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Legal places to shoot in the woods in WA
- Thread starter Inspector3711
- Start date
kilimanjaro
New member
Not much BLM land in King County. Go to the North Bend or Enumclaw offices of the Forest Service, and get a Forest Map. Also talk to the folks there about what National Forest land is not closed by order to recreational shooting, you can reach most of the local federal public land from Lake Wilderness in an hour.
Police up your brass, don't leave any trash, and don't shoot bottles. Don't shoot the trees, and have a good backstop. Don't shoot from a road or over or at water, that's illegal.
Find a good place, keep it clean, and enjoy it.
Police up your brass, don't leave any trash, and don't shoot bottles. Don't shoot the trees, and have a good backstop. Don't shoot from a road or over or at water, that's illegal.
Find a good place, keep it clean, and enjoy it.
How to get there...
So, I'm new to this thread but I know the area pretty well.
To get there you can go 1 of 2 ways. From Seattle (I-90) head east to the HWY18 exit (I think it's 32). Proceed west on HWY 18. Within 1-3 miles of starting out on 18 you will see open range area on the right hand side of the road, possibly even some trucks parked there. That's your spot. If it's hunting season be sure to wear your colors. If you start the climb up to Tiger Summit you have gone too far.
From the South End take HWY18 East and once you have made the descent from Tiger Summit the road will bend to the left and flatten out. The open range area will be on your left. If you get to the I90 interchange you have gone too far.
Also if anyone knows of areas in Pierce county out towards Mt. Rainier please share.
So, I'm new to this thread but I know the area pretty well.
To get there you can go 1 of 2 ways. From Seattle (I-90) head east to the HWY18 exit (I think it's 32). Proceed west on HWY 18. Within 1-3 miles of starting out on 18 you will see open range area on the right hand side of the road, possibly even some trucks parked there. That's your spot. If it's hunting season be sure to wear your colors. If you start the climb up to Tiger Summit you have gone too far.
From the South End take HWY18 East and once you have made the descent from Tiger Summit the road will bend to the left and flatten out. The open range area will be on your left. If you get to the I90 interchange you have gone too far.
Also if anyone knows of areas in Pierce county out towards Mt. Rainier please share.
I looked one over at the book store last week and there just isn't tons of BLM land in Washington state for some reason.
There is so little BLM land in WA that it almost isn't worth the trouble to ferret it out. I am lucky in that one of the BLM parcels is less than 30 minutes from my house.
National Forest land, OTOH, is thick as flies on dung in this state. I do some shooting there also.
As far as King County no shooting areas thare is a big list. But this may help on private property.
12.68.030 Unincorporated King county where not designated as a "no shooting" area. In all areas of King County not designated by ordinance as "no shooting" areas, except when a person is on his own property or has written permission from the owner, and the discharge of such weapons and the trajectory of any projectile is restricted to said property, it is unlawful to discharge a firearm within five hundred feet of any building capable of being occupied by people or domestic animals or used for storage of flammable or combustible materials or trails used for hiking, biking, or horseback riding, and designated as such in the county comprehensive plan; provided, that the above referenced distance shall not be less than two hundred fifty feet when the firearm being discharged is a shotgun. (Ord. 4691 § 1, 1980).
http://www.mrsc.org/wa/kingcounty/index_dtSearch.html
Title 12 has the no shooting areas and other info you may need.
bob
BLM controls 15 million acres between OR and WA. Don't personally know the breakdown for what it controls in WA. Primarily, as long as the BLM land is not a campground area (or near one), an active trail, or is a wilderness study area, you can shoot on BLM land. You do have to follow state laws in regard to shooting on their land.
Best answer is to go to their website, find the BLM field office in your area, and give them a call.
http://www.blm.gov/or/st/en.html
In Utah, we shoot all the time on BLM land, then again, where I live is basically surrounded by BLM with two large National Parks (needless to say, no shooting there), and the Manti LaSal National Forest.
Just remember to clean up after you leave, and that includes targets and brass.
Best answer is to go to their website, find the BLM field office in your area, and give them a call.
http://www.blm.gov/or/st/en.html
In Utah, we shoot all the time on BLM land, then again, where I live is basically surrounded by BLM with two large National Parks (needless to say, no shooting there), and the Manti LaSal National Forest.
Just remember to clean up after you leave, and that includes targets and brass.
Just remember to clean up after you leave, and that includes targets and brass.
Amen to that. I'm sick of trashy slobs leaving crap all over the place. No class having bastages. They ruin it for everyone.
Not very much BLM land in WA.. I suggest calling a ranger station near the area you are thinking about. They are *usually* good about recommending a place.
