Shooting On Public Lands

[Lexington]

Thanks for the link and the extra information. I'll look into it...

[Moccasin]

Back to the topic of the thread, I am inclined to do some research on shooting in the national forest. I am having a hard time reconciling the absolute unrestricted freedom I had in CO with the rules I'm hearing about here in VA. No doubt you all have a better understanding of it since I'm new here, but I need to find codified details.

As to the comment that a lot of people are using the forest for a lot of things, shooters are among that population of recreational users, and there is room for us too.

It bums me out to think that I'll be oiling my rifles more than I will be shooting them.

Va nor CO set the rules for shooting on national forest property. I tend to belive that there are more people using the forests on the east coast than there are in Colorado. There is room for us but I think it is confined based on the land usage.

Regardless of the laws/rules there are closer ranges to you than those on national forest property. Rick (all-in-general) posted about a range near you recently. I know there is one on US15 and another in Charlottesville. You'll have to pass all 3 to get to a national forest, probably cheaper to join one of them than buying gas and driving the distance.

I've been living in VA for all of my adult lif, I've always been able to find a place to shoot my rifles. (hint- WMA ranges aren't always watched through the summer)

[gfost1]

Howdy, Y'all

Of the 36 Wildlife Management Areas operated by the DGIF, six offer shooting opportunities for rifle and shotgun enthusiasts. For a detailed explanation regarding the absence of handgun shooting facilities, please see

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/cwma- ... -range.pdf

For maps and other details, please see

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/

Regards,

George

RULES FOR SIGHTING-IN RANGE
1. THE RANGE IS OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE TUESDAY – SUNDAY FROM SEPTEMBER 1 – MARCH 31. THE RANGE IS CLOSED FROM APRIL – AUGUST.
2. HOURS OF OPERATION: CLOSED ON MONDAYS
SEPTEMBER TUESDAY – SATURDAY 9AM TO 6:30PM SUNDAY 1PM TO 6:30PM
OCTOBER – JANUARY TUESDAY – SATURDAY 9AM TO 4:30PM SUNDAY 1PM TO 4:30PM
FEBRUARY – MARCH TUESDAY – SATURDAY 9AM TO 5:30PM SUNDAY 1PM TO 5:30PM
3. ONLY RIFLES OR SHOTGUNS SHOOTING AT STATIONARY TARGETS ARE ALLOWED.
4. THE USE OF HANDGUNS, FULLY-AUTOMATIC FIREARMS, TRACERS, INCENDIARY- OR ARMOR-PIERCING AMMUNITION IS PROHIBITED.
5. SHOOT ONLY FROM DESIGNATED SHOOTING STATIONS.
6. ALL FIREARMS MUST REMAIN UNLOADED WITH ACTIONS OPEN UNTIL SHOOTER IS SEATED AT FIRING POSITION. LOADED FIREARMS MUST REMAIN POINTED DOWN RANGE. MUZZLE SHOULD ALWAYS BE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
7. BEFORE GOING DOWN RANGE, BE SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS STOPPED SHOOTING. CALL OUT LOUDLY “IS IT SAFE TO GO DOWN RANGE?”
8. THE HANDLING OF ANY FIREARMS IS PROHIBITED WHILE ANYONE IS BEYOND THE FIRING LINE.
9. ALL TARGETS MUST BE ATTACHED TO TARGET FRAMES AT DESIGNATED LOCATIONS ON THE 25, 50 OR 100 YARD TARGET LINES. SHOOTING OF TARGET SUPPORTS OR POSTS IS PROHIBITED.
10. USE PAPER TARGETS ONLY. USE OF UNAUTHORIZED TARGET MATERIALS SUCH AS CANS, BOTTLES OR OTHER ITEMS IS PROHIBITED.
11. SHOOTERS MUST WEAR EYE AND EAR PROTECTION.
12. SHOOTERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLEANING UP ALL BRASS, SHELLS AND TARGET MATERIALS. KEEP THE RANGE CLEAN AND SAFE BY TAKING YOUR TRASH HOME.
13. ORGANIZED COMPETITIVE SHOOTING IS PROHIBITED.
14. ALCOHOL, NARCOTIC DRUGS OR ANY OTHER INTOXICANTS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
15. PLEASE RESTRICT SHOOTING TIME TO 1 HOUR WHEN OTHERS ARE WAITING.
16. THIS AREA IS SUBJECT TO SURVEILLANCE BY CAMERA AND PLAIN CLOTHES PERSONNEL.
17. REPORT VIOLATIONS OF ANY RANGE RULES TO 1-800-237-5712. THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME AND INLAND FISHERIES RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY RULES AND CLOSE THE RANGE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR TRAINING OR SPECIAL EVENTS.
VIOLATORS OF THE ABOVE RULES WILL BE PROSECUTED

Amelia WMA

Located between U. S. Routes 60 and 360, the Amelia Wildlife Management Area is about 25 miles southwest of Richmond and 10 miles north of Amelia Courthouse. From U. S. 60 at Flat Rock, turn south on route 622: right onto route 610; and right onto route 604 to Mason's Corner. From U. S. Route 360, turn north on Route 604.

