Best Places to Shoot 1,000+ in Western Washington?

[hatter665]

I'm active duty Army stationed in northwestern Washington (Not Ft. Lewis). I'm looking to do some ELR shooting on State DNR or Federal National Forrest land. From my searches on the inter webs thus far it seems whenever someone asks about ELR shooting in the PNW, everyone wants to talk about their local 50, 100-500m ranges, gun clubs, or just contribute nothing by saying "not int the west!" I'm not looking for a gun club or an actual range; as of last year I am a member of the Wildlife Committee of WA.

I'm looking for DNR or national forest land that isn't completely covered by trees where one could ensure safe shoots 1,000m or further. I am figuring there are other snipers, long range marksmen, or hunters on here that have lived in this area that could help me. Hiking in and out a couple miles, and elevation aren't issues for me. If you have been on any trips/hikes/hunts and have seen spots where one could shoot safely into adjacent mountains/hills, or across open fields, that will work for me. For those also looking in this specific area, I saw someone post this place http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2012-04-22.7193883199 on another forum, but I'm trying to see if there is anywhere closer. I don't mind the drive, but I want to spend time with family and not make an entire day/weekend out of it. I do a lot of load testing and I want to gather dope throughout the year on multiple weapon systems, but not go broke filling up my tank. Thanks in advance for those who post something helpful!

 

[Sheldon N]

Most of these kinds of spots can be found with a bit of time searching Google maps satellite view for clear cuts and roads and areas that would present an opportunity to shoot. I'm not in your part of the state but I know there are shooters who are part of the PRS competition scene who are up that way and shoot pretty regularly and probably know the spots. Trouble is getting people to tell you where their honey-hole is.

If you come to some of the local matches it's pretty easy to make friends and get an "in" with the right people who know all the spots. There are a couple matches coming up soon in Wenatchee which probably isn't too far for you.

 

[Steel head]

There’s a good bit of opportunity.
You just need to look at BLM land on google maps then get eyes on potential candidates.
It took my a couple years to develop my spots in Washington and Oregon.

 

[MK20]

Hawgwiew is your friend.

 

[Sheldon N]

You just need to look at BLM land on google maps then get eyes on potential candidates.

Don't forget DNR land too.

 

[cageli]

West WA? The answer is very simple, NO. You need to go East WA to get 1000 yards. Most place in West WA is either too populated or too wooded.

 

[aaronk]

West WA? The answer is very simple, NO. You need to go East WA to get 1000 yards. Most place in West WA is either too populated or too wooded.

Generally true, but can be found if you hit the logging roads and look for clear cuts. Shooting over a road then usually becomes a problem though...

Spots are out there on the west side, but you gotta look for them. Active Army but not at Ft. Lewis, whereabouts are you then?

 

[Bigwheels]

There are several places where I can shoot out to a mile or near a mile. Biggest problem is that nearly every time I've revealed one of these places it gets over run & closed down so it takes some work for me to trust people enough.
Second problem is about 1/2 of those spots are well above snow line & won't be accessible for some time.
Also depends on where your AO is & how far you're willing to travel.
I've been shooting around here for about 20 years but I've been burned too many times.
If you're serious about it PM me & we'll start getting to know each other. Then maybe we'll meet up & shoot.

 

[Steel head]

West WA? The answer is very simple, NO. You need to go East WA to get 1000 yards. Most place in West WA is either too populated or too wooded.

Generally true, but can be found if you hit the logging roads and look for clear cuts. Shooting over a road then usually becomes a problem though...

Spots are out there on the west side, but you gotta look for them. Active Army but not at Ft. Lewis, whereabouts are you then?

This.
There’s some decent places where you can get a decent shooting line clear of rivers and roads.

 

[264win]

I am in the same AO as op and it can be tough to find good spots. There are spots but you have to deal with other people, intermittent access due to weather, road closures, fire danger, etc.
I would suggest trying to gain access to private property. I have had good luck with farmers and ranchers.
Even if it costs some time and $ initially, it can save lots of time and travel cost in the long run.

 

[Rocketmandb]

I live in Cali and have a good process for finding long range spots. With that said, unless you have BLM land nearby, which tends to be open, it's very difficult to find spots on public land that are:

a) Open enough to get decent sight lines out to range
b) Have both shooting position and target access via vehicle
c) Don't have roads or water you're shooting across
d) Don't have people around

I would imagine that most, if not all, of the above are true in Washington and Oregon. I'm considering a move to either NW Oregon or SW Washington, and have done the same type of searches across the Western parts of both states. I found some candidates that, were I to live there, I'd scout out in my Jeep. However, I also found some amazing candidates on the western slopes of the Sierras near where I live now, and in all cases there were too many people around.

