BLM shooting in the San Diego area in response to new calgunners wanting to find a place to shoot.

Typical BLM restrictions:
(Copied from El Centro BLM web site)

- Proper access to public lands must be through public roads. Crossing private lands to access public lands is not permitted unless you first obtain permission from the private landowner.
- Check with local sheriff or land management agencies before using an area for shooting. Private and state lands are located adjacent to many public lands. Do not shoot on private lands without the owner's permission. Shooting is not permitted in state parks.
- Find a safe backdrop. Shots fired across the open desert can travel for more than a mile. A spot with a large mound directly behind the target is ideal.
- Firearms must not be discharged within 150 yards of residences, buildings, campsites, occupied areas, recreational areas or domestic livestock.
- Shooting across a road, trail, or wash is not permitted.
- Shooting should only take place in areas well away from other concentrations of people and property.
- Shooting from a vehicle is not permitted.
- Avoid sensitive wildlife habitats.
- Stay on designated routes. Cross-country travel is not permitted outside of OHV open area boundaries.
- Shoot only retrievable, freestanding targets.
- Shooting glass objects, electronic waste and items that may contain hazardous materials (i.e. freon, propane, etc.) is prohibited.
- Do not attach targets to living plants or place targets up against rocks, plants, or solid objects. It is illegal to deface or destroy trees, signs, outbuildings, or other objects on federal lands that are for the public's enjoyment. CFR 8365.1-5 (a) (1) & (2).
- Always pick up and remove targets, empty shells, and any other debris after you have finished.

Android Public Lands app ($3)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...liclands&hl=en

Free BLM Maps:
See the PDF attachments at the end of this post (downloaded from a .gov server)

Use the .gov Geocommunicator tool: (Free)
This will give you a general idea of suitable BLM spots. I don't know how well it is maintained and it is likely the server will be removed at some future date.
http://www.geocommunicator.gov/blmMap/Map.jsp?MAP=LAND

The 'BLM' areas are generally ok to shoot. The 'BLM Wilderness' areas are usually not since they are protected.

Use Google Earth: (Free)
In conjunction with the BLM maps, it gives a photorealistic view the your spots in 3D. Also shows truck trails and fire roads not shown on the other maps.
http://www.google.com/earth/index.html

Be sure to download this KMZ file and then you'll get the geocommunicator layers right in Google Earth! (Thanks to ebourqui)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/blm_google_earth/BLM.kmz



Purchase the Cleveland National Forest Map
This is hands down the best deal and offers all the nearby BLM land in a single laminated map. Just $10! Get it. Today:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/maps-pubs

Purchase the detailed BLM maps for your area
Look through the BLM map grid to determine the areas of interest. These are best if you are headed out east:
https://www.blm.gov/site-page/media-...room-maps-sale


El Centro BLM Region shooting closures:

Airport Mesa, Jacumba (CFR 8365.1-6)
Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
McCain Valley
Table Mountain
Jacumba Ouststanding Natural Area (CFR 8365.1-6)

Southern California BLM Shooting Regulations per county:

- Riverside County - No shooting within 300 yards of roads, campgrounds or occupied dwellings. No shooting 1/2 hour after sunset or before sunrise.
- San Bernardino County: - County has designated some areas for shotgun use only; other areas are closed to shooting except for legal hunting. Contact the San Bernardino County Office of Special Districts at 909/387-5940 For more Information.
- Kern and Inyo Counties: Open to shooting on BLM managed lands.
- Imperial County: No shooting within 300 yards of roads or campgrounds. No shooting 1/2 hour after sunset or before sunrise.
- San Diego County: Open to shooting on BLM managed lands. Possession or discharge of steel core armor piercing ammunition is illegal. No shooting in unincorporated areas.
- Orange and Los Angeles Counties: Closed to all shooting on public (BLM) lands.

Known Range Closures:
- Nate Harrison Grade (Palomar) This is Pala indian land, not BLM
- Orosco Ridge (Ramona)
- Palomar Mountain, East Side
- Jacumba, West Side (Border Patrol restriction)
- Jacumba, East Side next to the mountain (Power company restriction)
- Dulzura/Marron Valley/Pink Gate (Fire Season, closed until further notice)

My own guidelines:
- DO encourage new shooters to come with you
- DO pick up your trash and existing trash
- DO shoot paper and steel
- DO explore the BLM areas and find new shooting spots
- DO share your spots through direct contact (Private Message, Text, Phone Call, Face to Face)
- DO NOT post the details of your spot online (ie. directions, GPS coordinates)
- DO NOT shoot glass, TVs, computers, radios etc.
- DO NOT throw your cigarette butts in the bushes, and don't let your friends do it either


Don't do this:


And don't do this:

[sd_shooter]

Mods, please sticky.

Thanks.

[Meety Peety]

This is the first time I've ever seen it mentioned that you can't shoot on UNincorporated land in San Diego County.. that doesn't even make sense. Most private and BLM land east of Lakeside/Ramona is unincorporated. Maybe someone can explain this one to me, am I reading it in the wrong context or something?

