Bonetti Road back to being patrolled by US Forest Service

[Jason_2111]

Took the nephews up to Bonetti this morning for a little training, and got a visit by a very friendly Forest Service officer. He was just doing a "compliance check", not on the firearms, but just making sure we weren't shooting up an old TV or the live trees.
Had a brief chat, and he wished us a good day and went on his way, no worries. I noticed at least one other forest service vehicle up there, and when we left, one (couldn't tell if it was the same one from earlier) stationed right at the entrance.

First time in quite a while since I've seen one up there. I thought only the EDSO patrolled that area... is that still the case?

[mansysinatra]

I'm a relatively new shooter and haven't been because I haven't spent time in finding it, but moreso because I've read lots of things it usually being filled with idiots with guns doing idiot things (unsafe, tons of littering, etc).

I guess I'll have to find it now.

[Maconga]

Unfortunately, most California public ranges have "idiots with guns doing idiot things (unsafe, tons of littering, etc)".

[j15w]

I don't think I ever saw SO up there but have seen USFS personnel occasionally for years

[Bainter1212]

This is good news.

A few years back, that USFS guy would have been Ken Marcus, and he would have done everything he could have to find something to charge you with, including checking your guns, searching your person and vehicle, and telling you some B.S. to try to scare you from coming back.

Fortunately for us, or unfortunately for our southern brethren, that scumbag was transferred to socal two years back.

I never mind encountering a friendly LEO in the back country. In fact I look forward to it.

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[j15w]

This is good news.

A few years back, that USFS guy would have been Ken Marcus, and he would have done everything he could have to find something to charge you with, including checking your guns, searching your person and vehicle, and telling you some B.S. to try to scare you from coming back.

Fortunately for us, or unfortunately for our southern brethren, that scumbag was transferred to socal two years back.

I never mind encountering a friendly LEO in the back country. In fact I look forward to it.

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Haha, I remember the pirate4x4 threads... glad I never came across him.

[Jason_2111]

This is good news.

...

I never mind encountering a friendly LEO in the back country. In fact I look forward to it.

Agreed.
And if it keeps the knuckle-head factor down, I'll bring them cookies. It takes surprisingly few turds to ruin the punchbowl for everyone.
(though the knuckleheads tend to leave their brass)

[GR8Guns]

I had read that Mormon Emigrant Trail was closed so no access to Bonetti. Apparently not the case.

[Bainter1212]

I had read that Mormon Emigrant Trail was closed so no access to Bonetti. Apparently not the case.

Mormon Emigrant trail doesn't get plowed, so at it's southern end it won't be passable. That is a lot further down towards 88, everything before that is generally accessible.
I have learned to call the gas station in Pollock Pines before I head up and ask if it is clear, if I intend to drive through. I made the mistake once of trying to get through to 88 in the spring and making it 9/10ths of the way, only to be stopped by a wall of snow.

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[GR8Guns]

Mormon Emigrant trail doesn't get plowed, so at it's southern end it won't be passable. That is a lot further down towards 88, everything before that is generally accessible.
I have learned to call the gas station in Pollock Pines before I head up and ask if it is clear, if I intend to drive through. I made the mistake once of trying to get through to 88 in the spring and making it 9/10ths of the way, only to be stopped by a wall of snow.

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Yikes! That would make for a long day. Thanks for the info on Mormon Emigrant ; that's good to hear. Maybe I'll put on my long johns and head on up.

[irocZlo]

Any news whether Mormont Emigrant trail is closed right now? I know it snowed last week for 1 day but it's been sunny lately right?

Thanks

[Dirk Tungsten]

KEN MARCUS continues his assault on law abiding citizens but can be stopped with your help.

Please forward any complaints, incidents, witnessed harassment or any other information you may have on this individual to my PM.

Didn't he get transferred to SoCal a while back?

[Sapperforward]

Didn't he get transferred to SoCal a while back?

He no longer serves this area.

[fawndog]

Agreed.
And if it keeps the knuckle-head factor down, I'll bring them cookies. It takes surprisingly few turds to ruin the punchbowl for everyone.
(though the knuckleheads tend to leave their brass)

They seem to leave lots of trash too. A frame for targets or a steel tank is one thing, bottles and old appliances is trash.

[Sapperforward]

They seem to leave lots of trash too. A frame for targets or a steel tank is one thing, bottles and old appliances is trash.

I agree too. If this helps keep the area nice I'm all for it.

For the record this is not new. I am up there almost weekly. I see the rangers often. Occasionally they stop and ask what kind of targets I'm using. Then they leave. No harassment or weapon checks. And every time they tell me, "We are just making sure everyone is not shooting up live trees or shooting t.v.'s" or something similar to that. Most interaction are less then one minute.

Usually I offer them to try out a few guns on my steel targets. As of yet NONE of them have taken me up on the offer.