Correction
Just to clarify some talk from previous posts.
I sought out the land east of tiger mountain today and there are several "NO SHOOTING" signs posted at every gate in the area.
However, if you go up past North Bend (head east on I-90) you can take exit 42 for Tinkham Road. That whole area is US Forest land and you can shoot there.
Just remember, CLEAN UP YOUR MESS...
Just to clarify some talk from previous posts.
I sought out the land east of tiger mountain today and there are several "NO SHOOTING" signs posted at every gate in the area.
However, if you go up past North Bend (head east on I-90) you can take exit 42 for Tinkham Road. That whole area is US Forest land and you can shoot there.
Just remember, CLEAN UP YOUR MESS...
If you want to go to an organized range, I heartily recommend Cascade Rifle and Pistol. Do a search for them. The annual fees can be hefty--but for a facility that has five ranges on it (one an archery range), to include a 25 (I think) position pistol range, action bays, two, 200 yard rifle ranges and a 600 yard High Power range, it's well worth it. The range is self policing--be a safe and responsible shooter, and you are welcome. You can shoot from 9:00 AM until dusk, any day of the week that the range is not reserved. Check it out! I used to live in Enumclaw; now, for me it is an 88 mile drive one-way to Cascade--but I sincerely believe it's one of the best ranges in the State.
However, if you go up past North Bend (head east on I-90) you can take exit 42 for Tinkham Road. That whole area is US Forest land and you can shoot there.
Went there earlier today, great spot. You have to go 30+ mins back into the hills to hit the "shooting permitted" areas, but its well worth it.
Exit 36 is the same, North Fork I believe. Hit the gravel and head back 40+ mins, you'l hit some great shooting spots. Weekends are tough though since hikers are out in full force
The Issaquah range is cheap, open everyday, cool management and varied targets. Nice place if you can spare the $10 range feel
Distance form residance
I thought 500 yards sounded too far.
This is from WAC 332-52-145, Firearms and target shooting:
(c) Persons shall not shoot on, at, across, along, down, from, or within five hundred feet, of:
(i) Recreational facilities that are not specifically designed for target shooting;
(ii) Residences;
(iii) Businesses;
(iv) Structures;
(v) Other areas as restricted;
(vi) Areas designated or posted as no shooting.
dean
I thought 500 yards sounded too far.
This is from WAC 332-52-145, Firearms and target shooting:
(c) Persons shall not shoot on, at, across, along, down, from, or within five hundred feet, of:
(i) Recreational facilities that are not specifically designed for target shooting;
(ii) Residences;
(iii) Businesses;
(iv) Structures;
(v) Other areas as restricted;
(vi) Areas designated or posted as no shooting.
dean
Since this thread hasn't been touched in awhile, I figured I'd update it. I just followed directions on this thread, going I-90 East to exit 42 for Tinkham Rd. Mind you, there's about 6" of snow on the ground at this time.
On an earlier thread, the contributor said to pass a few No Shooting signs (there are about 4 until you get to the area in which you can actually shoot). The contributor also said to travel on the gravel road for about 30 mins and you will come upon Shooting Allowed areas (the Shooting Ok signs are now thoroughly shot through, but still visible). However, it would be MUCH easier to take exit 46, make a right from the exit. Make another right where the road comes to a T. From there, travel about...100 ft. or so.
On an earlier thread, the contributor said to pass a few No Shooting signs (there are about 4 until you get to the area in which you can actually shoot). The contributor also said to travel on the gravel road for about 30 mins and you will come upon Shooting Allowed areas (the Shooting Ok signs are now thoroughly shot through, but still visible). However, it would be MUCH easier to take exit 46, make a right from the exit. Make another right where the road comes to a T. From there, travel about...100 ft. or so.
I think you will find that is 500 FEET, NOT 500 yards, from an occupied dwelling that is not your own. That is a F&W rule (WAC).
We shoot out of the carport that is next to our garage all the time, and the neighbor has a room in his house that has a window where his shooting bench is. End of barrel outside, shooting position nice, warm and comforable inside.
As long as you are shooting safely, the sheriff can only use a noise ordinance, if they can use anything, if the complaining neighbors house is beyond 500 FEET. Check your King Co. Noise ordinances.
We shoot out of the carport that is next to our garage all the time, and the neighbor has a room in his house that has a window where his shooting bench is. End of barrel outside, shooting position nice, warm and comforable inside.
