Washington Changing Laws for Public Land Shooting

[JustWolf2A]

Target shooting on WDFW lands

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wdfw.wa.gov

Have until the 11th to write in and voice concerns.

Most of it seems like a good idea....but no steel core ammo, and areas being very restricted....no metal targets 6 monthes outof the year

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[drstrangelove]

I sent them a piece of my mind.

 

[bearingman]

Hope you can spare it!

 

[Dungannon]

done

 

[Geardo]

Does this apply to state managed land like March mtn as well? Or only specific WDFW Land?

Do they think m855 is "steel core" ?

Elininating steel targets will increase litter.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Target shooting on WDFW lands

Image

wdfw.wa.gov

Have until the 11th to write in and voice concerns.

Most of it seems like a good idea....but no steel core ammo, and areas being very restricted....no metal targets 6 monthes outof the year

It appears to be developed (at least at first and what it appears to be based on) for the the Wenas area. I've shot in Kittitas and Yakima counties extensively including the Wrnas area. Wenas can be incredibly dry (see photo below). Any hint of a spark can start a fire there. Completely different situation than non-arid shooting areas.

So it may be based on unrealistic fire starting concerns, especially for anywhere on the westside. Extrapolating from one type of shooting area to the entire state is not wise.

Banning steel targets is short-sided. Ar500 manufactured targets that hang freely are very safe and very little risk of fire. They contribute to keeping sites clean because u can easily use steel plates on shepherds hooks and they are easy to remove. People won't leave them behind at the shooting site. Banning them will likely mean more junk left behind.

 

[Member 34319]

@Cogs

 

[Melmelhunter]

"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.".


Leads me to believe all lands that require a discovery pass???

 

[ma96782]

Done. My $0.02 was given.

Aloha, Mark

 

[JustWolf2A]

Target Shooting on WDFW Lands Rule Survey

wdfw.commentinput.com

Here is where you voice you opinions

 

[Stomper]

I sent them a piece of my mind.

Hope you can spare it!

Had enough to make his point...

Dear WDFW,

.


sincerely,


@drstrangelove

 

[Cogs]

@Cogs

I'll have to study this info before I can comment.
I saw an article about that but haven't had the time to read the full details or this thread. The article I read sounded like only adding rules that are the same as WA & OR state lands and the same as Mt Hood rules, whereas the previous rule for WDFW were not very clear on what the rules were. So it sounded like not much change, just clarifications.

I'll check it out and . Thanks!

Bill

 

[ma96782]

BTW, just to start with......I noted that the new rules will prohibit....

5. The discharge of tracer bullets or shells, incendiary ammunition, or steel core bullets, is specifically prohibited on all department lands.

and

7. It is unlawful for persons recreationally target shooting to fail to remove and transport from department lands for proper disposal all shell casings, shotgun hulls, ammunition packaging, and targets or target debris. Failure to remove any such item is prohibited and constitutes littering.

I noticed that no "state of mind" was specified. Nor was a "punishment' specified.

Aloha, Mark

PS....Thus far.....I have NOT observed any signs where the WCFW has specifically allowed a space to be used for recreational target shooting. Mostly it's "Shooting Prohibited" signs that I've seen.

 

[Cogs]

A few things that are defined and enhanced more than state rules:

Backstop definition, Steel Core restriction, Steel target time restriction, Target placement, Target stands and the expansion of the No Shooting near facilities & structures.

Backstop definition: I see the problem all the time and many shooters don't seem to get the idea of a backstop. They are requiring a minimum of 8 feet high with a sharp incline (in otherwords; not a long gradual slope). The top priority is to stop the bullet from leaving the range area and a long sloping grade could easily skip the bullet up and over an 8 foot mound of dirt. Even a flat surface can skip a bullet over a shorter backstop. So, defining the 8 foot height and slope is a good idea.

Steel Core restriction: Steel makes sparks, so, this restriction was inevitable. It's to further help prevent wildfires.

Steel target time restriction: Again, to prevent wildfires. The East side may become drier sooner than the West site but if you were to have a different start date for each side, it may add more confusion to the already involved set of rules we have to learn. How much longer would it be delayed for the West side? Probably only 1 month because starting July, the West side gets real dry and fires can & do happen in any part of the state. You can shoot steel targets from Oct 1 to May 31. Perhaps look at it as the glass is half full rather than half empty.