I've pretty much given up on it. Luckily, during the winter months, the BLM land a couple hours south is open, and I've also got access to a private range that goes out to 1500. In the summer months, I make a day of my shooting trips and drive 3-4 hours to the eastern slopes where trees are thinner, and people just aren't around. It's worth the drive just to be able to relax knowing no one is going to screw with me.

 

[Steel head]

I live in Cali and have a good process for finding long range spots. With that said, unless you have BLM land nearby, which tends to be open, it's very difficult to find spots on public land that are:

a) Open enough to get decent sight lines out to range
b) Have both shooting position and target access via vehicle
c) Don't have roads or water you're shooting across
d) Don't have people around

I would imagine that most, if not all, of the above are true in Washington and Oregon. I'm considering a move to either NW Oregon or SW Washington, and have done the same type of searches across the Western parts of both states. I found some candidates that, were I to live there, I'd scout out in my Jeep. However, I also found some amazing candidates on the western slopes of the Sierras near where I live now, and in all cases there were too many people around.

I've pretty much given up on it. Luckily, during the winter months, the BLM land a couple hours south is open, and I've also got access to a private range that goes out to 1500. In the summer months, I make a day of my shooting trips and drive 3-4 hours to the eastern slopes where trees are thinner, and people just aren't around. It's worth the drive just to be able to relax knowing no one is going to screw with me.

There’s some fantastic places to shoot in NW Oregon and SW Washington.
Eastern Washington and Oregon also have excellent opportunities.

 

[Rocketmandb]

There’s some fantastic places to shoot in NW Oregon and SW Washington.
Eastern Washington and Oregon also have excellent opportunities.

Eastern and Central don't seem to be a problem. I've spent a lot of time in Central Oregon over the years (family there) and know there's a ton of open land with not a lot of people nearby.

If/when I move up there I might be asking for help on the western stuff

 

[Steel head]

Eastern and Central don't seem to be a problem. I've spent a lot of time in Central Oregon over the years (family there) and know there's a ton of open land with not a lot of people nearby.

If/when I move up there I might be asking for help on the western stuff

Oregon as a whole is pretty blessed as far as shooting areas for LR.

 

[Rocketmandb]

Oregon as a whole is pretty blessed as far as shooting areas for LR.

Honestly, Oregon is pretty blessed as far as almost anything goes outdoors. My grandparents and an aunt/uncle moved there in 1976, and two more sets of aunt/uncles followed - along with associated cousins. I've been going there pretty much every year since. If my/my wife's job would have allowed me to move sooner, I would have. By far my favorite state.

 

[Steel head]

Honestly, Oregon is pretty blessed as far as almost anything goes outdoors. My grandparents and an aunt/uncle moved there in 1976, and two more sets of aunt/uncles followed - along with associated cousins. I've been going there pretty much every year since. If my/my wife's job would have allowed me to move sooner, I would have. By far my favorite state.

Tainted unfortunately by the kooks in Portland

But yea, good hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, food and beer.

 

[Rocketmandb]

Tainted unfortunately by the kooks in Portland

There are crunchy parts, yes...

 

[nealm66]

Its a pain, a buddy of mine’s son has a 100 acres and we shoot across a shallow canyon (for Western Washington) and up a hill in about a 10 year old impossible clear cut. Even painted bright colors, targets are fricking tough to find. Hoping to set some more out when the swamp becomes crossible. There’s a place in selah near Yakima that’s risky but there. Got another buddy in Moses lake that I plan to do some plinking with. Most of the ranges near me only go out to 200 but close the range for 600 matches. Eatonville and pe ell have close to 600. Pe ell is only 30$ a year.

 

[Bigrederic]

You have to google earth it.... there are all kinds of places in East Skagit and Whatcom counties.

 

[harry_x1]

I am in whatcom county (lynden) and we have steel targets set up in mountains upto 1 mile (diff distances). Anyone interested, can PM me and I can share more details. Thanks

 

[308pirate]

What's the deal with shooting over a river? It's not like boats go by every few minutes.

 

[mrtoyz]

I’ve spent a fair amount of times trying to get past 1000 yards in Western WA on public land. Haven’t found anything that was safe. We go to the Ellensburg area and get out to 2000.

 

[nealm66]

I’ve been thinking about joining rock lake shooting range over by Spokane. Does anyone have any experience from there?

