How we lose our places to shoot (pics)

[LariatBob]

Maybe as Shooters on Public land we can take some advice from the 4X4 guys. I belong to Rocky Mountain Ford Truck Club, Who has adopted Saxon Mountain. We do Clean up on the Trail and repairs at least twice a year. but more to the point we should take a program that should apply to every one and its free.. Jake

I think the adoption thing is a great Idea. I will adopt the north area myself. We could post a sign at the entrance- " This shooting range adopted by and cared for by Colorado AR Shooters Club"

Seriously, with so many of us packing up alot more than we take, think how many pigs are ruining these (becoming) rare areas for us to shoot. I don't want to have my guns strictly for decorations.

[palepainter]

I shot out at Pawnee this weekend. It was a trek. Nice range and friendly staff. But there has to be somewhere closer. I would be willing to help clean up some weekend at a closer place if there is any group effort. Hell, I do not even know where to go. Is the place up above Lyons on the 7 still open for shooting?

[sbgixxer]

Why not have a meet day (preferably not the weekend when it's packed) when a group of us go up and clean the hell outta the place...or places? If someone had a big truck or trailer, I'm sure we could fill the thing full...and then some. I'm off all week and would be happy to meet a few people and do some cleaning and shooting. Any takers?

Shawn

[gnihcraes]

depends on which weekend? 27/28 of this month is out for me... the next is the 4th/5... but could be possible... the 11/12 is gunshow that I probably want to attend early saturday... but could do sunday 12th probably. I'm willing to bring truck and trailer, just pretty busy for a while... too many projects !

kc.

[totallyunimodular]

I was just thinking of trying to get something organized for the North Range site below Allenspark. After some long conversations with the Boulder Ranger District folks it looks like there is some pretty intense pressure from local land owners to shut that site down, and the extent to which things are open is because the NFS wants to keep it open. So, while its great to get some guys together to clean up trash, I think we can make a much bigger impact by

1) Working with the local NFS rangers to organize a clean up
2) Trying to talk to local landowners before the clean up

I don't think either point would need to be too involved,and basically comes down to making our efforts visible to the people that matter (besides other shooters I mean) and letting people vent, hearing what their concerns are. I have been faced with land use issues before (mountain bikers vs horseback riders, dirt bikes vs everybody) and its amazing what simple face to face conversation does. If angry landowners can associate some friendly faces with the booms and know that a sizeable portion of use are really trying to self-police (in terms of actual trash and the figurative trash that shoots at trash), they'll put a lot less pressure on the NFS I think. Anyway, let's keep this thread going and try and get some critical mass this summer to clean up some sites!

[sbgixxer]

I'm willing to help with whatever I can. I'm willing to do the manual labor of clean-up or the P.R. stuff or being involved in talking with the forest service. I agree that being an organization that people see as helpful (ie, keeping the site clean, being respectful and kind to people in the area and more than anything, being safe and "treading lightly") rather than what is seen all too often (trash, drinking/shooting, unsafe practices) is the most important. I would like to be a part of anything that can make this sport better for us and those around us.

Shawn