[powaybob]

Note that most of the floor of the desert in eastern San Diego County is within Anza Borrego State Park which does not allow sho0oting or even having loaded firearms. Many of the few BLM areas in San Diego County desert are designated wilderness areas which do not allow shooting or even wheeled vehicles. Be extremely careful in slecting your place to shoot to ensure you are not violating regulations.

[me109g4]

This is funny, i asked specifically for shooting locations on blm land in the SD area and was told "its a secret",,,,

[Meety Peety]

Not so much that it's a secret, but obviously no one is going to publicly post coordinates to their spot, only to have it turn into one of the many areas that have now been closed. If you ask correctly, you will more than likely get a positive response. Keep in mind that a PM is in many ways part of asking correctly. Nothing personal to you man, but if you haven't figured this stuff out by now, how is anyone going to assume you have figured out how to respect the area and pack up your trash when you leave etc? You can't blame people for being wary when someone "Just doesn't get it."

On a side note, the information above has never been a "secret" - this is the type of response (but now its laid out all-in-one for us) you would generally get when asking for a spot to shoot. It's not like hes pouring out secret spots here, what it basically says is, "Here's where to start, now go find your own."

[me109g4]

This isnt for me, its for my nephew, he lives in SD and i just got a Garand for him, he is the kind of kid that would take out more than he brought.
as to asking correctly,, I asked a simple question, I am not sure how you can determine by the way I asked if I am going to trash the place or not, so yeah, i guess i dont get it, whatever that is. If i needed this level of drama I would go prod the ex with a pointed stick for a while.
I guess I will try to find him a club range somewhere.

[zhyla]

Originally Posted by sd_shooter

Possession or discharge of steel core armor piercing ammunition is illegal.

Does anyone know the county ordinance for this? I'd like to examine the actual text.

[Fate]

[jpballa]

SD Shooter, good work. I think this should answer about 99% of people asking about BLM locations in San Diego. thanks

[zhyla]

Indeed, it was quite helpful. I've got some spots to go scout out now.

Hey btw I would add to the list: bring a shovel. A tiny fraction of wildfires in CA are sparked by target shooters. Put it out so the rest of us don't have to evacuate, mmm'kay?

[sdfire]

Does anyone have a paper copy of the San Diego shooting areas map from the sherriff's department? Its funny, I've been to 3 sherriff's stations and all three said no such map exists . (Even though it is online) I would like to put together an overlay map of : the sheriffs map, blm map, satellite map, and Thomas guide, to have a solid resource to have in my range bag when I'm out on public land .

[warkaj]

Apparently most of downtown Escondido especially near Jupiter Street and Grape Day park is open for shooting... been hearing folks obviously practicing their target shooting a few blocks north of me the last few nights. Funny thing, I think they're also practicing their defensive driving techniques too because I usually hear screeching tires and other things directly after the gun shots. Well I'm sure they all have registered handguns they're practicing with, right? *end sarcasm*

[sd_shooter]

Added free PDF maps, see attachments at bottom of first post.

[llamatrnr]

Plenty of shooting goes on in my unincorporated area of San Diego; no problem at all with deputies ever . . .

[theicecreamdan]

thank you for this thread, especially the pdf's

[CouchIsland.com]

I used that Geo Communicator and after about 3 hours found a few promising spots. One checked out really well so thanks for the link to that tool.

[wideLoad]

I took 6 pics of each map, stitched them together in Photoshop -- then tried a bunch of ways to make it small and still detailed. Ugh.... WAY too much time involved.

Maps available:
* El Cajon Map
* El Centro Map
* Borrego Valley Map

I purchased these about 3 months ago, so they should be the latest available but who knows. The GEO communicator might be easier but if you're like me you want the info direct from the source.

Anyways, because the forums won't let me attach anything NEAR this size, here's a few options:

Small/quick viewing:
* http://imgur.com/a/cU4fu#0

If you want to download the approximately 3 megabyte (each) jpegs, you can do it here:
* http://www.dropbox.com/gallery/73204...0Maps?h=94c2d5

For the latter link, you'll need to click the "?" then click "Full size" or "save" and it's all yours.

[FamilyofShooters]

Well done....these are extremely helpful tools. Personally I still enjoy taking my BLM maps, dog and a sandwich or two and just go out 'exploring' these sites. have found a couple pretty good ones.

[dbo31]

Anyone who has some good spots down south..Chula vista area..feel free to PM me. Greatly appreciated.

[Eat Dirt]

Originally Posted by Fate

Thanks for posting that ^^^^^^
I'm going to borrow it / If you don't mind

I've had to clean-up spots like that in Bee Canyon ( Hemet )

[opie4386]

Originally Posted by dbo31

Anyone who has some good spots down south..Chula vista area..feel free to PM me. Greatly appreciated.

same here my 22-250 is getting out of jail on the 11th if anyone can please point me in the right direction for chula vista area I would greatly apreaciate it!

