Public lands in CA I can shoot on?

[Iron Squid]

Are there any public lands, aside from BLM land, that I can legally shoot on in California? I've heard conflicting things about US Forest Service lands, and was wondering if someone here could point me in the right direction.

[sevensix2x51]

the way i read the national forest regulations, shooting is generally legal. but anytime i actually ask anyone who works for the forest service, they look at me like i just ran over their dog. one of these days, i am going to find a definitive answer to that....

[Mad Jax]

Plenty of land in the desert, its a long drive, but plenty of vacant and what I would call safe areas to open fire. Feel free to PM me if this is what you are asking

[Interloper]

You can shoot in Nat'l and State Forests and BLM unless posted otherwise.

[Iron Squid]

You can shoot in Nat'l and State Forests and BLM unless posted otherwise.

This is what I've been told. The vagueness seems to be related to fire-restrictions than anything else. I'll check with the local ranger station. Thanks!

[5shot]

This is what I've been told. The vagueness seems to be related to fire-restrictions than anything else. I'll check with the local ranger station. Thanks!

It all depends on what part of the state your talking about. Down here in San Bernardino Co. the Natl. Forest sets designated target shooting areas, and opens and closes them depending on the fire season. The BLM has areas that are shotgun only, and areas (OHV) that are shotgun hunting only. And there is a huge area of the county that has unlimited day or night target shooting and hunting.
You need to let us know what area you are looking to shoot in.

[Nor-Cal]

I've shot at various national forests and haven't had a bad experince with rangers or local Pd!

[HumanBeingExpert]

Is there any BLM land near Rosamond? I would like to go to the desert with my friends to shoot some rifles...

[safewaysecurity]

What's the closest land I can shoot freely on near Walnut Creek? I don't care if I have to drive 45 minutes btw.

[Donny1]

Down here in San Bernardino Co. the Natl. Forest sets designated target shooting areas, and opens and closes them depending on the fire season.

I have been to 1N09 once this year right before they closed it but it seems they do not encourage the use of any of the areas listed here:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjJNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=stelprdb5156888&navid=110250000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&ss=110512&position=Not%20Yet%20Determined.Html&ttype=detail&pname=San%20Bernardino%20National%20Forest-%20Other%20Activities

Moreover they seem to be vague in description and location. The "San Bernardino National Forest-wide shooting plan that started in 1999 does not seem to be meant for the average shooter but more for the more rare adventurer willing to explore, and to take risks of shooting in illegal places because there are no clear designations of the areas and most times you can't be sure your in the right spot.

[GrizzlyGuy]

the way i read the national forest regulations, shooting is generally legal. but anytime i actually ask anyone who works for the forest service, they look at me like i just ran over their dog. one of these days, i am going to find a definitive answer to that....

National Forests are fine, I do 99% of my shooting in the one down the street from where I live. More info on the rules and regulations are here: Firearms in Forests and Parks

The basics: Don't shoot from or across a road, don't shoot across a body of water, be at least 150 yards from buildings/campsites/occupied areas before you shoot. State and county laws apply.

[Cyc Wid It]

Clean up after yourself.

[thefiringline]

I used to work for the USFS in Santa Barbara. When I asked a ranger I worked with about shooting spots he said that technically you can target shoot in any general forest area as long as its forest property, off the road, not across any roads or bodies of water, and away from any structures or campsites, unless otherwise posted or noted. During fire season, there is no shooting allowed. The forest service would prefer people stick to the shooting "areas" such as the Glass Factory or Orosco Ridge for safety (because we all know that sometimes idiots own guns too) and try and keep all the accumulation of trash in concentrated spots.

On the definition of "general forest area" or GFA... basically you have a few different types of lands within a National Forest. GFA is the most basic. This type of area would not be a Wildnerness (eg San Rafael Wildnerness area). GFA's are generally the undeveloped parts of the forest (and unmarked on the maps) although they may have roads, scenic byways, leased properties, and campgrounds or campsites on them. Hunting is also legal in GFA's unless otherwise noted or posted.

You should still check with your local NFS office on what is legal in your area and what isn't. The people there are usually really helpful and nice.

Also, clean up after yourself.

[mrierson]

Barstow Shooting

I've been trying to compile the various maps (Fish and Game, BLM.......) and save them as layers in Google Earth.

Hodge Road -It looks like there are two small (very small) areas of BLM and some going north to the 58 along the shotgun only line.

North of barstow - looks very open with BLM land avoid the military land and respect the not within 150 yards of a structure.

Attached is a google earth version of the BLM areas (yellow) and the Shotgun only (purple hash) map. I hope it can help folks.

[WFO_Racer]

We were sighting in my 7 Mag at Hodge Road a few weeks ago. Some numb nuts rode behind my targets and the hill on their ATV's. Couldn't not believe what I was seeing. So wanted to clean up the gene pool with one well placed round. They did this several times until I drove over to their motor home's and asked why they had a death wish.