Hunting/Target shooting (National Forest)

[nullix34]

I've tried searching around and couldn't find what I'm looking for. If this has been discussed, please let me know where.

I live in Los Angeles County and have a hunting license. I plan on hunting in Zone D11, but I need to zero my scope and test my reloads.

It seems there is no target practice in the National Forest, but only hunting.

Assuming I'm using non-lead, how would a ranger know if I'm target practicing (zeroing my scope or chroning my shots) or hunting? What am I missing here?

Granted it's not deer season, but I could be hunting coyotes or something instead of target shooting.

[homelessdude]

Just take your rifle to one of the local ranges. Most will let you set up a chronograph. You go into the National Forest shooting when it isn't the season on your license you may not have any gun rights by the time they are done with you. Just so you know you can't kill anything in a National Forest without their permission. I hunt D-11 every year and deer are pretty hard to come by there. Good Luck

[racinjason233]

I hunted CNF this weekend. Inside most national forests there is private property, it is used to block public access, do a little home work and you will find someone that will let you shoot on their private land. Good luck in D11, 13, 15, etc... 3% success rate, or nobody actually reports their deer harvest as required.

I would also look into spending a 1/2 day at the range. Remember to let the barrel cool between shots. Let calguns reloading forum know the calibers and load data you come up with for non lead.

[Carcassonne]

...
It seems there is no target practice in the National Forest, but only hunting.

Assuming I'm using non-lead, how would a ranger know if I'm target practicing (zeroing my scope or chroning my shots) or hunting? What am I missing here?

Granted it's not deer season, but I could be hunting coyotes or something instead of target shooting.

Why can't your target practice in a National Forest?

Squirrel hunting is all year.

.

[edgerly779]

^^^ Read the regs. Ground squirrel hunting is all year. No target shooting.

[nullix34]

Why can't your target practice in a National Forest?

Squirrel hunting is all year.

That's what I was thinking. I could be "hunting" squirrels while I shoot through a chrony to check my bullet speeds. Even zero my scope.

I can try the range again. I had a hard time at the range with my new Chrony. I had to get a "ceasefire" called so I could setup my chrony. Then I find out the batteries I had where dead. Wait another 30 minutes to get a "ceasefire" called. Changed batteries. Then I was getting errors. Wait another 30 minutes. Seems I wasted too much time just trying to figure my chrony out.

[langss]

That's what I was thinking. I could be "hunting" squirrels while I shoot through a chrony to check my bullet speeds. Even zero my scope.

I can try the range again. I had a hard time at the range with my new Chrony. I had to get a "ceasefire" called so I could setup my chrony. Then I find out the batteries I had where dead. Wait another 30 minutes to get a "ceasefire" called. Changed batteries. Then I was getting errors. Wait another 30 minutes. Seems I wasted too much time just trying to figure my chrony out.

Far be it for me to tell you what you should try and get away with, but shooting squirrels through a Chronograph.....is a bit of a reach, but I digress....How about shooting a pellet/BB pistol into a phone book or other throwaway items and make sure everything is working before you go the next day. If you don't have a Pellet/BB Pistol....Big 5 has all manor of cheap, with Coupon's off over $$$. If you go to Angeles early enough, you can pay your fee's and have time to set up everything long before they open the range to live fire. You can leave all your stuff in your car or if you take a buddy haul it all up there and take turns watching all your gear. Just my .02.

[Ford8N]

My friends at the Forest Service said Trump cut their budget, nobody will be patrolling the Forest as much as during the Obama times. YMMV.

[NapalmCheese]

I've tried searching around and couldn't find what I'm looking for. If this has been discussed, please let me know where.

I live in Los Angeles County and have a hunting license. I plan on hunting in Zone D11, but I need to zero my scope and test my reloads.

It seems there is no target practice in the National Forest, but only hunting.

Assuming I'm using non-lead, how would a ranger know if I'm target practicing (zeroing my scope or chroning my shots) or hunting? What am I missing here?

Granted it's not deer season, but I could be hunting coyotes or something instead of target shooting.

Which national forest? Some have target shooting areas (including Angeles), some don't.

[nullix34]

Thanks all for the replies. It seems like there's a grey area, in hunting and target shooting.

For now, I'll just get to a range early or during the week.

[Jimi Jah]

Angeles is an urban national forest. Rules are set by the local head ranger. There are far more restrictions in that forest than any other in the USA. It's a no gun zone.

It's also well patrolled. If a ranger hears more than one gunshot, you are target practicing.