Forest Service Laws!

[DanaT]

As I have expected. I have seen withing 300ft of a road, withing 150yds of a rd, etc. on the various NF websites. This Ranger was wrong. To cite you, he must actually cite you for breaking the law. The law states:

TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

PART 261--PROHIBITIONS--Table of Contents

Subpart A--General Prohibitions

Sec. 261.10 Occupancy and use.

The following are prohibited:
(a) Constructing, placing, or maintaining any kind of road, trail,
structure, fence, enclosure, communication equipment, or other
improvement on National Forest system land or facilities without a
special-use authorization, contract, or approved operating plan.
(b) Taking possession of, occupying, or otherwise using National
Forest System lands for residential purposes without a special-use
authorization, or as otherwise authorized by Federal law or regulation.
(c) Selling or offering for sale any merchandise or conducting any
kind of work activity or service unless authorized by Federal law,
regulation, or special-use authorization.
(d) Discharging a firearm or any other implement capable of taking
human life, causing injury, or damaging property as follows:
(1) In or within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite,
developed recreation site or occupied area, or
(2) Across or on a Forest Development road or a body of water
adjacent thereto, or in any manner or place whereby any person or
property is exposed to injury or damage as a result in such discharge.
(3) Into or within any cave.


This mean that you cannot shoot FROM or ACROSS a road. It doesn't say anything about firing from within 150yds of a road.

-Dana

[Meateater]

What I wrote was ver batim from a senior Ranger, so he can cite you and you can fight it in court. I'd rather just avoid the whole hassle all together, and shoot a little closer to the backstop. The "occupied area" DOES translate to the road...If there is a cyclist using the road AT ANY TIME while you are shooting, that area is occupied. This came directly from the Ranger's mouth. Same goes for the pigeons...its probably ok, and the Ranger I dealt with did not seem to mind much, but he did mention it as a technical violation and get a young headstrong Ranger who just broke up with his girlfriend and you are littering. Then its up to you to prove otherwise...each individual has to decide for himself if it is worth it.

[The1andOnlyKC]

The spot that we shoot from up north is about that far off the road isnt it? OR have you guys moved the line back?

[7idl]

here is a line from the road to 150 yards in at the north range.




[postal]

[Obiwan]

I hauled a big bag of crap out on Sunday

Lots of shotgun shells.....which ticks me off

I can easily see missing the odd 9 mm case or two....but come on.....

Hauled out plenty of bottles and cans

Shooting at glass should be a hanging offense

I am afraid to kneel without pads

[KarlPMann]

As stated earlier, there are more than just one set of rules that must be adhered to. There are the FS rules that dictate 150 yards from structures, dwellings, campgrounds, campsites, hiking trails, etc. Then there's also Federal Laws enforced by other agencies such as the puddle pirates say you can't shoot over a body of water. :roll: Can't shoot within ??? range of an air corridor :cool: . Can't shoot at any tree and so on. Then there are local ordinances that prohibit shooting in certain areas too. Also local Forest Rangers can restrict areas. For example, on Rampart Range Road you can't shoot between Colorado Springs and Rampart Reservoir except at the ONE approved shooting area.

There is no ONE set of rules, we need to keep as updated and knowledgeable of the rules in the particular area we shoot at. That's a big reason I like my favorite little spot, I know the local rules.

Karl.

[DanaT]

What I wrote was ver batim from a senior Ranger, so he can cite you and you can fight it in court. I'd rather just avoid the whole hassle all together, and shoot a little closer to the backstop. The "occupied area" DOES translate to the road...If there is a cyclist using the road AT ANY TIME while you are shooting, that area is occupied. This came directly from the Ranger's mouth. Same goes for the pigeons...its probably ok, and the Ranger I dealt with did not seem to mind much, but he did mention it as a technical violation and get a young headstrong Ranger who just broke up with his girlfriend and you are littering. Then its up to you to prove otherwise...each individual has to decide for himself if it is worth it.

I agree in principle with what you are sayinng here. A ranger is LEO and you will never win arguing with them on the spot. If they want to be pricks, and you're right, you argue it court (and file a civil suit against the LEO).

That said, just because an LEO says something is the "law" doesn't really make it so. LEOs will often bullsh&t people to get an answer they want or get someone to admit something.

I don;t think "occupied" means the same as "person present". If that were the case, then you could only shoot solo in NF. Case in point, if I go shooting with a buddy, then he is "occupying" the ground next to me. Therefore I can't shoot within 150 yards of him?

Basically, LEOs think they are gods, and really, you can probably be put in jail for breathing if some a$$hat LEO wants to because you are using a government owned resource without the proper permit.

-Dana