Target shooting on wdfw lands rule changes

[jasnt]

Just wanting to bring this to everyone’s attention


https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/wdfw-lands/recreation-planning/rule-development/target-shooting#

During the summer of 2017, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) formed a target shooting advisory group to help determine rules for target shooting on the Wenas Wildlife Area in Kittitas and Yakima counties. Members of the advisory group included representatives from a number of interested parties.

As the group developed a localized strategy for the Wenas Wildlife Area, it was clear that the department needed a comprehensive, statewide target shooting rule for all WDFW owned and managed lands. Members of the advisory group provided feedback encouraging the department to develop a draft rule that could go into effect for all WDFW lands.

The proposed target shooting rule update is available for review below.

The department will accept comments for the proposed update until June 10, 2020. Members of the public can submit comments by completing the Target Shooting Rule Survey.

There will be further opportunity to provide comment during the June meeting of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The department anticipates enactment of an updated target shooting rule in January 2021.

[Magnum_Willys]

Didnt see much to worry about being wdfw land.   Not supposed to shoot at rocks.  Which generally is a good rule at shooting areas , so at long range need to start shooting a foot to right of the rock and make sure no creek between you and target. 

Edit: on further thought not legal to shoot unless you have placed a commercial target out there.  Hmmm

[700xcr]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

[Magnum_Willys]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

Agreed!  But the State recognizes shooting as a popular use of public lands. Most of us aren’t near a public facility that accommodates 1000 yard shooting, much less 1700 yards. 

[jasnt]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

Agreed!  But the State recognizes shooting as a popular use of public lands. Most of us aren’t near a public facility that accommodates 1000 yard shooting, much less 1700 yards. 

also the guys shooting long range on public lands don’t shoot cheap steel core crap. 

[timberfaller]

Just be careful who you trust!  There are department employee's who would like nothing more then to close down established ranges on department lands.

pssssst, its called "lead contamination" brought to you by the "Bio-diversity Groups" and your local anti's!

[Magnum_Willys]

Just be careful who you trust!  There are department employee's who would like nothing more then to close down established ranges on department lands.

pssssst, its called "lead contamination" brought to you by the "Bio-diversity Groups" and your local anti's!

Yep, done in California, just a matter of time.  Time to start testing Hammer Bullets I guess......

[konradcountry]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

Not everyone has a range near them and some of them only allow so many members or have lame requirements like you must join a certain political organization.

[700xcr]

So who is going to manage these public ranges, the State Game Department  going to have RO's to make sure everyone is safe and shooting correct ammo? You know you will have that one more with an AR or AK shooting cheap steel core ammo.

[huntandjeep]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

There's no 1500 yard public range in my area , And I don't shoot cheap ammo

[700xcr]

Granted people you longer range guys reload your ammo! I don't see a problem with it.  You will still get the bad apples that ruins it for the real shooter that cares. Just saying all it takes is one bad apple that buys cheap ammo (steel core) shooting that rock across the way and ignite a spark and then have a fire. Then the area will be closed off. Then it puts us honest Shooters in the same category of the one starting the fires. We the good shooters take a bad check mark. Just saying. Designated ranges has rules but they still don't follow the rules that's why you got to watch him like a hawk.

[jay.sharkbait]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

I’m not willing to do that.

There aren’t any that have useful distances
There are caliber restrictions
There are restrictions on muzzle devices
Forced to join NRA
Overzealous RO’s who don’t know much about firearms.
Fart dust oldtimers that treat new members like S.

And that’s just a start.

[jay.sharkbait]

Granted people you longer range guys reload your ammo! I don't see a problem with it.  You will still get the bad apples that ruins it for the real shooter that cares. Just saying all it takes is one bad apple that buys cheap ammo (steel core) shooting that rock across the way and ignite a spark and then have a fire. Then the area will be closed off. Then it puts us honest Shooters in the same category of the one starting the fires. We the good shooters take a bad check mark. Just saying. Designated ranges has rules but they still don't follow the rules that's why you got to watch him like a hawk.

I’ll bet more fires are started by glass and garbage by the side of the road than steel core ammunition.

Also smokers. Can you smoke on State land?

[762Armo]

If you want to target practice join a actual  shooting facility! I am a Safety Advisor at our local range. Half of the people don't care what type of ammo they shoot. They buy the cheapest ammo (steel core) and shoot steel targets and rocks. Then have fires. My actual 2 cents worth.

I think it's important to note the difference between "steel cased" ammo and "steel core." Most people don't shoot "steel core" ammo. Vast "cheap" made ammo is "lead core, steel case"

And people shouldn't be forced to join an "actual shooting facility" to enjoy shooting on public land.

[700xcr]

I am not going to argue with you! But I don't want to hear you whine and cry when someone starts a fire and the area is closed off.

[fireweed]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

[jasnt]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

i don’t doubt it for a sec.   hopefully this only pertains to wdfw land and not all public land

[bigtex]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

i don’t doubt it for a sec.   hopefully this only pertains to wdfw land and not all public land

WDFW can't regulate target shooting off WDFW land

[bigtex]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

Everything you mention is actually already in the current regs.