As long as you are shooting safely, the sheriff can only use a noise ordinance, if they can use anything, if the complaining neighbors house is beyond 500 FEET. Check your King Co. Noise ordinances.
pappascott
Inactive
Place to shoot in northeast Piece County Washington
nickybh, if you are still looking for somewhere to shoot in the foothills of Pierce Co. send me a e-mail at www.pappascott65@gmail.com I live in Buckley and may be able to help with some info for where I target shoot in the woods above Wilkeson.
nickybh, if you are still looking for somewhere to shoot in the foothills of Pierce Co. send me a e-mail at www.pappascott65@gmail.com I live in Buckley and may be able to help with some info for where I target shoot in the woods above Wilkeson.
Doverstation
Inactive
As of May 10th, 2011 the 2009 temporary "Shooting Allowed" closure along the I-90 corridor from exit 38 to the top of Snoqualmie Pass has been made permanent.
> Forest Order Number: 06-05-05-11-01
Restricting use of firearms - South & Middle Forks, Snoqualmie River Drainage to WIT: This restriction is necessary to protect national forest property and ensure the safety of national forest visitors.<
The following is an excerpt from the KOMO news article that is linked below:
> In the South Fork a narrow swath of valley bottom following the I-90 from exit 38 to the top of Snoqualmie Pass is closed. In the Middle Fork Snoqualmie a narrow swath of valley bottom starting where the Middle Fork road crosses the forest boundary at mile post 6.5 is closed to the road’s end at the Dingford Creek Trailhead. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie closure also includes lands adjacent to forest road 5640 from its junction with the Middle Fork Road to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead.<
This link takes you to the KOMO article on the closure.
http://www.komonews.com/younews/121731654.html
This link take you to the Forest Service closure order which includes a map.
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbs/forest-orders
No questions please. I do NOT work for the govt. I am NOT a legal expert. I don't even have an opinion on this. I'm just passing along the verifiable facts in an attempt to save y'all some drive time and possibly a bunch of money in fines.
> Forest Order Number: 06-05-05-11-01
Restricting use of firearms - South & Middle Forks, Snoqualmie River Drainage to WIT: This restriction is necessary to protect national forest property and ensure the safety of national forest visitors.<
The following is an excerpt from the KOMO news article that is linked below:
> In the South Fork a narrow swath of valley bottom following the I-90 from exit 38 to the top of Snoqualmie Pass is closed. In the Middle Fork Snoqualmie a narrow swath of valley bottom starting where the Middle Fork road crosses the forest boundary at mile post 6.5 is closed to the road’s end at the Dingford Creek Trailhead. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie closure also includes lands adjacent to forest road 5640 from its junction with the Middle Fork Road to the Snoqualmie Lake Trailhead.<
This link takes you to the KOMO article on the closure.
http://www.komonews.com/younews/121731654.html
This link take you to the Forest Service closure order which includes a map.
www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mbs/forest-orders
No questions please. I do NOT work for the govt. I am NOT a legal expert. I don't even have an opinion on this. I'm just passing along the verifiable facts in an attempt to save y'all some drive time and possibly a bunch of money in fines.
Last edited:
kilimanjaro
New member
You can legally shoot on most National Forest land, unless it's closed to shooting by order, like the I-90 corridor and the Middle Fork, or it's in a campground, on a road, over water, or in a dangerous manner. Can't shoot up the trees, either, and pick up your brass. Don't shoot junk or bottles. Go to your ranger station in North Bend or Enumclaw and get a Forest Map, that will show you which land is National Forest. There is a shooting area up the Greenwater drainage. Another area near there has been closed, folks were driving up a road and shooting over a group of homes across the highway. Talk to the folks at the desk and you'll know where you can go and where you can't. Slob, inconsiderate, and careless shooters are the reasons for the closure areas, no conspiracies involved.
With the resurrection of this thread I thought I would throw this in so that people in states that do have a lot of BLM land see what we are up against when trying to find public land in WA.
This data is from 2007.
WA
BLM controls ~ 400,000 acres
NFS controls ~ 9.5 million acres
By contrast here is Oregon
BLM controls ~ 15.7 million acres
NFS controls ~ 15.7 million acres
http://www.wildlandfire.com/docs/2007/western-states-data-public-land.htm
So for every small parcel of land that gets put on a no-shoot list here in WA it works out to be a much higher percentage of land than in OR, or other western states that have public lands. We recently lost a large chunk of BLM land here on the east side to recreational and target shooting. You can still hunt but no fun shooting.
Also this type of behavior will close down a lot of the state DNR lands also, trash, shooting into trees and shooting unsafely has already closed a few DNR parcels on the east side. I know they are looking at other parcels to close presently.
bob
BLM controls 15 million acres between OR and WA.
