Any good non-range gun shooting spots?

[Jdmluvr]

My wife just a bought a new Sig ACP and wants to go shoot it, but she doesn't feel very comfortable at a range yet (too many people, I guess) Anyway, is there a nice place that has a nice big back stop that I can take her too? Maybe a side of a mountain somewhere that someone knows of that's a legal spot.

[#1Townie]

Just hit the mountains. Make it a day for sight seeing and find yourself your own little happy place. IF you want to drive all the way down here i know a few spots.

[vort3xr6]

Deckers, Boulder, Keystone. Those are the only outdoor places I know of.

[Jdmluvr]

Yeah, I thought about just going up and see what I could find. That's almost always the way to go anyway.

[Jmetz]

I find that my neighbors house makes a pretty nice backstop.

[#1Townie]

I find that my neighbors house makes a pretty nice backstop.
Haha

[Penadam]

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=217153978331006193692.0004bcf4e1a3f0869544 e&msa=0

On the way to Deckers.

[modette99]

Come down to Rampart area, pick a place...just please pickup after yourself too many slobs out there. Also I bet the forest service starts closing some of those areas, looking like a mess with shot up trees and garbage everywhere.

[Penadam]

Didn't they already close most (all?) of Rampart to shooting? I've had a really hard time finding specifics about where shooting is legal in the forests as the websites aren't great. I did find some info, and I know the places I posted the map to are legal (as of now).

[Wrider]

Rampart Range road is legal to shoot along as long as you're outside of El Paso County. Technically unless you're on a range or private property, it's illegal to shoot inside of the county. Teller it's legal unless of course you're within city limits or 50 ft of a public road centerline.

[modette99]

^ Then tell that too all the shooting spot/ people along Mt Herman but in El PAso County!!! I have a feeling your wrong here but I'm no expert.

Talked to a Forest Ranger yesterday while stopped coming back from a ride. He HATES the shooters along Mt Herman, the trash and the shot down trees. He said he loves writing tickets for trash, and trees but the real issue he said is the night time shooting that happens and will always happen as they for the most part are a 9-5 organization and the cops don't care to get involved with what goes on up there unless there is a death.

Had to Double check my FS map. Yep, all the areas people shoot around MT Herman is in El Paso county. Just drive up MT Herman and PICK a spot. You will SEE the spots as they stand out like a sore thumb.

[grim]

Just hope on up to Wyoming pull over an start shootin they don't give a flying fzork.

[Wrider]

^ Then tell that too all the shooting spot/ people along Mt Herman but in El PAso County!!! I have a feeling your wrong here but I'm no expert.



Although recreational shooting is generally permitted in the National Forest there are exceptions and conditions. The exceptions are normally outlined in Special Orders. In this case, Special Order 91-08 prohibits recreation/target shooting in all of El Paso County including the area west of Monument. You can obtain a map from us that shows you exactly where these restrictions apply. The best alternative area for recreation/target shooting west of Monument is off Mt. Herman Road and down Forest Development Road (FDR) 322A. This area is located in Teller County approximately six miles from Red Rocks Ranch Road. The other common sense conditions are as follows: (1) you cannot discharge a firearm in or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area (2) you cannot discharge a firearm across or on a Forest Development road or a body of water adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge (3) you cannot discharge a firearm into or within any cave. PLEASE familiarize yourself with Colorado State law regarding possessing and transporting firearms.

Referenced from this page (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r2/about-region/contactus/?cid=stelprdb5189975&width=full)

[modette99]

Interesting seeing as its acceptable to shoot off Mt Herman Rd. Also shooting off FR315, FR314, FR322, FR323, FR324, FR312, FR319, FR320.D, FR320.B FR320.A is acceptable.

Even I have shot off of MT Herman Rd and see daily people in El Paso County off of the other areas shoot. All those are in El Paso County per the FS map.

That does support what I said "The best alternative area for recreation/target shooting west of Monument is off Mt. Herman Road". Mt Herman Rd is part of Rampart Range area and is in El Paso County.

How old is that? FR322A does not exist per the MVUM...LOL FR322 goes down to Palmer reservoir. Where the heck is Red Rocks Range Rd, I'm looking everywhere on the MVUM and see nothing. I see where Red Rocks is in Teller County north of Woodland Park.