Target placement: Within 8 feet of the backstop and must be shooting at the lower half of the backstop. That's new and further defined. That is, however, the proper distance to be placing the target and the proper part of the backstop to be shooting at. Again, stop the skipping bullet in the backstop.

Target stands: Further defining what is not a target stand, such as, power poles, fence posts, car parts, ect...

No shooting near structures & facilities: Just more 'common sense' things to avoid shooting near.

Clays defined: Many people automatically think clays are biodegradable, so, they clarified that.

Consequences: They do point out that failure to remove trash constitutes 'littering'. They go further to to site WA RCW laws that are punishable if found to be in violation of this subsection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, how much can we argue with? It's all common sense and appropriate guidelines we already know (or should know) and it better clarifies specific areas that are commonly misunderstood or misinterpreted.

I don't see a need for outrage and anger over these improvements. It's not like they are restricting or trying to restrict our rights. They are trying to provide public safety and fire prevention. It's stuff we should already be doing. If we are to share the land with each other, and with other recreation users, we must make safety and fire prevention our top priority.

Bill

 

[drstrangelove]

My biggest gripe is why the heck shouldn't I be able to use a tin can as a target? I'm going to pick it up and trash it, so why does it matter. Likewise, I have never seen a steel target spark shooting lead bullets at it... the only thing that comes off the impact is lead splatter. Steel core should be reserved for an earthen backstop of course... that will create sparks on a steel plate. But completely banning its use... that is overstepping right there.

 

[Mikej]

Target placement: Within 8 feet of the backstop and must be shooting at the lower half of the backstop. That's new and further defined. That is, however, the proper distance to be placing the target and the proper part of the backstop to be shooting at. Again, stop the skipping bullet in the backstop.

What about the range that the backstop is 100 yards from the covered benches? These rules are saying you can't shoot at 50\75 yards. Or a group of people at a shooting area have to all shoot the same distance? Clearly more people that don't target shoot DICKtating rules.

Oh, and @JustWolf2A , steel targets are banned 4 months of the year. During the dry season, unfortunately, that makes sense. There's some serious dummies out there that would set their gongs up in dry grass.

 

[Mikej]

My biggest gripe is why the heck shouldn't I be able to use a tin can as a target?

That's been one of mine too. The orange bouncy target were made for that purpose, and that's okay? But bouncing a Gatorade bottle is not. Shooting cheap soda 2 liter bottles not okay? One simple, understandable rule : Take what ever you bring with you, back with you when your done.

Shooting ground targets does have one issue. Depending on the terrain where you're shooting, and that is bullets skipping of the ground and flying unknown distances.

 

[awshoot]

They're dividing into two categories the regulations for steel targets:

Steel targets that are manufactured for the specific purpose of target shooting are allowed subject to the following restrictions:

1. When used on a department-designated recreational target shooting area, steel targets that are manufactured for the specific purpose of target shooting are allowed year-round.
2. When used outside a department-designated recreational target shooting area, steel targets that are manufactured for the specific purpose of target shooting are allowed from October 1 to May 31, unless otherwise posted.

It's the shooting of steel targets in random areas that is being limited -- if it is a designated range, that's allowed all year.

As for shooting cans in random areas, the limitation is on steel cans. Aluminum cans aren't mentioned.

The one that bugs me though, is the ban on shooting water balloons:

Containers of liquids, chemicals, paints, or compressed gas;

 

[Mikej]

It's the shooting of steel targets in random areas that is being limited -- if it is a designated range, that's allowed all year.

As for shooting cans in random areas, the limitation is on steel cans. Aluminum cans aren't mentioned.

The one that bugs me though, is the ban on shooting water balloons:

That's the problem, to dang complicated! What if you are in the designated shooting area, shooting steel targets that are made for shooting at, and you're near the edge of the designated shooting area, and a piece of hot metal flies to the grass at the edge of the designated shooting area?

Where are the designated ranges, by the way?

Got it, no steel cans, just aluminum! not sure if that's a joke or not?

What if your balloons have only air in them? NO, "Air" is probably considered a "Gas".

 

[JustWolf2A]

They're dividing into two categories the regulations for steel targets:



It's the shooting of steel targets in random areas that is being limited -- if it is a designated range, that's allowed all year.

As for shooting cans in random areas, the limitation is on steel cans. Aluminum cans aren't mentioned.

The one that bugs me though, is the ban on shooting water balloons:

Seems like no more tannerite either??