Shooting Range

After a brief closure for facilities maintenance, the shooting ranges at Amelia Wildlife Management Area re-opened to the public on September 1, 2006 with some changes to the schedule of operation and rules. Three shooting ranges are available, including a rifle sighting-in range, a clay-bird shotgun range, and an elevated station for archery practice. Facilities are not available for handguns. The Amelia WMA ranges are normally open to the public from September 1 - March 31 on every day of the week except Monday. The ranges are closed every Monday for maintenance. The ranges may also occasionally be closed at other times as posted in advance on-site.

The Amelia sighting-in range has 6-stations from which the shooter fires through a concrete "tube" into the backstop at 100 yards. There are target points at 25, 50 and 100 yards. Shooters may sight-in centerfire or muzzleloading rifles, or they may pattern their shotgun at the sighting-in range. No pistols are allowed. No reservations are required and there are no fees.

Chickahominy WMA

The Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area is most readily approached from state route 5 eight miles east of Charles City Courthouse, at Rustic. Here, take route 623 north. The area may also be approached from U.S. Route 60 at Providence Forge by taking State Highway 155 south; then left onto route 614;, left again on 615 and bear right onto 623. Consult the map for greater detail.

Shooting Range

Be sure to bring your own paper targets, cardboard backing, clothespins and tape. No reservations are required and there are no fees. No pistol shooting is permitted. Shooters are limited to one hour of shooting when the range is full.

Clinch Mountain WMA

Directions The closest town is Saltville, reached from I-81 and Chilhowie via state route 107. In Saltville, turn left onto route 91 (1/4 mile); then right onto route 634; bear left onto 613 and proceed 3 1/2 miles; then right onto route 747 to the area. Consult map for greater detail.

Facilities

The area has a good road system for gaining access to the interior although some are open only during specified seasons. Closure of roads, scheduled to be open, may also occur during periods of inclement weather. There is ample parking space. Two boat ramps are available at Laurel Bed Lake. A shooting range for archery (broadheads prohibited) is near the resident manager's house. A 100-yard sight-in range is available from September 1 through March 31, weather permitting. The range is for zeroing-in rifles and patterning shotguns; use of pistols and revolvers is prohibited.

Gathright WMA

The Gathright Area is located about seven miles west of Warm Springs and about 10 miles north of Covington. Access the area via State Route 39 west of Warm Springs and Route 600 south to the management area. Consult map for more detail

Shooting Range

The sighting-in range is located on the Gathright WMA in Clay Lick Hollow and may be accessed from State Route 600 south of Route 39.



C. F. Phelps WMA

The Phelps Wildlife Management Area, located near the village of Sumerduck, is accessible by route 651, either south from U.S. Route 29 through the Town of Remington, or from U. S. Route 17, one mile north of Goldvein Post Office. See the map for further detail.

Shooting Range

The range is located on the C. F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area in Fauquier County near Sumerduck. To get to the range take Route 651 south from Route 29 at Remington or north from Route 17 near Goldvien to Rogers Ford Road, Route 632. Following the range signs, go approximately 1 mile on Rt 632 and take a right onto the gravel hunter access road. Follow the access road and bear right at the end into the range parking area.


White Oak Mt. WMA

White Oak Mountain Wildlife Management Area is located near the center of Pittsylvania County, approximately five miles southeast of Chatham. Access from Chatham is via Route 57 east to Route 649 south, or from U.S. Route 29 south of Chatham via Route 640 north.

Shooting Range

The sighting-in range facility is located centrally at White Oak Mountain Wildlife Management Area and may be accessed from State Route 706 by following the direction signs posted on the area.

[PatP]

I'm glad I live out in farm country. I have at least 800' of property behind the house and a rudimentary shooting lane set up. Since it's heavilly wooded, I only shoot pistols in the yard, and I have a significant dry creek bed's berm as a backstop. I might blow off 100-200 rounds at a time, and none of the neighbors complain. Many of them do the same on their properties.

As I said, gotta love country living...

