BLM Shooting Spots?

[Joey513pressnell]

Looking for info on where to go for some shooting on BLM land? I've never been, and have had a hard time finding info on where any good spots are. I get most people don't wanna share their favorite spots, but i'm hoping y'all will share some with me. Im a safe shooter, CCW permit holder, NRA member, if any of that helps.

Thanks in advance..

[Bigtwin]

I think most folks would tell you their favorite fishing hole before they told you their favorite BLM spots. Good luck.

[rudigan]

Welcome Joey

[SoCal326]

I assume you're talking about California?

[Joey513pressnell]

Yes. Specifically around Sacramento. I realize I'll likely have to drive an hour or two, but there's something peaceful about being off by yourself.

[1919_4_ME]

I'm not familiar with the Sacramento area, I'm down here in Socal but found this for you.

Directions

Take Hwy 50 towards Tahoe. Exit Sly Park and take a right. Go 5-8 miles down, left onto Mormon Immigrant Trail, another 5 or so miles, right onto Bonetti Road (right after a small Ranger info board on the right). Once you go down Bonetti 2-3 miles you'll start seeing shooting pockets into the mountain side on your right and left. Pick one and set up for the day.


*Edit Checked the satellite map and the pockets look pretty small, maybe 50 yards at most.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mormon+Emigrant+Trail,+California/@38.7092431,-120.5461488,756m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x809a3dc081a1a6c3:0xb698f33bbed50d89!8m2!3d38.7011477!4d-120.3809942

[Joey513pressnell]

That's great info. Thanks. I spent a while looking online and couldn't find anything.

Thanks so much. Hopefully a few other guys will post a spot or two then I can check a few out.

[Tere_Hanges]

Yes. Specifically around Sacramento. I realize I'll likely have to drive an hour or two, but there's something peaceful about being off by yourself.

Nobody near Sac bothers with BLM when there's a bunch of National Forests an hour away. Hell, Reno is 1.5hr from Sac.

[Joey513pressnell]

Are we legally allowed to shoot at National Forests? I haven't done too much research into where we can legally shoot outside of ranges.

[edgerly779]

Try spenceville. Down here our angeles, cleveland and los padres national forest has been closed to target shooting for years except for a few designated spots. angeles no areas at all..

[tabascoz28]

Everyone and their mother were there yesterday at the forest.

[amishfarmer]

Joey,
Just about everyone on here wants to help you out, but the problem is alot of them have had their spots ruined by others who crowd it, leave trash, act stupid while shooting, etc etc. I had a good spot up near Berryessa we used to shoot at until the BLM office shut it down because of people not taking care of it. So alot of us on here (myself included) are hestitant to just give up shooting locations.

However, this is what I can tell you and I had to do the same thing and I'm glad I did. Do some online research. Google maps and street views are helpful to give a good idea. Also OnxHunt is a app that has free 7 day trial and can give you the type of property, elevation and a buttload of info to help. I use Onxhunt to cross reference with google maps of possible locations to make sure I'm on BLM or NF property. Then you gotta make the investment of time, gas to scope out a spot to shoot. That was the hardest thing for me to do as well. But, now I'm glad I did.
You can shoot on NF per this website

https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting

and this is the reference to BLM land

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

onxhunt

https://www.onxmaps.com/

Good luck!

[JamesY]

Hobart Mills

[Joey513pressnell]

Amish Farmer and James,
Thanks for all the info. It is much appreciated.

[oddball]

I think most folks would tell you their favorite fishing hole before they told you their favorite BLM spots. Good luck.

Yep. I had two spots when I lived in CA, and only a small number of people knew about them, and we kept it that way. As a skateboarder in the 70s, I knew this mentality all too well.