BLM Shooting

[M1A Rifleman]

And also from BLM's Main Page:


Hunting and Target Shooting
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Hunting is permitted on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). State of California hunting regulations must be followed on Federal lands.

Target Shooting is allowed on public lands. However, you must provide your own targets and remove your debris when you leave your site. 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). Please use paper targets only. Shooting glass objects is prohibited.

When you are finished target shooting, we require you to remove all your targets, gun shells, clay pigeons, and any and all items used for your target shooting.

Bureau of Land Management California policy is to allow the use of firearms on public lands, as provided for in state law, and to cooperate with state authorities in the enforcement of firearms regulations.

Persons have the permission of the Bureau of Land Management to possess and use firearms, including lawfully registered assault weapons, on BLM-administered public lands, except when prohibited by other applicable laws and regulations.
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. Surface management maps may help you in locating public (Federal) lands.

Safe and prudent actions should be followed at all times, (for example shooting with a berm). As you know, the BLM is a multi-use agency, so please be aware of the other public land visitors who may be utilizing the same areas for other recreational uses, i.e., camping, hiking, biking, and rock-hounding.

If you have specific questions on areas that may be appropriate for hunting or shooting, you are encouraged to contact the BLM Field Office having jurisdiction over the area:

Map of Field Office boundaries and locations
List of Field Office addresses and telephone numbers
Other sites with hunting-related information:
California Department of Fish and Game (California hunting information)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (information on areas which may support the best populations of game animals)

[bwiese]

Persons have the permission of the BLM to possess and use
firearms, including lawfully registered assault weapons, on BLM-administered public lands except when prohibited by other applicable laws and regulations.

[REDHORSE]

We've been camping and shooting in the desert BLM areas in large groups for several years. Before and since SB-23. It was basically our regular monthly gig in San Bernardino county deserts.



Usually have several dozens RAWs, OLLs, belt feds, and .50 BMGs, without a BLM ranger batting an eye.

Their only main concerns/instructions was to clean up after ourselves and to keep the 4x4s, ATVs, and dirtbikes on existing trails.

We've been approached infrequently by BLM and other volunteer groups. Buzzed by the CHP plane a few times too (waving their wings at our group). Of all the years, we've only had our camp sites visited maybe 5 times. Mostly to say hi and their curiosity of the hardware at hand.

[MudCamper]

Here's the link to that BLM policy:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/recreation/hunting.print.html

[mk3mitch]

Come on down. Everytime the calgunners come to panoche hills they have OLL's. If you find yourself on the San Benito county side , The sheriff's are all cool red neck boys. I don't think you have anything to worry about so long as your OLL is configured correctly.

[SchooBaka]

As far as steel core ammo, does that rule stay in effect all year around?
I've been thinking about loading up and heading out for some campin and shoot'n soon on blm land.
What about open carry of a pistol, loaded open carry ok on blm land?

[Rumpled]

We've been camping and shooting in the desert BLM areas in large groups for several years. Before and since SB-23. It was basically our regular monthly gig in San Bernardino county deserts.

Redhorse,
Any tips on where to go?
Would this be near Calico?

[AdamM]

As far as steel core ammo, does that rule stay in effect all year around?
I've been thinking about loading up and heading out for some campin and shoot'n soon on blm land.
What about open carry of a pistol, loaded open carry ok on blm land?

Im wondering about this too. Steel core? Loaded open carry?

Anyone?

[Sig226]

Loaded open carry?

Anyone?

No problems there.

I think steel core is g2g as well, but I might be mistaken. Even if it isn't prohibited, please make sure it has rained recently before using it.... We don't need any new fires that might make BLM change their open mind towards gunnies.


Does anyone know how the event where an OLL was confiscated by ill-informed BLM rangers? I believe it happened ~ 4-5 months ago. I would be very interested to hear the details of how this worked out for both the gunner and the BLM officer.

ETA: This thread http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s....php?p=1774561

[live2offroad]

So I should probably just leave it at home?

If you are this worried, yes leave it at home.. The stress will ruin your shoot..
-Peter

[AaronHorrocks]

Did you even bother reading the letter you just linked to? It states the EXACT OPPOSITE of you stated about using AWs on BLM land. Unless I am missing something, you get a big FAIL for today for spreading FUD.

In that letter, did you see this:

Policy for BLM Managed Lands in California
California policy is to allow the use of firearms on public lands, as provided for in state law, and to cooperate with state authorities in the enforcement of firearms regulations. Federal lands managed by the BLM in California are generally closed to the possession of assault weapons, as defined by state law; however, BLM Field Managers, after consultation with the State Office and the public, may designate specific areas, through issuance of specific authorization, where state defined assault weapons may be utilized.

Maybe? Maybe not? The letter in itself has contradictory info in it.
Also I've been personally told by several BLM offices (incorrect or not) that they do not allow (even registered) "assualt weapons" or .50 BMG.

"FUD"? Maybe... You're 100% wrong in saying that I'm spreading it. I'm just informing y'all that it's coming directly from BLM folks. I'm not about to risk a several thousand dollar gun.

[TonyM]

Adam, dont' worry about it. THere's plenty of ppl who have shot OLLs up there without incident (we'd have heard by now). ALso, the odds of being accosted by DFG or a sheriff are slim. I just went there to Panoche and we spent a good 7 hours there with only two contacts..ppl looking for a good turn out to shoot on.

Also, their official word is just no illegal weapons. Bring the Sac PD memo and other pertinent documentation and shoot in peace. I'm headed to some state park at Konocti Harbor on 1/1 with some OLLs and many others as their firearms rules are no different..less spoken of actually.

I bring paperwork with me now.

Last Spring just before closing I had a "meeting" with a Ranger that was pretty touch and go while he inspected my AR. He didn't know anything about OLL, and was questioning the legality of the rifle. I was able to confidently explain it, but had he not been one to listen... things could've been different.

[ohsmily]

"FUD"? Maybe... You're 100% wrong in saying that I'm spreading it. I'm just informing y'all that it's coming directly from BLM folks. I'm not about to risk a several thousand dollar gun.

No, you are spreading it.

If you are concerned about shooting reg'ed AWs on BLM land after the letter posted by M1ARifleman (written by BLM more recently than the stale letter you are relying on) and the information on BLM's own website, then I don't know what else to tell you:

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/recreation/hunting.print.html