 

[steve podleski]

I’ve been thinking about joining rock lake shooting range over by Spokane. Does anyone have any experience from there?

Have a friend who is a member and he loves that range. Max distance is just under a mile. They have a website.http://www.rocklakeriflerange.org/

Another site: https://blue-ridge-ranch.com/shooting/

 

[harry_x1]

I’ve been thinking about joining rock lake shooting range over by Spokane. Does anyone have any experience from there?

Yes, Rock Lake is an absolute pleasure to shoot. the range is flat, but given the plains you get good amount of wind, which is great to hone up your wind skills. You will need to take membership beforehand and talk to owner to get gate access code. Here is another place in western washington where we have steel upto 1500 yards in western washinton https://goo.gl/maps/jMijxcJDSunN9Wdv7

 

[harry_x1]

I’ve spent a fair amount of times trying to get past 1000 yards in Western WA on public land. Haven’t found anything that was safe. We go to the Ellensburg area and get out to 2000.

Try this https://goo.gl/maps/jMijxcJDSunN9Wdv7. PM me for more details.

 

[nealm66]

Nice! Bit too far north for me. Probably 5 hours to rock lake but I have a friend in Moses lake I can crash a couple nights to make the drive worth while. I’ve heard of a place in selah? But fire danger has it closed

 

[Steel head]

What's the deal with shooting over a river? It's not like boats go by every few minutes.

Actually in Washington and Oregon if the river’s have steelhead or salmon they often do have a lot of boat traffic.

 

[KnowNothing256]

Actually in Washington and Oregon if the river’s have steelhead or salmon they often do have a lot of boat traffic.

Plus it's illegal.

 

[pell1203]

A couple of us used to get away a couple of times a year to WA Dept. of Wildlife land (Lt. Murray area) but with the new regulations recently put in place regarding target shooting you are just about required to build a berm behind every target in order to be legal and in full compliance. Unfortunately, if you do this, it puts you in direct conflict with the ‘do not disturb the land’ edict.

No longer is shooting in a slightly downward angle with an open rising slope for hundreds of yards behind the target acceptable. Seems more like they just would rather you not use the land for target shooting at all!

We would love to find some new places near Ellensburg we could either make a day trip to or camp a few days and shoot.

Anyone willing to share?

 

[steve podleski]

The problem with sharing shooting spots is that once it become more well known, you will have yahoos shooting fridges, TV and other garbage which is left as a junk yard and eventually the authorities will shut the site down.

 

[jbuck88]

The problem with sharing shooting spots is that once it become more well known, you will have yahoos shooting fridges, TV and other garbage which is left as a junk yard and eventually the authorities will shut the site down.

This 1000%
Our local range could get confused with a landfill.
I start seeing people leaving tables, broken bottles all over, ovens, fridges, and washing machines out in the middle of the woods.

However not all are bad. Last time out driving the logging roads I passed a group of guys with garbage bags cleaning up after some else made a mess. Didn't have much with me but gave them a couple boxes of 9mm ammo and asked then to keep up the good work.

 

[Steel head]

This 1000%
Our local range could get confused with a landfill.
I start seeing people leaving tables, broken bottles all over, ovens, fridges, and washing machines out in the middle of the woods.

However not all are bad. Last time out driving the logging roads I passed a group of guys with garbage bags cleaning up after some else made a mess. Didn't have much with me but gave them a couple boxes of 9mm ammo and asked then to keep up the good work.

A few of my spots unfortunately get the TV shooting types.
I always try to leave a spot cleaner than when I arrived.

 

[pell1203]

I’ve picked up a bunch of trash as well! Some people can be real pigs!

 

[GONE BAD]

I now have to go across the river to access state land to stretch out to long distance as Oregon has closed all state land on the wetside. While NF land and BLM land is basically open you have to cross private or state property to access these areas and they are gated!
Oh, and of course most spots look like downtown portland ! Garbage everywhere! I used to pick up after the slobs but now I would need a 20 yard Dropbox so now I pick up after myself. I pay $35 a year to access WS forest land .

I'm sure if the state set dropboxes at entry points a lot of this would stop but who knows ?

 

[Slowroll]

This 1000%
Our local range could get confused with a landfill.
I start seeing people leaving tables, broken bottles all over, ovens, fridges, and washing machines out in the middle of the woods.

However not all are bad. Last time out driving the logging roads I passed a group of guys with garbage bags cleaning up after some else made a mess. Didn't have much with me but gave them a couple boxes of 9mm ammo and asked then to keep up the good work.

