Washington DNR and target shooters.

timac · May 6, 2016

They would like to hear your ideas.

NEWS Release

May 5, 2016

DNR to hold conversations on target shooting in popular state forests

Spring meetings set for Capitol, Tahuya, Harry Osborne and Yacolt Burn

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting target shooters, recreationists, nearby homeowners and the public to join in discussions this spring about how to best manage target shooting in select state forests, the agency announced today.

A series of public meetings will offer Washingtonians a chance to weigh in with their views on how DNR can best offer opportunities for target shooting in <broken link removed> , <broken link removed> , <broken link removed> and <broken link removed> state forests, without endangering the public or restricting other vital uses of state lands.

"In Washington, we have growing numbers of homes near state lands and more people out enjoying the landscapes for hiking, mountain biking, off-road-vehicle riding and target shooting," said Brock Milliern, DNR statewide recreation manager. "This combination is creating challenges for everyone."

Milliern hopes the public forums will help build consensus on the best way to manage target shooting in several state forests popular with recreationists.

"We're interested in hearing ideas on how to manage target shooting in a way that keeps people safe and allows everyone to enjoy our state lands," he said.

Each meeting begins with a 6:30 p.m. presentation followed by an open house:

· Tuesday, May 17 at the North Mason High School Cafeteria, 150 E. North Mason School Road, Belfair, WA 98528

· Tuesday, May 31 at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA 98661

· Wednesday, June 1 at the Burlington-Edison High School Cafeteria, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington, WA 98233

· Thursday, June 2 at The Evergreen State College Longhouse Education and Cultural Center, 2800 Dogtooth Lane NW, Olympia, WA 98505

Target shooting is currently allowed during the day on most DNR-managed lands in areas with an unobstructed, earth backstop that can safely stop all bullets. No shooting is permitted within 500 feet of a recreation site or structure. Shooting is also not permitted across, along or down roads or trails. Shooters are urged to pack out all shells, brass, paper and other debris.

Recreation on DNR-managed lands

DNR-managed lands provide more than 1,100 miles of trails and 160-plus recreation sites on a variety of landscapes throughout Washington state. Many recreation areas are located on state trust lands, which are managed for environmental stewardship with the primary responsibility of providing revenue for public institutions, such as K-12 schools. Learn more at www.dnr.wa.gov/recreation.

Media Contact: Carrie McCausland, Deputy Communications Director, 360-902-1523, [email protected].

timac · May 27, 2016

Reminder for those that can attend the meetings.

https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...ing-opportunities-in-washington-state-forests

thirtycal · May 29, 2016

There's a public hearing on Tuesday, May 31rst in Vancouver to talk about shooting on BLM land in the areas north of Camas and Washougal:

https://www.nraila.org/articles/201...ing-opportunities-in-washington-state-forests

-Thirtycal

thirtycal · May 29, 2016

Here's a link from the WA state Department of Natural Resources, with more details. More than likely, homebuilding has now encroached on the traditional shooting areas up in the BLM lands, so obviously those homeowners would want to change the rules to better suite themselves.

<broken link removed>

The DNR manager said, "We're interested in hearing ideas on how to manage target shooting in a way that keeps people safe and allows everyone to enjoy our state lands"...

...Which is code for "We've already decided the outcome, now we just need to pretend to involve the public in our decision-making process".

If anyone thinks they can make a difference, I would encourage your attendance. And don't be a horse's patootie. Since I would definitely be a horse's patootie, I will not be attending.

-Thirtycal

Joe13 · May 29, 2016

I'll be there.

I'll walk out and go home if it's a circus.

Edit: are we open carrying to this or going incognito ?

pacnw · May 30, 2016

Joe13 said:
Edit: are we open carrying to this or going incognito ?

Depends on where it's held.

For the meeting in our area it was at a school, so no firearms "allowed".

Joe13 · May 31, 2016

pacnw said:
Depends on where it's held.

For the meeting in our area it was at a school, so no firearms "allowed".

It's at a water resources center so it should be legal. I think I'm just going to stay concealed though. No need to get some negative attention.

Adam M · May 31, 2016

I'm surprised there are only a few people talking about this on here.

The rather famous Sedro Woolley / Medford pit is targeted for closure as well. I go there all the time and it's always crowded.

Hearing is tomorrow. Who is going to attend?

Adam M · May 31, 2016

There is another thread on here which is a duplicate of this but the title of that one was not alarming enough.

I don't know which other pits are affected but the Sedro Woolley / Medford pit can be closed to shooting forever unless you attend tomorrow 6/1

From NRA-ILA:

The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be holding public meetings this week to discuss target shooting in state forests. It is imperative that shooters attend these meetings and weigh in. If non-shooters and anti-gun advocates are the loudest voices next week, these meetings will become the first step in prohibitingshooting on state lands.

We urge you to attend the following meetings beginning at 6:30 p.m.:

Tonight, May 31, located at the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, to discuss Yacolt Burn State Forest;
Wednesday, June 1, located at the Burlington-Edison High School cafeteria, 301 N. Burlington Blvd., Burlington, to discuss Harry Osborne State Forest;
Thursday, June 2, located at The Evergreen State College Longhouse Education and Cultural Center, 2800 Dogtooth Lane NW, Olympia, to discuss Capitol State Forest.

Keeping public lands open for hunting and target shooting is an NRA priority and the involvement and activism of individual NRA members is critical. There is a lot of public land at stake that could be closed to target shooting.

The ability to target shoot on public lands in an informal setting is being threatened by the increased use of these lands by non-shooters. Ensure that your public lands are not closed to shooting!