How we lose our places to shoot (pics)

[Coloradokevin]

The other discussion about our loss of shooting areas really got me thinking...


In Colorado we have lost many places to shoot in the past few years.

Dangerous behaviors and trash have shut down an estimated 40+ public ranges/locations in this state in the past 15 years alone. I have personally frequented no less than three places that are now closed to shooting, and know of at least a half-dozen more.

I visited a spot near Denver today that is starting to become more known. Not unlike the other places that have preceeded it, the growing popularity of this place will probably shut it down in the next couple of years (by my guess).



A photo documentary of today follows:


There is a reason we are all there in the first place... Range time:


The range:



Our setup:



My wife shooting:








But, the problems are quite evident to anyone who looks. Irresponsible shooters are destroying our National Forest lands:



Here is one of the many piles of trash at this small (and still relatively unknown) location:



Another look at the trash:



A toilet someone decided to "discard" on our public lands:



These are fun to shoot, but take it with you when you are done!:



More leftovers from previous forest users:




These types of actions are, among other things, a large part of the reason that we have lost so many places to shoot in Colorado (and other parts of the country).



But, there is a solution:


Find trash:





Pick up trash:



And, properly dispose of trash:





It seems brainlessly obvious, yet some folks in our state apparently just don't get it.

For example, there is a pile of shotgun shells visible in the center of the first photo. These were left by a group who was leaving when we showed up today. They also left their boxes, their brass, their targets, and probably some other stuff that I couldn't directly link to them. On the other hand, another group shot next to us for a while, and properly cleaned up their mess (and targets) before leaving.

We can clearly see that the problem exists, but as a community we have obviously done a poor job of policing ourselves. While the majority of us are responsible folks who clean up our trash, there remains an active element in the shooting "community" who choose to ruin things for all of us. Like a plague of locusts, these losers move from one area to the next (as ranges are closed by the Forest Service, or other managing entities), and the cycle continues.

All in all, my wife and I walked out with approximately 20lbs of trash (in addition to our own). Still, it seems like we barely even made a dent, even at this very small range.


So, my self proclaimed solution from this point forward, to anyone who asks:
1) Please pick up after yourself! (this goes without saying, or should)
2) Please pick up after at least one other person! (someone has to do it, and the FS shuts ranges when they get asked to handle this task).


Together we can make a difference, and hopefully save some of the dwindling number of public shooting venues that are available today!

Thanks for reading, and many thanks to my wife, Julie, for being an unwilling participant in my photo documentary

[Sixgun]

I do the same every time I'm there. Last friday I cleaned, that toliet was not there and the pile was larger. (filled my truck.)

[Driftwood]

Good job guys and great post/mini documentary! Even for those of us who do clean up after ourselves (and others) this is always an important reminder. Yeah, one would think that cleaning up is a no brainer but that just goes to show the general attitude of so many anymore. Slovenly, disrespectful, etc, etc...

[Sucka]

Nice post.

Great reminder for everyone.

[VA_GUNZ]

Where is this range?

[Brandon]

Did you make your wife clean up while you snap pictures of her cleaning up? Nicely done!


In all seriousness, I try to get anyone i go shooting with to pick up, at minimum, the stuff we brought.

[gnihcraes]

Depending on where it is, I can go do some shooting and help with cleanup. Few trips up from everyone and we might get it clean. Depending on distance, I might even bring the truck and trailer to take larger amounts of trash...

Kc.

[One Shot]

Yes I agree there is alot of trash there and people should pick up more after they shoot.
Its better to have one spot trashed than having multiple spots all over the forrest like people pulling off the side of a dirt road and dumping a toilet.. its a good thing its all in one spot for the trash to be picked up.

I always bring 2 or 3 of those large yard leaf garbage bags when i go.

[DOC]

I filled up my truck bed with trash when I left. It helped that I had a whole bunch of helpers shooting all my ammo that needed to give some back.
It kinda sucked that it got dark and we were one hand down using flashlights. (not the daytime flashlights)

[jackthewall81]

Where is this range? Cant wait to try out my new DD m4. I will bring trash bags to clean up as well.