STEEL PEAK CLOSED - CONFIRMED

[EndoDef]

I was thinking Sunnymead & Perris.

People shoot there all the time.

At the freeway ?

[EndoDef]

Also I was involved in a off road page clean up for Steele Peak about two ish years ago...

We filled up 3-4 40 yard dumpsters full of trash, I went back about 3 weeks later and it was absolutely wrecked again. Im going to go ahead and say most of not all "local" BLM ranges will be closed within the next couple years

[Ford8N]

That may be part of the issue but the underlying culprit is the creeping urbanization of Southern California. Years ago there were miles and miles of open space in western Riverside County. There were lots of spots for shooting in the boonies. Today there are housing tracts, Lowes, Walmart, Applebees, Home Depot, Target, Starbucks, In-N-Out, McDonalds, Walgreens, Kohl's, Wendy's, Del Taco, Stater Bros, Rite-Aid, you-name-it sprouting up in what was once open space. This means that more people are shooting in fewer available shooting spots. This is not going to change. We are not going to go back to the "good old days". The rural areas are quickly being gobbled up by development.

Same thing is happening in SLO county. And there is a group actively trying to get recreational target shooting shut down in Los Padres National Forest AND get more funds to the LEO Rangers to bust people shooting. Thank goodness we can still have nice weather and surf n ski in the same day in this expensive, s****y sanctuary state.

[Darryl Licht]

I feel the need to add more to this discussion...

In addition to the trash leaving dirtbags, Internet, and rapid urbanization of So Cal...

I THINK A LARGE PART OF THE BLAME MUST GO TO THE BLM OFFICERS WHO PATROL HERE...

FOR MANY YEARS I'VE URGED THEM TO WRITE THESE "EXPENSIVE" TICKETS WE'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT. PERHAPS IF THESE BLM LEOS HAD WRITTEN TICKETS FOR THE TRASH, SHOOTING IN CLOSED AREAS, AND UNSAFE ACTIONS OF THE MAJORITY WHO VISIT SP... THIS WOULDNT BE HAPPENING!

THOSE OF US WHO FREQUENT THIS SPOT KNOW IT WOULDNT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO WRITE DOZENS (MAYBE HUNDREDS) OF TICKETS ON A WEEKEND. IM ALSO SURE THE BLM COULD HAVE USED THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO KEEP IT OPEN AND CLEAN!

I'VE SEEN EVERYTHING THERE OVER THE YEARS... SEX, DRUGS, DRINKING, TRASH DUMPING, ILLEGAL FIRES, SHOOTING IN CLEARLY MARKED "NO SHOOTING" AREAS, ETC.

IF THE BLM LEOS HAD DONE THEIR JOBS AND WRITTEN TICKETS, PERHAPS THE DIRTBAGS WOULD HAVE LEARNED TO CLEANUP!

[Ford8N]

I feel the need to add more to this discussion...

In addition to the trash leaving dirtbags, Internet, and rapid urbanization of So Cal...

I THINK A LARGE PART OF THE BLAME MUST GO TO THE BLM OFFICERS WHO PATROL HERE...

FOR MANY YEARS I'VE URGED THEM TO WRITE THESE "EXPENSIVE" TICKETS WE'VE ALL HEARD ABOUT. PERHAPS IF THESE BLM LEOS HAD WRITTEN TICKETS FOR THE TRASH, SHOOTING IN CLOSED AREAS, AND UNSAFE ACTIONS OF THE MAJORITY WHO VISIT SP... THIS WOULDNT BE HAPPENING!

THOSE OF US WHO FREQUENT THIS SPOT KNOW IT WOULDNT HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO WRITE DOZENS (MAYBE HUNDREDS) OF TICKETS ON A WEEKEND. IM ALOS SURE THE BLM COULD HAVE USED THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO KEEP IT OPEN AND CLEAN!

I'VE SEEN EVERYTHING THERE OVER THE YEARS... SEX, DRUGS, DRINKING, TRASH DUMPING, ILLEGAL FIRES, SHOOTING IN CLEARLY MARKED "NO SHOOTING" AREAS, ETC.

IF THE BLM LEOS HAD DONE THEIR JOBS AND WRITTEN TICKETS, PERHAPS THE DIRTBAGS WOULD HAVE LEARNED TO CLEANUP!

I agree. The speed that open shooting areas accumulate trash AFTER a clean up, not to also point out the VOLUME, can't be missed. They could write citations all day, every weekend. The Federal Officers could sit and observe the couches, TV's, Auto's, oil drums, pallets, car batteries, stuffed animals, dry wall, and just plain bags of trash dumped by people. Some of who don't even shoot! They even graffiti the place!!! Also, not "PC", but certain cultures litter, trash and graffiti where they live and have no problem doing it up in the hills. This is why I only shoot in areas accessible by 4x4 and I never give up my spots on the net.

[Darryl Licht]

I agree. The speed that open shooting areas accumulate trash AFTER a clean up, not to also point out the VOLUME, can't be missed. They could write citations all day, every weekend. The Federal Officers could sit and observe the couches, TV's, Auto's, oil drums, pallets, car batteries, stuffed animals, dry wall, and just plain bags of trash dumped by people. Some of who don't even shoot! They even graffiti the place!!! Also, not "PC", but certain cultures litter, trash and graffiti where they live and have no problem doing it up in the hills. This is why I only shoot in areas accessible by 4x4 and I never give up my spots on the net.

