USFS Closes "7013 Pit" to Target Shooting After Years of Problems

[bigtex]

Everett, Wash. July 2, 2018— Beginning today, July 2nd, the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will close an area off the Highway 410 corridor to recreational shooting due to significant public safety concerns and resource damage issues.

The area generally known as the 7013 pit, located approx. 2.5 miles east on Forest Service Road #70 south of the Greenwater community off of Hwy 410, will be closed to recreational shooting due to continued unsafe shooting practices, resource damage, garbage left behind from target shooters, as well as shooting related safety concerns associated with a nearby subdivision.  Public safety concerns at the 7013 pit have been reported to the Snoqualmie Ranger District over the last several years.

The Forest Service has worked extensively with the recreational shooting community to mitigate negative impacts associated with the 7013 shooting pit.  These efforts included realigning the shooting area to create an adequate backstop, as well as coordinating multiple volunteer clean-up events with partners to remove garbage and debris left behind by recreational shooters.  Despite these efforts,  the  negative impacts have continued to occur at the site.

Various alternative areas exist within a few miles of the 7013 pit with adequate backdrops for recreational shooting . Following this closure, the Forest Service will continue to engage in a public process to assess target shooting needs on National Forest System lands within the 410 Highway Corridor and implement any necessary changes.

Much of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests is open to recreational target shooting.  It is an appropriate use of the forest, when done safely and with respect to the land and property. Learn more about safe recreational shooting practices at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mbs/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5324910.

[yorketransport]

I'm surprised it took this long for them to shut it down. I went there one time years ago with my brother who lives up in Enumclaw and I'd never go back. Tons of garbage and reckless behavior up there.

It's to a point now where most of my really good shooting spots are closely guarded secrets. It just takes a couple groups of delinquents rolling into an area to ruin it for everybody.

[CAMPMEAT]

Only took the USFS about 40 years to close it.............I remember going up in that area elk hunting and it was mess them....

[h20hunter]

Good. Maybe the slobs that litter, leave big items all shot to heck, and damage property will take the hint. Doubt it!

[Russ McDonald]

So this isn't the big pit.  This is right on the border of Hancock and FS land.   It is basically where they started some elk forage units.  I am having a hard time going to the big pit to shoot.   I always bring back more stuff then i went with. That big main pit isn't going to be fast from the same fate.

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[jstone]

This stuff does not surprise me. When I hunt around Wenatchee in the late archery I see couches and lots of garbage from shooters. They are the first to get pissed, don’t dump your garbage and clean up after yourself and this wouldn’t happen.

Simple

[lewy]

I to am not surprised, bunch of freakin slobs. It actually puts me in a bad mood when I drive by there lol

[CAMPMEAT]

This stuff does not surprise me. When I hunt around Wenatchee in the late archery I see couches and lots of garbage from shooters. They are the first to get pissed, don’t dump your garbage and clean up after yourself and this wouldn’t happen.

Simple

People need to stop being cheap asses and take it to the dump for $20.

[justyhntr]

Is this the big pit right off of the 70 rd. ?

[Russ McDonald]

Is this the big pit right off of the 70 rd. ?

It is not the big pit that has the barriers in front where people shoot from if that is what your talking about.  If is the very first shooting area on 70 just a bit up from 410.

[Thehowler]

A group of folks had a rifle range set up on a straight stretch of the 70 road, above there, one time when I was driving through.

[Stein]

It won’t resolve the problem, just move it.


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[Russ McDonald]

Here is a link with a map on it for the closure area and bigtex posted the USFS closure order with a map to.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/forest-service-closes-target-shooting-area-near-greenwater-following-residents-complaints/

[Knocker of rocks]

A group of folks had a rifle range set up on a straight stretch of the 70 road, above there, one time when I was driving through.

Yikes. I’ve seen similar on FS 17

[Jellymon]

Wendy Scholl, who also lives in the Crystal River Ranch neighborhood, said she has watched shooters firing into the air with semi-automatic weapons at clay pigeons.

So.....shotguns?