You can see Rampart Range Rd is in El Paso County (FR300), MT Herman is FR320. I'm trying to understand what you posted Wrider.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/modette99/MVUMPikesPeakRD_001.jpg

[Wrider]

I'm not sure where everything is, and honestly it's past my bedtime so no more researching for now, but the basics are that anywhere in National Forest within El Paso County, it's illegal to shoot. I know a lot of people do it illegally, and hell I have before, but it's technically illegal.

I'm also thinking you have an older map, and that 322 extends into Teller County now, which is where they're saying to go.

[modette99]

I'm not sure where everything is, and honestly it's past my bedtime so no more researching for now, but the basics are that anywhere in National Forest within El Paso County, it's illegal to shoot. I know a lot of people do it illegally, and hell I have before, but it's technically illegal.

I'm also thinking you have an older map, and that 322 extends into Teller County now, which is where they're saying to go.

Nope newer map, I ride every single route a few times a month...its my play yard if you will. FR322 does go to Palmer Lake but is gated due to them not wanting you to drive near the reservoir. It is located in El Paso County and your quote says Teller...nothing over in that area either with FR322A (My map is 2010, which is the newest one for Pikes Peak Ranger District) Here it is online: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5177645.pdf

If it was illegal then I'm surprised Tom Healy would not get the El Paso SD to shut it down as they hate what has been going on in terms of the shooting and the trash. Shut down the shooting and the trash will not be there at least as bad. (still have bad campers leaving shit around) Mark Leeper who gave me Tom's name/card on Sunday did not say shooting was illegal, in fact he was upset that the lower Rampart area closed driving people to come out. Maybe if I get a minute I'll call the Sheriffs office and see if its legal or not legal and if not legal then why are they allowing it!!! Maybe I'll even call Tom Healy at 719-636-1602

[modette99]

I see they have a contact so I emailed them the El Paso SD. Provided link to the FS site that states that.

I bet the FS site is outdated. Because as you drive up Mt Herman Rd there are little signs that say No shooting next 5 miles (whatever it is), and driving down also signs that say "No shooting beyond this point"...which implies your okay to shoot before that point....LOL

[Ghosty]

In for info!

[Wrider]

I see they have a contact so I emailed them the El Paso SD. Provided link to the FS site that states that.

I bet the FS site is outdated. Because as you drive up Mt Herman Rd there are little signs that say No shooting next 5 miles (whatever it is), and driving down also signs that say "No shooting beyond this point"...which implies your okay to shoot before that point....LOL

Awesome, I'm honestly not trying to pick a fight here, sorry if my posts earlier came off rude, at 10 this morning I'd been up since 4 PM Monday afternoon lol. Twas bedtime for sure. Definitely in for info though!

[Ezzzzy1]

Bought 20lb of Tannerite (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4lFzdQbrHw&feature=related) last week.

Busy the next few weekends but we should get a group together and go blow some shit up!

Edit: aaaand I have a new AR that needs to get broken in :twisted:


.

[The Black Knight]

Come down to Rampart area, pick a place...just please pickup after yourself too many slobs out there. Also I bet the forest service starts closing some of those areas, looking like a mess with shot up trees and garbage everywhere.


^ Then tell that too all the shooting spot/ people along Mt Herman but in El PAso County!!! I have a feeling your wrong here but I'm no expert.

Talked to a Forest Ranger yesterday while stopped coming back from a ride. He HATES the shooters along Mt Herman, the trash and the shot down trees. He said he loves writing tickets for trash, and trees but the real issue he said is the night time shooting that happens and will always happen as they for the most part are a 9-5 organization and the cops don't care to get involved with what goes on up there unless there is a death.

Had to Double check my FS map. Yep, all the areas people shoot around MT Herman is in El Paso county. Just drive up MT Herman and PICK a spot. You will SEE the spots as they stand out like a sore thumb.


Interesting seeing as its acceptable to shoot off Mt Herman Rd. Also shooting off FR315, FR314, FR322, FR323, FR324, FR312, FR319, FR320.D, FR320.B FR320.A is acceptable.

Even I have shot off of MT Herman Rd and see daily people in El Paso County off of the other areas shoot. All those are in El Paso County per the FS map.

That does support what I said "The best alternative area for recreation/target shooting west of Monument is off Mt. Herman Road". Mt Herman Rd is part of Rampart Range area and is in El Paso County.

How old is that? FR322A does not exist per the MVUM...LOL FR322 goes down to Palmer reservoir. Where the heck is Red Rocks Range Rd, I'm looking everywhere on the MVUM and see nothing. I see where Red Rocks is in Teller County north of Woodland Park.