[gfost1]

Howdy, Y'all

More info from the DGIF site

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/shootingranges.asp

The National Forests appear to be more friendly to the handgun enthusiast

Regards,

George
************************************
George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Shooting Ranges

Blacksburg Shooting Range

North of Blacksburg. Take U.S. Route 460 north to Route 621, turn right and follow the signs to the shooting range on the left. This range offers two facilities; an 18-position rifle/pistol range designed for firing at stationary targets and a single position shotgun (trap) range. New River Valley Ranger District, Blacksburg Office, 540-552-4641.

Wythe Shooting Range

Near the Stoney Fork Campground on Route 717. Take the Route 717 Exit off I-77 (near Big Walker Mountain Tunnel), turn west onto Route 717. Go approximately 500 yards and turn right onto the road that leads to the state maintenance building. Before reaching the building, turn left, then go about a half-mile to the range. The range includes six 25-yard lanes and four 100-yard lanes. Targets can be set at seven, 15 and 25 yards on the 25-yard lanes, seven, 15, 50 and 100 yards on the 100-yard lanes.

This shooting range will be open seven days a week from dawn to dusk with no fee. The Forest Service will supply the target frames. Shooters must bring their own target sheets and tape or staple gun to affix targets to the frames. A donation box is set up at the range to help defray the cost of the target frames, which must be replaced each month. New River Valley Ranger District, 276-228-5551.

Hite Hollow Shooting Rnage

Near Augusta Springs. This range is open from sunrise to sunset every day for firing rifles, pistols and shotguns at stationary targets. Moving targets such as clay pigeons and bottles are prohibited. From Staunton, take Route 254 west to Buffalo Gap, then Route 42 south about eight miles to Augusta Springs. Take Route 845 about a half-mile to Forest Development Road (FDR) 82, and follow this road about one mile to the range. (Deerfield Ranger District, 540-885-8028.)

West Side Shooting Range

Open year-round, it provides shooting lanes of various lengths, covered shooting benches and a parking area. The range is located on FDR 151, about one mile north of the junction of FDR 151 and Route 33. The turnoff is about one mile east of the Brandywine Lake Recreation Area, in West Virginia. (Dry River Ranger District, 540-828-2591.)

Low Moor Shooting Range

Located between Clifton Forge and Covington. Exit I-64 at Low Moor (Exit 21), go past entrance of the Alleghany Regional Hospital, go through railroad overpass, turn right onto Route 616 (Rich Patch Road) and follow approximately 1.6 miles. Turn left onto FDR 616 at the sign to the shooting range just past the Virginia Power Company sub-station on the left. Six rifle benches and 3 pistol benches are under roofed shelter. Features are: rifle range-stationary targets at 50 and 100 yards, and pistol range-stationary targets at 25 yards. Moving targets, such as clay pigeons are prohibited, as are glass bottles. Shooters must supply their own targets and are asked to keep the range clean of litter by taking away all target materials with them. The parking lot accommodates 5 vehicles. The range is open all year round and is not handicapped-accessible. (James River Ranger District, 540-962-2214.)

Pott's Slope Shooting Range

Pott's Slope Shooting Range: Located on the right of Route 311, approximately seven miles north of New Castle, Virginia, this range is handicapped-accessible with a covered shooting area.. The range features nine lanes for rifle/pistol use with stationary targets at 25, 50 and 100 yards. (New Castle Ranger District 540-864-5195.)

Bath County Shooting Range

With 10 covered benches for shooting at 50 and 100 yards, this range provides an excellent place to zero-in your firearms. The range is located off Route 609 in Bath County approximately five miles east of Warm Springs. From Warm Springs, take Route 39 east to Route 609, turn left and go approximately 1.25 miles to the range entrance on the right. (Warm Springs Ranger District, 540-839-2521.) Generally the ranges are open from sunrise to sunset every day for firing rifles, pistols and shotguns at stationary targets. Moving targets are prohibited. There is no fee collected for use of the range, but you may have to wait your turn.

Important Reminders

A couple of important facts to keep in mind as you plan your visit to the National Forest:

* Firearms may be discharged for target practice only at established shooting ranges.
* Firearms may be discharged in the general area for the purpose of hunting during the open season. Discharging a firearm in a developed recreation site is dangerous and prohibited.
* For more information, contact the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Headquarters at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019, 540-265-5100.

[gfost1]

Howdy, Y'all

No shooting allowed in Virginia's State Forests, unless your target is alive.

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stforest/index.htm

Regards,

George

**************************************

Hunting is only permitted on these state forests

Hunting is permitted with a valid State Forest Use Permit and valid hunting license in accordance with state hunting regulations.

* Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
* Browne State Forest
* Channels State Forest
* Conway-Robinson State Forest (lottery participation only)
* Cumberland State Forest
* Dragon Run State Forest
* Lesesne State Forest
* Matthews State Forest (archery only)
* Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest
* Sandy Point State Forest

Prohibited on all state forests

* All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
* Alcoholic beverages
* Metal detectors
* Target shooting

[Jakeiscrazy]

Well I've asked around and know one seems to do anywhere you can go just shoot. I always heard "When I was a boy I used to shoot over by .......... but now it's ........" I currently shoot at Dominion Shooting Range. It's a great range, rapid fire allowed, good range masters, nice staff. I'm only 15 and never experienced this more free America you speak of.
Where do all of you USPSA guys shoot? You can't get well practiced at an indoor range can you? Let me tell you when I buy my first house it's gonna be on a nice big piece of land. Anyways, thanks for the responses and such sorry it took sooo long. I forgot to check back in.

[Diomed]

You can't get well practiced at an indoor range can you?

Not if they're making you buy ammo from them like Dominion. Serious practice means having money for ammo or rolling your own.

[gunderwood]

Howdy, Y'all,

If you want to plink, you have to be on a designated shooting range? It's really sad things have come to this.

The best times I can remember while having a gun in hand were when we walked out to the RR tracks or down to the river bottom, set up some cans and knocked them down with .22s. I don't know if we were on private or public land. Point is, nobody made a fuss about it. As a kid I could walk into most any store and buy my own ammo. This was during the 1970's. I can only remember twice that I fired a gun on an honest-to-goodness shooting range prior to 1990.

Now you have to pay $$$ to shoot at paper targets, unless you own a sizable chunk of land or know someone who does. If one of my kids gets caught with a pocket full of .22s, she'll be thrown in jail and I'd probably be arrested, too.

The gun grabbers have wounded us in ways we may never recover from.

Regards,

George

IMHO, the destruction of shooting as a sport has been going on since the NFA in 1934. If you let them register/tax/ban something for arbitrary reasons, there is no end in sight. A $200 tax on a couple dollar firearm in 1934 was a joke. Registering and taxing machine guns was also a joke. The violence that NFA was suppose to curb hasn't and lest we forget, it was another government regulation, Prohibition, that was the leading cause of that violence. When the alcohol runners could operate legally and in plain sight, the violence dropped like a rock. Yes, it took some time, but when was the last time you heard of Budweiser and Coors shooting it out in the streets of Chicago? Silencers? Perhaps people wouldn't have been poaching for food if:

1. The government hadn't taken their valuable land and given them worthless land in return (how do you think we created all these "parks").
2. The government hadn't taken their gold, replaced it with paper and devalued the paper by manipulating the price of gold. Allowed the government to spend lots of devalued money, but inflation is a hidden tax on the people.
3. Stopped trying to play economic god. The evidence that the government prolonged the Great Depression is rather conclusive. However, those authoritarian economists, such as Bernanke, always say the opposite. Yes, things were worse, but it was because the government didn't do enough! BS! If one trillion doesn't work this time, how about ten? Still not enough, how about hundred? What is the definition of insanity...

The NFA was a "public servant" make work act. All the alcohol police needed something to do. The government can't possibly get smaller and lay them off. There is a depression going on! Just like income taxes, give them an inch and soon enough they will control everything.

Perhaps the NRA has learned this lesson from the assault rifle ban. There is no end to it. The anti-gunners will take any concession, claim victory and then start on the next weakest.

Edit: If you haven't figured it out yet, every aspect of government regulation these days is about control. Gun control, economic control, health care control, etc. Don't be fooled into thinking they want control to do good things for you. We are in another era like the 30s, exercising power for the sake of power. Ruling vice governing. I can count the number of politicians in the administration and both houses of Congress on one hand that I think should stay. Everyone needs to go, then we need to bring them up on charges of subversion and treason.

[wally626]

The bans on shooting on public lands appear to be mostly due to the hunting regs. These are truly the most restrictive of the VA gun laws. You can carry a gun anywhere in VA except, schools, courthouses and airport terminals without having to have any permits, but cannot shoot, or even carry, a gun in the woods unless it is hunting season and you have a license to hunt.

There are a lot of things the Legslature can do to make life easier on gun owners and shooters, but I would not expect any change in this law unless the current Senate leadership can be canned.

[gunderwood]

The bans on shooting on public lands appear to be mostly due to the hunting regs.

You mean how the silencer NFA provisions are there because someone could poach (illegally hunt) with one? Any excuse that works is the right one for the anti-gunners. We need to ban machine guns to give the deer a chance or something like that...