Shooting on Hollister BLM land

[tonb]

So I decided to see what BLM land the Hollister office would recommend for doing some target shooting and what not. I looked up the place to call on the web here: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/holli...gulations.html

Shooting Restrictions: For safety reasons, there is NO SHOOTING allowed within 100 yards of any developed parking area throughout the Resource Area. Hunters must abide by all California Department of Fish and Game Regulations. Certain types of guns and ammunition are prohibited on public lands. Contact the Law Enforcement rangers at (831) 630-5000 for specific information regarding guns and ammunition, or send them e-mail.

According to the site, I was directed to call the Law Enforcement Rangers at the above number, so after a quick dial on my phone I was connected to a Ranger. I was very polite and said I was interested in doing some target shooting on BLM land and wanted to know where the best nearby place was that I could do so. The Ranger advised me that the Clear Creek Management area was where I should go, about 25 miles south of Hollister. He also said that I would need to be 1/4mi away from the road, not shoot their signs, etc, use common sense and all that. He also said if I was going to have any title 2 or 3 (?) weapons that I needed to carry all their paperwork (hunh?) and that no automatic weapons were allowed.

While I did get the information I was after, I generally got the impression from him based on his sighing and tone of response that he was not thrilled that I was asking. Makes me wonder if enough morons have given him reason to ahve this attitude or if he just didn't like the idea of having one more redneck out there with a gun to deal with.

I gather they do some 4x4ing up there as well, so maybe I ought to make a redneck weekend out of it and do some wheelin and shooting.

[Rob454]

Unfortunately the rangers get to deal with a lot of a holes. The last time I was out hunting on BLM land these guys pulled up in a truck set up a bunch of bottles and cans and started to let er rip. And I mean they shot a good 1000+ rounds of both rifle pistol and shotgun. I was about one hill away and I watched them through my glasses. They had no clue I was even there.
After that they left all the brass shells and trash where it was.
it doesnt take a lot of people to give everyone a bad name. Even when i go hunting I have a pouch for my shot shells one for the game and one for my empty shells. i dont reload or anything so I jsut throw them in the back f the truck when im done then they go in a trash bag.
Rob

[easy]

If you see someone leaving their trash about, get the license plate. A picture is best, much better as it's 'hard' evidence. The BLM or forest service will go after them!

[triggerhappy]

People like this are why I always pack out more than I packed in. It's one thing if you miss a casing or two, but to just leave this stuff there is piggish. Makes ya wonder what their homes (if they have one) look like.

[JDub]

The Ranger advised me that the Clear Creek Management area was where I should go, about 25 miles south of Hollister.

BTW - Clear Creek would NOT be the place I would head to for some target shooting. Hunting yes, but not just for target shooting. Beautiful area - but also very popular with the OHV crowd (the other drain on my wallet). There's no shooting within 1/4 mile of the main road through the canyon. Getting to a decent shooting area more than 1/4 mile from the main road would require a good 4wd or a long hike. The most you'd find would be some decent plinking sites for pistols or 22s.

When I head down to shoot, I generally hit some of the BLM land off J1. J1 splits off 25 a few miles south of Hollister. Check the BLM resource maps for the other sites. Much more attractive for longer range shoooting. Easy to find 200+ yard sites with good backstops.

[Rob454]

If you see someone leaving their trash about, get the license plate. A picture is best, much better as it's 'hard' evidence. The BLM or forest service will go after them!

No S**t? I didnt know that. I only got to turn in one guy who shot a deer off season. The ranger called me back and they said they caught him the next day. the sob came back for another deer.
Rob

[triggerhappy]

I always opt to shoot out their tires, but hey, whatever floats yer boat.