You can see Rampart Range Rd is in El Paso County (FR300), MT Herman is FR320. I'm trying to understand what you posted Wrider.



Nope newer map, I ride every single route a few times a month...its my play yard if you will. FR322 does go to Palmer Lake but is gated due to them not wanting you to drive near the reservoir. It is located in El Paso County and your quote says Teller...nothing over in that area either with FR322A (My map is 2010, which is the newest one for Pikes Peak Ranger District) Here it is online: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5177645.pdf

If it was illegal then I'm surprised Tom Healy would not get the El Paso SD to shut it down as they hate what has been going on in terms of the shooting and the trash. Shut down the shooting and the trash will not be there at least as bad. (still have bad campers leaving shit around) Mark Leeper who gave me Tom's name/card on Sunday did not say shooting was illegal, in fact he was upset that the lower Rampart area closed driving people to come out. Maybe if I get a minute I'll call the Sheriffs office and see if its legal or not legal and if not legal then why are they allowing it!!! Maybe I'll even call Tom Healy at 719-636-1602


I see they have a contact so I emailed them the El Paso SD. Provided link to the FS site that states that.

I bet the FS site is outdated. Because as you drive up Mt Herman Rd there are little signs that say No shooting next 5 miles (whatever it is), and driving down also signs that say "No shooting beyond this point"...which implies your okay to shoot before that point....LOL
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4282/coolstorybro1b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/163/coolstorybro1b.jpg/)


LOL, I just had to do it..

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1461/trollfacelittle.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/trollfacelittle.png/)

[The Black Knight]

All joking aside,

to the OP if you really want to find some land to shoot. Just look up local BLM Land(i.e. a National Forest) as most of those places have plenty of land and you can shoot just about anywhere on them. I'd also advise against shooting into and destroying another tree, but find a nice dirt berm as a backstop. Nothing stops bullets like Earth.




p.s.
that's right, I doubled posted.

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/1461/trollfacelittle.png (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/trollfacelittle.png/)

[kawasakirob]

There is a range up here you could go to? It's secluded with separate firing " booths". There is hardly anyone there, and you can hang targets every 50yds. It's just outside Hot Sulpher past Byers canyon. It's a really nice drive/ride as well. Pm me if you got questions

[troy_v]

I'd also advise against shooting into and destroying another tree, but find a nice dirt berm as a backstop.

It's actually against the law to shoot the trees, or even to affix targets to trees. I shoot in the BLM land behind Mt Herman a lot. I've seen several times where the rangers will drive by and hand out $100 tickets to people who they saw either shooting at trees or simply having targets stapled to trees. One guy had three targets stapled to a single tree. That was a $300 ticket right there.

I have quite a few free-standing steel targets that I use, as well as biodegradable clay pigeons, and I use a wood pallet to staple my targets to when sighting in new optics.

[FZRguy]

Bit of a trek but I like Poudre Canyon directly across the hwy from the fish hatchery.

[modette99]

Heard back...


Mr. Odette,

I wanted to take this opportunity to offer a response to your question about legal shooting areas in the county. In order to reduce the scope of the answer, I will specifically address the area that you reference west of Monument, specifically the Mt Herman area. Shooting is allowed in the Mt Herman area with the exception of the first 4 miles of Mt Herman road from where you leave the asphalt and the road turns into dirt. I cannot remember the name of the cross street there, but it is very close to the fire training center. Once you travel beyond the 4 mile mark, then recreational shooting is allowed in the national forest. You do still need to follow some common sense rules when shooting, such as...have a proper backstop, dont shoot across a canyon or road etc. If you need a more detailed answer or have a specific location off Mt Herman that you want to inquire about, feel free to touch base with Agent Tom Healy of the US Forest Service. I spoke with him before drafting this email as he is assigned to that area and is inimately familiar with the terrain. His email is thealy@fs.fed.us

I hope this information is helpful.

Lieutenant Jeff Kramer
Patrol Division
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
101 West Costilla Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 520-7191

[performula]

There is one near Buena Vista that is supposed to be really good. Free and I think the NRA(?) runs it.

[performula]

Or at least funded by them.

[troy_v]

I'm glad we heard a definitive answer back from the Sheriff. And I'm glad I haven't been shooting there illegally.

[Penadam]

Found some more info on the closures in Pike National Forest.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/about-forest/districts/?cid=fsm9_032539

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm9_032401.pdf