This data is from 2007.
WA
BLM controls ~ 400,000 acres
NFS controls ~ 9.5 million acres
By contrast here is Oregon
BLM controls ~ 15.7 million acres
NFS controls ~ 15.7 million acres
http://www.wildlandfire.com/docs/2007/western-states-data-public-land.htm
So for every small parcel of land that gets put on a no-shoot list here in WA it works out to be a much higher percentage of land than in OR, or other western states that have public lands. We recently lost a large chunk of BLM land here on the east side to recreational and target shooting. You can still hunt but no fun shooting.
Slob, inconsiderate, and careless shooters are the reasons for the closure areas, no conspiracies involved.
Also this type of behavior will close down a lot of the state DNR lands also, trash, shooting into trees and shooting unsafely has already closed a few DNR parcels on the east side. I know they are looking at other parcels to close presently.
bob
gunguy1911A1GI
Inactive
tHE ANSWER IS.......
read the follow legislation:
WAC 332-52-145
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=332-52-145
WAC 332-52-100
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=332-52-100
&
RCW 9.41
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41
these two peices of legislature are extremely important for all gun owners to know inside and out as some law enforcement officials and other parties my not understand the fullness of these laws and may misslead you for the purposes of suppressing your rights in a way that would be more fitting to their own views on guns and their use.....
In short the hippies will lie to you because they hate guns
you can shoot on any property that you own so long as:
it is greater than 500 ft from any structures or property not intended for shootting
there are no local laws further restricting firearms use(i.e KING COUNTY)
the targets and backstop are adequate
you are not shooting along or across a roadway, trail or other lane of passage
and you are doing so safely
READ THE LAW AND KNOW THEM!!!!!!! they are very detailed... and it may surprise you how much of it is there to protect the shooter/gun owner.
also the quote posted previously about the Fish and Wildlife land states that they may restrict firearms usage for recreation not protection or hunting and it states that they must post it..... this is not a bad thing as they usually don't post it everywhere they would rather send some official to tell you... you don't have to take his word for it...... if it is not posted he must present official documentation that the area you are in is designated as a NO SHOOTING AREA or advise you that your shooting practices are unsafe and why.....
however Tresspassing laws still apply!!!!!
also as a side note if any one has property and/or and old building you just don't know what to do with please read the following if you like shooting as much as i do:
RCW 79A.25.210
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=79A.25.210
basiclly it says that there is "FREE MONEY" to build/mantain shooting facillity for non-profit training and practice.
you could build your own non-profit range and all you have to buy is the expendable products (i.e. ear plugs, target, ammo, etc.)
"A GUN IN THE WRONG HAND TAKES MANY LIVES, A GUN IN THE RIGHT HANDS TAKES FEW BUT SAVES MANY" - THIS GUY
read the follow legislation:
WAC 332-52-145
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=332-52-145
WAC 332-52-100
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=332-52-100
&
RCW 9.41
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41
these two peices of legislature are extremely important for all gun owners to know inside and out as some law enforcement officials and other parties my not understand the fullness of these laws and may misslead you for the purposes of suppressing your rights in a way that would be more fitting to their own views on guns and their use.....
In short the hippies will lie to you because they hate guns
you can shoot on any property that you own so long as:
it is greater than 500 ft from any structures or property not intended for shootting
there are no local laws further restricting firearms use(i.e KING COUNTY)
the targets and backstop are adequate
you are not shooting along or across a roadway, trail or other lane of passage
and you are doing so safely
READ THE LAW AND KNOW THEM!!!!!!! they are very detailed... and it may surprise you how much of it is there to protect the shooter/gun owner.
also the quote posted previously about the Fish and Wildlife land states that they may restrict firearms usage for recreation not protection or hunting and it states that they must post it..... this is not a bad thing as they usually don't post it everywhere they would rather send some official to tell you... you don't have to take his word for it...... if it is not posted he must present official documentation that the area you are in is designated as a NO SHOOTING AREA or advise you that your shooting practices are unsafe and why.....
however Tresspassing laws still apply!!!!!
also as a side note if any one has property and/or and old building you just don't know what to do with please read the following if you like shooting as much as i do:
RCW 79A.25.210
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=79A.25.210
basiclly it says that there is "FREE MONEY" to build/mantain shooting facillity for non-profit training and practice.
you could build your own non-profit range and all you have to buy is the expendable products (i.e. ear plugs, target, ammo, etc.)
"A GUN IN THE WRONG HAND TAKES MANY LIVES, A GUN IN THE RIGHT HANDS TAKES FEW BUT SAVES MANY" - THIS GUY