Re: where to shoot in Norcal wth cheytac
Shooting Rocks in Kalifornia
CFR 8365.1-5(a)(1) and CFR 8365.1-5(a)(2)
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">There have been a few posts about shooting on BLM land around the bay area so I sent an e-mail to the hollister and ukiah offices and this is what each sent me:
Hollister:
Thank you for your recent electronic inquiry regarding target shooting on BLM Land. The Hollister Field Office (HFO) manages approximately 315,000 acres of public lands located in central California encompassing 11 counties. Legal public access to these lands primarily exists in San Benito, Monterey, and Fresno Counties. There are basically 8 parcels which afford you the opportunity for hunting, hiking, target shooting, camping, etc – the parcel names are as follows: Panoche Hills, Tumey Hills, Griswold Hills, Laguna Mountain, Coalinga Mineral Springs, Curry Mountain, Williams Hill and Stockdale Mountain. The most popular target shooting areas are the Panoche, Tumey, and Griswold Hills.
Target shooting is allowed on public lands, however, you must provide your own targets and remove your debris when you leave your site. It is illegal to shoot at trees, signs, outbuildings, or other objects on federal lands that are for the public’s enjoyment. Bureau of Land Management California policy is to allow the use of firearms on public lands, as provided for in state law, and to cooperate with state authorities in the enforcement of firearms regulations. Persons have the permission of the BLM to possess and use firearms, including lawfully registered assault weapons, on BLM administered public lands, except when prohibited by other applicable laws and regulations.
There are no designated target shooting areas in our resource area, but it is allowed as long as you observe the no-shooting restrictions in effect in and around parking areas and your use is limited to legal weapons and ammunition.
We do offer a Public Information Guide (PIG) – available for $4.00 – which includes an overview of our area. It contains maps (Xerox copies of hunting areas and where the trail heads are located), and information of all publicly accessible lands administered by this office. There are maps for each of the individual areas (listed above), plus a large scale map. The large map shows the location of each of the individual areas as well as major roads and towns. In addition, phone numbers and addresses for other agencies in the area, information on current restrictions (for example shooting or fire restrictions, season motor vehicle closures, etc), information regarding the size of the parcels and other general information pertinent to this office is included. A trail map of the Fort Ord Public Lands is also included in the package.
Additional maps that can be purchased are Surface Management Maps (SMM Maps). These maps are color 1:100,000 scale maps which show federal land status, cities, and main roads and are available for $4.00 each. There are 6 maps that cover our region, they are as follows: Mendota, Coalinga, Monterey, Point Sur, Cambria and Paso Robles. Be aware that we have been involved in many land exchanges, and these maps are not up-to date. The Hollister Information packet (Public Information guide) and SMM maps can be purchased over the phone with a credit card, or you can send us a check or money order made payable to USDI, BLM and mail to 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, CA 95023-2535.
Other California Maps available for sale can be located via the internet at the following site:
www.blm.gov/ca/caso/iac/maps_pubroom.html
If you have any further questions, please feel free to call the office at 831-630-5000 – Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Best regards,
Christine Sloand
Administrative Technician
Bureau of Land Management
20 Hamilton Court
Hollister, CA 95023
831-630-5026
Ukiah:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding hunting on public lands.
BLM has one designated target shooting range in our jurisdiction: North Cow Mountain: has a rifle range, located just north of the willow creek trailhead, and has been developed specifically for target shooting. There are shooting benches and target bunkers positioned @ 50, 100, 200 and 400 yards. Specific public lands are also closed to target shooting and CFR 8365.2-5(a) states you cannot shoot in a developed recreation sites, wilderness areas and coastal monuments. Rules and Regs:
Hunting and Shooting Regulations
1. It is unlawful to shoot within 150 yards of a developed site or dwelling, including camp grounds, or from a road or trail.
2. Be sure your target has a back stop.*
3. Please carry out your targets and expended cartridges or shot shells.
4. Please use paper targets only. Shooting glass objects is prohibited.
5. Possession of assault weapons on public lands, as specified in sect 122276 of the California penal Code is prohibited.
Unless otherwise provided by Federal law or regulations, State and local laws and ordinances regarding shooting and hunting on public lands shall apply and be enforced by the appropriate authorities. BLM is authorized to enforce the California Fish and Game Code, the California Penal Code and the California Vehicle Code, which regulate shooting around buildings and roads.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">* In addition to state and local laws and regulations, BLM enforces the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). CFR 8365.1-5(a)(1) and CFR 8365.1-5(a)(2) states that you cannot shoot at any natural object (trees, bushes, stumps, rocks, etc). Specific public lands are also closed to shooting and CFR 8365.2-5(a) states you cannot shoot in a developed recreation site.</span></span>
Even thought we don’t specifically state you cannot target shoot outside the designated target shooting areas, we suggest that you stay in the target areas. The reasoning for that is when you are finished target shooting we require you to remove all your targets, gun shells, clay pigeons, and any and all items used for your target shooting. Also if our Law Enforcement Rangers see you shooting unsafety or littering, they will cite you for creating a hazard and/or a nuisance or littering.
Hope this helps,
Bethney Lefebvre
Contact Representative
USDI- BLM
2550 North State St.
Ukiah, ca. 95482</div></div>