WAC 220-500-140
Firearms and target practicing.
(1)(a) It is unlawful to discharge tracer or incendiary ammunition on department lands.
(b) It is unlawful to discharge firearms in those portions of department lands where or when such discharge is prohibited by department posted notice or from or within five hundred feet of a department designated campground. Violating this subsection is a gross misdemeanor if the violation creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person, pursuant to RCW 9A.36.050.
(c) It is unlawful to fail to remove expended shell casings, ammunition packaging, or other related target debris, excluding clay pigeons, when target practicing on department lands at the conclusion of the target practice session and prior to departure from the area. Failure to remove debris constitutes littering.
(d) The use of glass, signs, appliances, mattresses, TVs, furniture, and exploding items as targets in target practicing is prohibited.
(2) The department may designate locations and times for target practicing consistent with resource management or public safety concerns.

[jasnt]

Thank you @bigtex

[jay.sharkbait]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

Everything you mention is actually already in the current regs.

WAC 220-500-140
Firearms and target practicing.
(1)(a) It is unlawful to discharge tracer or incendiary ammunition on department lands.
(b) It is unlawful to discharge firearms in those portions of department lands where or when such discharge is prohibited by department posted notice or from or within five hundred feet of a department designated campground. Violating this subsection is a gross misdemeanor if the violation creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person, pursuant to RCW 9A.36.050.
(c) It is unlawful to fail to remove expended shell casings, ammunition packaging, or other related target debris, excluding clay pigeons, when target practicing on department lands at the conclusion of the target practice session and prior to departure from the area. Failure to remove debris constitutes littering.
(d) The use of glass, signs, appliances, mattresses, TVs, furniture, and exploding items as targets in target practicing is prohibited.
(2) The department may designate locations and times for target practicing consistent with resource management or public safety concerns.

What about smoking cigarettes?

[bigtex]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

Everything you mention is actually already in the current regs.

WAC 220-500-140
Firearms and target practicing.
(1)(a) It is unlawful to discharge tracer or incendiary ammunition on department lands.
(b) It is unlawful to discharge firearms in those portions of department lands where or when such discharge is prohibited by department posted notice or from or within five hundred feet of a department designated campground. Violating this subsection is a gross misdemeanor if the violation creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person, pursuant to RCW 9A.36.050.
(c) It is unlawful to fail to remove expended shell casings, ammunition packaging, or other related target debris, excluding clay pigeons, when target practicing on department lands at the conclusion of the target practice session and prior to departure from the area. Failure to remove debris constitutes littering.
(d) The use of glass, signs, appliances, mattresses, TVs, furniture, and exploding items as targets in target practicing is prohibited.
(2) The department may designate locations and times for target practicing consistent with resource management or public safety concerns.

What about smoking cigarettes?

What does that have to do with target shooting? But to answer your question there is a statewide fire law that pertains to smoking cigarettes in forest/brush areas.

[jay.sharkbait]

Here's the problem with the whole process--there are absolutely no guarantees that a single acre will be open to shooting.  They say, "Wait, that's not true, all state land is open unless closed!"  But in reality after this whole dog and pony show, they will just close everything.  (OK maybe a few spots in huge eastern Wa wildlife areas will be open, but that's it). That's how it worked when they developed the "public process" and rules for camping a few years back

Go to the rules at where camping should be allowed (boat launches, all wildlife area land)--and then compare that with the end result on the ground--no camping signs everywhere.   They came up with this huge public process, got buy-in on "common sense" rules, made everyone feel good about the results--then they closed pretty much all land on the west side of Cascades anyway.  They did it with signs, maps,  and a line-items in a wildlife area plan.  All Administratively done without further input. 

Mark my words, the details of their shooting rules will make no difference.  They will just close pretty much everything, everywhere with administrative actions like signs, and insertions in a plan.  There needs to be guarantees that if a parcel of WDFW is so large (640 acres for example) it must allow shooting somewhere.  I think the same thing should be put in for camping, too.  Guarantees that large areas will allow camping.

Everything you mention is actually already in the current regs.

WAC 220-500-140
Firearms and target practicing.
(1)(a) It is unlawful to discharge tracer or incendiary ammunition on department lands.
(b) It is unlawful to discharge firearms in those portions of department lands where or when such discharge is prohibited by department posted notice or from or within five hundred feet of a department designated campground. Violating this subsection is a gross misdemeanor if the violation creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person, pursuant to RCW 9A.36.050.
(c) It is unlawful to fail to remove expended shell casings, ammunition packaging, or other related target debris, excluding clay pigeons, when target practicing on department lands at the conclusion of the target practice session and prior to departure from the area. Failure to remove debris constitutes littering.
(d) The use of glass, signs, appliances, mattresses, TVs, furniture, and exploding items as targets in target practicing is prohibited.
(2) The department may designate locations and times for target practicing consistent with resource management or public safety concerns.

What about smoking cigarettes?

What does that have to do with target shooting? But to answer your question there is a statewide fire law that pertains to smoking cigarettes in forest/brush areas.

Just trying to make sense of stupid *censored* and maybe a little perspective.

I’ll stop now.

Enjoy your bureaucracy..,