70 road greenwater? Lol

 

[Steel head]

I now have to go across the river to access state land to stretch out to long distance as Oregon has closed all state land on the wetside. While NF land and BLM land is basically open you have to cross private or state property to access these areas and they are gated!
Oh, and of course most spots look like downtown portland ! Garbage everywhere! I used to pick up after the slobs but now I would need a 20 yard Dropbox so now I pick up after myself. I pay $35 a year to access WS forest land .

I'm sure if the state set dropboxes at entry points a lot of this would stop but who knows ?

Interesting
I’m going this weekend to one of my Oregon spots
I’m interested if it’s blocked.

 

[mr_fullmetal]

Here is my little honey hole. 1040 meters the furthest target. DNR land. And like what someone had mentioned above places like this are above the snow levels. This spot where im at was just over 5k elevation.

 

[Steel head]

 

[Quicksilver338]

I’ve got a spot I’m keeping under wraps. Locals know of it but I’ve been the one to hang most targets and half the time I go up and the targets are damaged. A buddy hung a steel plate off a cliff and we can shoot that one at 1550, 1870 and 2340 yards so that’s nice. Got targets from 600-1200yds otherwise. Find a good spot on DNR land and put in the work yourself and don’t tell others about it.

 

[steve podleski]

View attachment 7711882

Nice! Distance(s)?

 

[Steel head]

Nice! Distance(s)?

That spot is 1800 to 2800

 

[steve podleski]

That spot is 1800 to 2800

LUCKY!!!!

 

[Steel head]

LUCKY!!!!

Yea, with just driving to various landings I can shoot the same targets from 500 to 4000+ yards in that location

 

[jbuck88]

Had a free day to scout for deer so looked around at Google earth and went for a drive. Found 3 new places to shoot 1,000 to 1,700 yards in the couple of places I checked. There are lots of opportunities, just need to do a lite legwork and keep the trash out so it doesn't get shutdown.

 

[GONE BAD]

Interesting
I’m going this weekend to one of my Oregon spots
I’m interested if it’s blocked.

Just seen this. Lol.
They did open state land the 1st of October.
Anyway, were you able to get access to the Oregon spot? Sorry I didn't keep up with this thread.

I haven't shot in Oregon for almost 2 years.

Washington state land is way closer to me (1hr) and I can shoot out 1800 yds.

Still have to be extremely careful and setting steel up is really difficult so I basically just shoot rocks. Anything over a grand I paint .

Talked to a tember crewser (?) one day and he said he was mapping road access for logging in that area and asked me not to shoot there that day.

We had a pretty good conversation.
He said nothing would happen for at least 2 maybe 3 years.
Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[Steel head]

Just seen this. Lol.
They did open state land the 1st of October.
Anyway, were you able to get access to the Oregon spot? Sorry I didn't keep up with this thread.

I haven't shot in Oregon for almost 2 years.

Washington state land is way closer to me (1hr) and I can shoot out 1800 yds.

Still have to be extremely careful and setting steel up is really difficult so I basically just shoot rocks. Anything over a grand I paint .

Talked to a tember crewser (?) one day and he said he was mapping road access for logging in that area and asked me not to shoot there that day.

We had a pretty good conversation.
He said nothing would happen for at least 2 maybe 3 years.
Keeping my fingers crossed

Yes I was.
As a bonus they cut a new road that significantly improved my 3000+ opportunities.

 

[nealm66]

Just seen this. Lol.
They did open state land the 1st of October.
Anyway, were you able to get access to the Oregon spot? Sorry I didn't keep up with this thread.

I haven't shot in Oregon for almost 2 years.

Washington state land is way closer to me (1hr) and I can shoot out 1800 yds.

Still have to be extremely careful and setting steel up is really difficult so I basically just shoot rocks. Anything over a grand I paint .

Talked to a tember crewser (?) one day and he said he was mapping road access for logging in that area and asked me not to shoot there that day.

We had a pretty good conversation.
He said nothing would happen for at least 2 maybe 3 years.
Keeping my fingers crossed

Timber cruiser = estimates volume and grades quality for a sale ( I was a timber faller)

 

[GONE BAD]

Timber cruiser = estimates volume and grades quality for a sale ( I was a timber faller)

Yes. Sorry about that. But he was working on that pitcular project. Probably for the state?
Anyway you get the point

 

[jbuck88]

Timber cruiser = estimates volume and grades quality for a sale ( I was a timber faller)

Around here we call the guy that rides around drinking beer all day while chasing people out of where they should be a timber cruiser. AKA drunk security officer.

Also. He isn't always drunk, just sometimes on the weekends.