Agreed! I always went to the backside of SP to shoot away from the crowds and trash! <-- Safer for my grandkids too!

If the USFS doesn't start hassling/ticketing the IDIOTS who trash Bee Canyon, it will be next to go!

I'm not a huge fan of Bee Cyn, as the distances there are not challenging for anything other than a handgun, and the ATV crowd there is too unsafe in that narrow canyon!

Looks like from now on I'll have to drive 90+ minutes to either Barstow or Indio areas just to shoot outside at distances that are challenging with my rifles!

[boltmopar]

BLM Ranger was there today turning people away. I didnt talk to him but buddy in truck infront of me said, "Ranger said, all of Riverside County is closed for Shooting."

I will call office in morning to confirm.

[Half Cocked]

BLM Ranger was there today turning people away. I didnt talk to him but buddy in truck infront of me said, "Ranger said, all of Riverside County is closed for Shooting."

I will call office in morning to confirm.

Here is the Riverside County Sheriff's web page regarding legal shooting areas in Riverside County

http://www.riversidesheriff.org/firearms/

This states that Berdoo Canyon and Fargo Canyon are good to go. It sounds like you got FUD from the BLM ranger.

[Eat Dirt]

If the USFS doesn't start hassling/ticketing the IDIOTS who trash Bee Canyon, it will be next to go!

I'm not a huge fan of Bee Cyn, as the distances there are not challenging for anything other than a handgun, and the ATV crowd there is too unsafe in that narrow canyon!

Sad to hear about Steel Peak ........... But it was bound to happen
Way too much trash and trashy people .........................

Now about Bee Canyon
With all the rains ,,,, The road is Shot !!!
You will need a good pick-up or 4 X 4 to get to the canyons
NO cars or city SUV's will make it ................Period ................
I cancelled a 'Clean-Up' on Jan. 9th because of road conditions and it has only gotten worse

People are actually walking in from the staging area ( Just off highway blacktop ) about a one mile walk

Talked to ranger friend about road ;; It won't be graded till spring,, when the worst rains are over

[jk90]

I talked to the BLM Ranger yesterday at Steele Peak and it is all of western Riverside County that is closed. It is in County Ordinance 514 and has been there for a long time but was never enforced. So that should include Bee Canyon as well. He said it wasn't just trash, but mostly all the idiots and safety hazards. I've seen people shooting across the dirt road there on several occasions. I had to actually tell someone to stop shooting across the road once so I could drive by. That is the stuff that closed it down. I agree that they should have been there citing the idiots instead of closing it down but it's too late.

[Darryl Licht]

I talked to the BLM Ranger yesterday at Steele Peak and it is all of western Riverside County that is closed. It is in County Ordinance 514 and has been there for a long time but was never enforced. So that should include Bee Canyon as well. He said it wasn't just trash, but mostly all the idiots and safety hazards. I've seen people shooting across the dirt road there on several occasions. I had to actually tell someone to stop shooting across the road once so I could drive by. That is the stuff that closed it down. I agree that they should have been there citing the idiots instead of closing it down but it's too late.

Here is a link to RCO 514: http://www.rivcocob.org/ords/500/514.10.pdf

Section 8g (Garner Valley Area) specifically states: "excluding all property in those sections that are part of the U.S. National Forest and owned by the U.S.
Government."

So Bee Cyn is still open!

...Not sure why that doesn't apply to SP BLM.

[Cokebottle]

Looks like from now on I'll have to drive 90+ minutes to either Barstow or Indio areas just to shoot outside at distances that are challenging with my rifles!

A few months ago I drove Dillon from 62 to 86.
There is a lot of new development going on out there at the eastern end. It was night when I went through, but I didn't see any place that would be inviting for shooting.

There is also a trailer park near Bombay that was sold and rebranded itself as "North Glamis".... even though it is 50 miles from the actual "North Glamis", and now that area is getting packed with ATVers.
Used to spend a lot of time shooting in that area as well as up along Bradshaw Trail, but that area has turned into an ATV freeway now.

[Darryl Licht]

A few months ago I drove Dillon from 62 to 86.
There is a lot of new development going on out there at the eastern end. It was night when I went through, but I didn't see any place that would be inviting for shooting.

There is also a trailer park near Bombay that was sold and rebranded itself as "North Glamis".... even though it is 50 miles from the actual "North Glamis", and now that area is getting packed with ATVers.
Used to spend a lot of time shooting in that area as well as up along Bradshaw Trail, but that area has turned into an ATV freeway now.

There are actually 2 areas off that stretch of road that are still legal to shoot at. But I REFUSE TO NAME OR GIVE DIRECTIONS for fear this will happen there too!

[desertrider]

BLM Ranger was there today turning people away. I didnt talk to him but buddy in truck infront of me said, "Ranger said, all of Riverside County is closed for Shooting."

I will call office in morning to confirm.

I was out there today shortly after noon. Spoke with two different rangers who were patrolling area.

Permanently closed to shooting. Officially.

[Ford8N]

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