[fozzyWozzy]

please pm me on local spots around sd to shoot to! i live in bankers hill but am willing to drive a little. let me know through pm's

[Flintlock Tom]

Originally Posted by opie4386

same here my 22-250 is getting out of jail on the 11th if anyone can please point me in the right direction for chula vista area I would greatly apreaciate it!

If it's your first time out it might be a good idea to go to a regular range so you've got experienced people around you and you're shooting at known distances.
I recommend South Bay Rod and Gun Club. http://www.sbrgc.org/

[CessnaDriver]

Originally Posted by dbo31

Anyone who has some good spots down south..Chula vista area..feel free to PM me. Greatly appreciated.

Ditto on this request as well.

I used to go east of Brown Field in the eighties and it was very convienent.

I suspect 4WD may be necessary now though if places do still exist.

Anyways, much appreciated if someone can clue in a old local San Diego area shooter on someplace close again.

[fnhscar16]

could someone please pm me a location to shoot at close to escondido...i used to go to nate harrison grade road but they recently put up signs and closed that area for shooting.

much appreciated.

[woodnsteel]

Originally Posted by Meety Peety

This is the first time I've ever seen it mentioned that you can't shoot on UNincorporated land in San Diego County.. that doesn't even make sense. Most private and BLM land east of Lakeside/Ramona is unincorporated. Maybe someone can explain this one to me, am I reading it in the wrong context or something?

I cant figure this stuff out and I am used to reading blueprints and maps.
They have a land survey and a lawyer and write up the biggest double talk in the world and then say "thats your shooting range" and if you try and find it you will be arrested for attempted target practice!

[hellabent]

how does one know which areas one can shoot in the map?

[sd_shooter]

Originally Posted by hellabent

how does one know which areas one can shoot in the map?

On any map, there is a Legend. Find the legend and it will show the color of the BLM areas (usually orange or yellow.) NOTE: BLM land often also contains "Wilderness" areas which are usually off limits, for example no shooting is allowed within the Jacumba Wilderness. Wilderness will be marked with a different color even if it falls within the BLM area. Take a look at the first PDF file to see what I mean, the legend is on the bottom right corner.

On the paper maps available from BLM, it also has the "No target shooting" areas clearly marked in red letters. Otherwise BLM is generally GTG!

[hellabent]

thanks sd shooter, thats what i was referring to, wilderness areas and blm land were the same color, or so it seemed to me. I will probably end up purchasing the map to make it easier, thanks for clearing it up

[CessnaDriver]

I've seen some disagrements in the paper BLM maps and the geocommunicator page that shows what is BLM land in an area or two.

Given the BLM maps are often dated years ago, I guess they don't print new ones every year, would the geocommunicator page be the latest?

[hellabent]

according to the map, nate harrison wasnt on blm lands so why wasshooting allowed there?

[Hecktic]

Thanks for the info

[sd_shooter]

Originally Posted by hellabent

according to the map, nate harrison wasnt on blm lands so why wasshooting allowed there?

I don't think it was, at least by the BLM rules - perhaps people just happened to find a remote shooting spot where nobody bugged them.

[04chase]

im in i.e. and looking for a nice place closer than barstow to test the legs on my magnum rifles that need 1000+ yds . i have nice steel targets and a solid range finder just no friends with toys or experience. i also have a big ol 1 ton d-max 4x4 on 37's that can go anywhere . if some of you experienced long range shooters would like showing a thing or two to a new guy send me a pm .

[sd_fox_racer]

Originally Posted by 04chase

im in i.e. and looking for a nice place closer than barstow to test the legs on my magnum rifles that need 1000+ yds . i have nice steel targets and a solid range finder just no friends with toys or experience. i also have a big ol 1 ton d-max 4x4 on 37's that can go anywhere . if some of you experienced long range shooters would like showing a thing or two to a new guy send me a pm .

im looking for a spot like this in san diego if anyone knows a spot please pm the coordinates

[SWalt]

Thanks, the maps just confirmed my BLM spot. Now need to get a hard copy.

[sd_shooter]

Added link to the $10 CNF map, but here it is again:
http://www.nationalforeststore.com/m...gory_Code=0002

All the nearby BLM spots clearly marked.

[BucDan]

Are all of the "good" spots reachable by driving to it? Or will you have to do some hiking?
Some of the steep hills are a no go for me after my trip out there on Saturday. I think I'm done for with the Otay Mountains, may have to head out to the far desert or stick to the ranges.

It seems like 4 wheel drive vehicles are required for the mountains.

[sdfire]

I was just out at the blm in east county on Monday and there were bottles, wooden pallet with plastic flamingo, and other garbage strewn about all over the place. we had to do a range cleanup before we shot , so it wouldn't look like we made the mess if the rangers showed up. But it is a good reminder why nobody should give directions to their spots in open forums. And make sure to clean up your spots, so they don't get shut down. It's like adopt-a-range