Grouse hunting forest service roads

[bigtex]

The US Forest Service prohibits shooting on or access their roads. There is no "negligently" clause.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting

Target shooting is allowed on national forest or grassland unless restricted. Check your local ranger district for more information about local restriction. It is prohibited to shoot:   

In or within 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
Across or on a national forest or grassland road or body of water.
In any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
Into or within a cave.
Firing tracer bullets or incendiary ammunition.
Disturbing, injuring, destroying, or in any way damaging any prehistoric, historic, or archaeological resource, structure, site, artifact, property.
Abandoning any personal property or failing to dispose of all garbage, including targets, paper, cans, bottles, appliances.

Bob is correct. Applies to all shooting, doesn't matter if it's target shooting or hunting.

Here's the actual reg 36 CFR 261.10

The following are prohibited
(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:

(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site or occupied area, or

(2) Across or on a National Forest System 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.



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[Skyvalhunter]

What about under BPA powerlines where the property is USFS and has a powerline road? We have idiots that continually shoot on them near us and its quite annoying.

[MIKEXRAY]

That's funny this topic is back in play lol. Some guys will shoot across a gravel road , plus down the same road where a car or truck can come around a corner at anytime.  I would never , I don't think if we add 12 more pages anybody is going to change their personal opinion.  Have a great and safe weekend to all !

[bigtex]

What about under BPA powerlines where the property is USFS and has a powerline road? We have idiots that continually shoot on them near us and its quite annoying.

Look at a forest map. If it has a USFS road number the reg applies.

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[hunter399]

Maybe we should be wearing hunter orange for grouse and turkey these days.
Since we all are Karen ,safety Sally these days.

I figured most on here don't want to do that.
I guess we should just wear hunter orange for all hunting.
Archery,muzzleloader,rifle,grouse,bear,
You know the WHOLE gambit.

Then we will just say no shooting unless you a 1/2 mile from any open road.
Let's just make it a mile,why not right.

Oh wait there's more.
Every hunter has to wear a GPS location device that allows all hunters to know your location at all times.

Slippery slope these safety rules can become.

Great day all.
Stay safe,and use a little common sense goes a long ways.

[Alchase]

What about under BPA powerlines where the property is USFS and has a powerline road? We have idiots that continually shoot on them near us and its quite annoying.

Look at a forest map. If it has a USFS road number the reg applies.

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Bigtex, are gated and closed roads included?

[bigtex]

What about under BPA powerlines where the property is USFS and has a powerline road? We have idiots that continually shoot on them near us and its quite annoying.

Look at a forest map. If it has a USFS road number the reg applies.

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Bigtex, are gated and closed roads included?

By the letter of the law yes. The reg applies on every numbered USFS road.

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[Stein]

Thanks for posting the CFR.  Interesting that the CFR, hunting rules and target shooting rules are all different language with different requirements...

Sounds like you just have to step off the road to be legal, not clear any right of way or specific distance.

The CFR defines a FS road as any road not under the jurisdiction of another entity (state, county, etc).  By that definition, it could be more broad than numbered roads.  The definition of forest road is basically anything the FS deems a road which makes it tough to figure out if you are legal or not.

Forest road or trail.   A road or trail wholly or partly within or adjacent to and serving the National Forest System that the Forest Service determines is necessary for the protection, administration, and utilization of the National Forest System and the use and development of its resources.

[Alchase]

What about under BPA powerlines where the property is USFS and has a powerline road? We have idiots that continually shoot on them near us and its quite annoying.

Look at a forest map. If it has a USFS road number the reg applies.

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Bigtex, are gated and closed roads included?

By the letter of the law yes. The reg applies on every numbered USFS road.

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Thank you

[Dave Workman]

See, I just kNEW it would be a good idea to resurrect this conversation.

Look at the information we've just shared.  Way to go!

[Northcascadeshunter]

I would probably try to find roads that are gated or blocked. There should be plenty of options. I just don't enjoy hunting very much if vehicles are driving by regularly. Besides any grouse along a road that's commonly driven by other hunters are going to be shot before you even get a chance.

I find that regular vehicle traffic tends to at the least bump birds further off ther road/trail. One of my favorite spots is always trash if the gates open but a few weeks after they close it in fall it's stellar. Happy hunting!