Question about open shooting

[SandBlastedSkin]

What are the laws/restrictions on shooting out in the open? I plan on heading out into the hills one day in hopes to find a good spot to go shooting. What do I need to do to make sure where I set up is legal? Thanks.

[Jack L]

Find out what land/property (private, county, state, federal, etc) you want to shoot on and investigate the law regarding that land. Don't just show up and open up unless you are sure.

[Ron-Solo]

Riverside County is very restricted. You can't just go into the hills and target shoot anywhere you want, especially in the Corona/Lake Elsinore/Norco/Riverside area. You will get a visit from the local police and possibly lose your guns. There is a public range in Lytle Creek which is probably the closest to you. The Jack Rabbit Trail area east of Moreno Valley has been closed for several years and they have stepped up enforcement in the area. There some private clubs in the area also.

Ron

[5shot]

If you don't mind driving north to the SBCO desert, there's a lot of public land available for target shooting.

http://www.specialdistricts.org/2/FishandGame/docs/2010_cnty_shooting_areas_final.pdf

[Ron-Solo]

If you don't mind driving north to the SBCO desert, there's a lot of public land available for target shooting.

http://www.specialdistricts.org/2/Fi...reas_final.pdf

Just be careful and be sure of your location.

[SandBlastedSkin]

Wow, that map is really helpful. Do you know where I could find a map like that of Riverside county?!

[TurboChrisB]

Best thing you can do is to pick an area FIRST.....then contact the PD in the area and ask. They'll let you know.

[Notorious]

Just go to a range. You got Lyttle Creek and Prado and West End and all sorts of other places. Why do you want to shoot just in out in the open?

[Timmay]

Do not contact the PD they do not know the areas you can shoot. Contact the BLM office in the area you want to shoot. I have never seen the PD out in the desert areas. They seem to stick to the paved roads, unlike the Rangers. They are the ones you want to talk to.

If you have more questions about that area including Kern County just ask. I go at least twice a year.

[Ron-Solo]

Do not contact the PD they do not know the areas you can shoot. Contact the BLM office in the area you want to shoot. I have never seen the PD out in the desert areas. They seem to stick to the paved roads, unlike the Rangers. They are the ones you want to talk to.

If you have more questions about that area including Kern County just ask. I go at least twice a year.

This is bad advice. BLM only covers BLM Land.

If you are in a city, the PD would be able to enfore any and all laws pertaining to the area. In the county, it is the Sheriff.

As someone else posted, check with the LEA that has jurisdiction over the area you want to shoot. The Palmdale/Lancaster area is patrolled by LA County Sheriff and they do patrol remote areas.

[Letitrip]

Does anyone know of an area where I can legally target practice near the Palm Springs, Palm Desert area? I searched our site for some sort of map or something but I could not find anything.

I have no problem off-roading to a location as I will be on 4X4

[JaeOne3345]

Just go to a range. You got Lyttle Creek and Prado and West End and all sorts of other places. Why do you want to shoot just in out in the open?

I go to Barstow often with friends. It is much funner than waiting for line breaks, being restricted to lanes, etc. We are able to set up small courses of fire with ipsc targets, run and gun, etc. Ranges are fun, but legal open land is a blast as well.

[Letitrip]

I also prefer the open. I am not too fond of all the rules and having to wait for everyone. This is why I am trying to find an open area near the Palm Springs area that is legal. Does anyone know how I could determine if a certain part of the desert is legal?

[Notorious]

I agree with you guys for the same reasons... I just don't know of any within any reasonable distance and there is always that element of danger too that there might be 2 legged predators out there.

Back when Angeles Middle Shooting Ground was an open unregulated range, it was not unheard of for robbers to wait until a group was done shooting and packed up and then they spring on them, robbing them at gunpoint, knowing that the group was likely out of ammo and their guns are in the trunks.

One group supposedly had their stuff all taken, their tires shot out and left out there in the middle of nowhere at sundown so they had to hike it to the closest road... about 15-20 miles out to a remote off-ramp off the 14 freeway.

[Letitrip]

^ Gee thats too bad, and I could see it happening. Its just too bad that a few bad apples were used for the basis to ruin it for everyone. Can you imagine if cars were banned because of all the fatal accidents or a certain Highway was permanently closed because there were was a fatality on it?

I used to frequent pigeon ridge off of Azusa before it closed down. That used to be a very fun place to go to. A few times there were some questionable folks there, bit I never felt overly worried. When I would go I always went with friends, and we always made sure to leave the range with at least three magazines full just in case. It was a long hike up and down.

I like going to remote locations that are only accessible via 4x4 as this limits too many people from going there. The only problem is that it seems impossible to know whee exactly we can legally target practice. Its too bad that we cant just look at a map and know where to go.

If someone can point me to the right direction I will greatly appreciate it. I just want to be able to target practice legally.