Can you shoot in the Mojave desert anymore?

[metrout]

All,

About 20 years ago my brother and I used to shoot in those hills about 20 minutes or so east of Mojave on the 14 freeway. We were told those hills were BLM land and it was legal to shoot there as long as you had a backdrop, which those hills and canyons provided. Considering the amount of empty shells and shot up junk down there at the time, clearly people were using it to good effect.

Anyway, theses days that area seems to be filled with LADWP solar farms and the trails are all marked for what would appear to be off road use. On my way back from a fishing trip to Bishop a few weeks ago I drove up that old road and all the old shells and stuff people used to shoot are gone. I'm glad that somebody cleaned it up, but there wasnt much evidence of anyone shooting there anymore. That being said, I didnt see any "no-shooting" posts either.

If anyone could provide any info I would really appreciate it. Shooting in those hills with my brother back in the day brings back fond memories, and now that my son is old enough to shoot he really wants to see what the freedom of shooting outside of an organized range is like.

If anyone can offer any suggestions about where would be a good alternate site out in the desert to shoot is, I would welcome it. Please feel free to PM/DM me with this info. I certainly dont want to publish the location any ones favorite "fishing spot".

Thanks!

Randy

['ol shooter]

The BLM publishes a list of places to shoot on their website.

https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/recreation-programs/recreational-shooting/california

[inyocountymark]

plenty of open area to shoot in ridgecrest...Hwy 14 traverses the valley above inyokern and Hwy 395 runs southeast to northwest....if you need a guide just PM me

[sigstroker]

On my way back from a fishing trip to Bishop a few weeks ago I drove up that old road and all the old shells and stuff people used to shoot are gone.

You can fish in Bishop?

[Pofoo]

Be aware that there are a slew of new laws and regulations. You should try to find out who manages the area you're interested in and contact them. But, even these people may or may not be correctly informed and may or may not give you the correct info.
Posting the area here is also a good start.

[hermosabeach]

Chat with the rangers office

Take notes
Write down names, date and time.

If harassed, the details help show why you were shooting



Be aware of the real fire hazard. Bullets- copper jackets bullets - do spark when they hit rocks.

Have shovels, fire extinguishers and stuff to help stop a fire.


Many places have banned bi metal bullets- so have a magnet and check bullets if this applies to your area

[qdx450]

no! because you might cause a fire! in the desert. thats what a BLM ranger told me.

[edgerly779]

Lots of posts on this. Hodge road off the 15 is not BLM. Jawbone canyon is BLM. Nowhere in Angeles National forest.

[The War Wagon]

Anyway, theses days that area seems to be filled with LADWP solar farms

Flash-frying eagles & condors is MUCH bigger business, than recreational shooters.

[metrout]

Lots of posts on this. Hodge road off the 15 is not BLM. Jawbone canyon is BLM. Nowhere in Angeles National forest.

Hodge Road? Is that the hill on side of the 15 the way to Vegas? Have never shot there. Is is pretty organized or is it crowded and out of control? I definitely want to avoid a crowded out of control spot. Anybody remember "Kentucky Range" that is now Desert Marksmen club? What a nightmare that place had become before they shut it down.

In terms of Jawbone Canyon - isn't that mostly for off road stuff? I rented ATV's there once. I think I would be worried about all that traffic.

Thanks for the reply.

R

[metrout]

You can fish in Bishop?

I was fishing the Lower Owens just outside of Bishop.

[buttfish]

National Forest (NOT BLM) allows shooting in their areas, AND also OPEN CARRY. From the information, you may open carry, but no round in chamber. Simple, it beats Commiefornia laws, and you are on FEDERAL LAND.

[edgerly779]

Hodge road is open and you just have to drive past shooters, During the week best or enter off route 66. And Buttfish angeles forest areas has been closed to target shooting for many years

[sigstroker]

I was fishing the Lower Owens just outside of Bishop.

What's that? Bishop seems pretty desolate to me.

[woolybugger]

I shoot regularly in the area you described. There are a few dead end canyons great for shooting. I recently saw a blm ranger at a motorcycle race farly close by and asked about this area just to double check he said it was legal to shoot as long as there are no fire restrictions.