Picking brass at range, not allowed!

N

ninosdemente

New member
I went to the range yesterday and when I pulled up to an open spot there was a DNR guy picking up some brass and dumping it into a mall coffee container. I know this as I usually go on a Sunday and there is another DNR guy that also picks up for reloading and dumps it into the same container.

Well when I pulled up, I just said to my self, crap he beat me to them, lol. After getting situated and after a box and two, I put my brass away in their boxes. Now after a bit I saw a group putting their stuff away and were done. So as usual I patiently waited before I walked up to that area before picking up. But they were not leaving but were done as the table was already empty. So I walked up to the group and kindly asked is they reload and said no. Then I asked if I could pick up if they didn't want it or need it. They said help yourself, thank them and started picking up.

After a few minutes, the DNR guy was doing their driving around and he noticed me picking up and then proceeded to tell me that people can't be allowed to pick up any more as they are going to use the brass to "sell" and use the money to maintain the place. Just not sure if they were referring to that place specifically or used for other places to maintain or trying to get funds.

He tried to take away the bag I had of collected brass and I told him that he wasn't having it as it had my own brass too. All he said was, ok I'll let you have it for this time.

There were no signs of this so called new rule and the registration table or at the range.

But he sure didn't have any problem picking up specific brass for himself as remember he said they were going to use all that brass to sell for maintenance. I guess he was just like some other authorities that believe that certain rules don't apply to them. I didn't want to say anything because I was with my father and son. Didn't want to ruin their day or mine. So from yesterday, DNR 1 - Me 0, lol.

Anything like this where you go as well? Perhaps, these guys just made the rule so other people don't "steal" the brass but they sure can "steal" the brass that they can use to sell for maintenance money. I say this as there was still a lot of brass from hand gun to rifle brass that were not picked up. As mentioned he picked up from where I was pulling up and left a lot of "unwanted" brass laying around. I just believe there is enough for everyone period. If you beat me to it or I beat you to it, just deal with it. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it as I do use the place and it's free. I would have a problem if it were at another range I go to and they didn't allow as they charge at the door. I'm sure there are other people that have been doing this for a very long time who are not going to be much agreeable as I am though. I guess opinions can/will go either side.
 
Many commercial ranges do not allow picking up brass, (even your own) if it hits the floor, it's theirs. Trap clubs are even worse about this than rifle/pistol ranges.

Find another range to use.
 
It's probably what the DNR officer said. They figured out they can sell it for scrap or they have a local processor willing to sell it as "once-fired", regardless of whether it is multiply-fired or not, and give them a cut.

I would look at the state rules online and maybe call the DNR. If it's true, it's just one more thing that makes the state facilities less attractive to use. There are also a number of commercial facilities that don't allow policing of brass out in front of the firing line, as they use motorized target runners and don't want to have to call ceasefires for people to police brass. They often run a reloading operation of their own that they make money off of.
 
Is the range a club where members pay dues? Or is it a public range where shooters pay a fee? Either way, the excuse "selling brass for range maintenance" is questionable. If selling brass is needed for range upkeep, what are the dues/fees used for? I went to a range that would not "allow" brass to be picked up once it hit the floor, only once, and I left with all my empties (45 ACP). Sorta like taking your car to the races, but leaving all your gas/fuel cans behind...

I may not be fully awake this morning, but what is DNR?
 
If the brass belongs to me, I'm picking it up. They can have someone else' brass.
.22's shotgun shells, fine. I sweep them up in a pile, it's theirs.
 
You won't be picking it up if they kick you off or ban you from the range for trying to do it. A brass catcher or guns that don't eject empties automatically are your best bets.
 
That's true. But, It should be posted right up front. That way shooters will know. OP's wasn't posted, either was the one I was at. I no longer go there. Usually go the desert when it isn't too hot.
 
I would follow up with the dnr. When the dnr makes a rule, they post it, i’ll bet. When the local range officer makes a rule, he has no authority to make a sign, so it is word of mouth.

I’ve seen local range officers make plenty of “rules”. The state does not generally fund ranges through brass pick up due to the extremely low return on investment, especially if he is picking up by hand. I’m guessing his boss said he could pick it up, if the people left it. Then you as a fellow opportunistic brass scrounger, like me, picked it up.

Our local dnr range had a super unofficial no brass scrounging rule, but you can pick up your own and really as much as you want when shooting. The ro told me he made the rule to keep down the folks coming to scrounge and sell because they would come without paying the fee and practically catch it out of the air with completely disregard for if the shooter wanted it or not....they had some arguments and then came the rule.....you really do have to stop things at arguing or before when parties involved have loaded guns.
 
If I shoot at a range and MY cases hit the ground I will pick them up and take them back home to reload. They are MY property. I own them. Just hitting the ground does not relieve me of MY ownership rights.

My shotgun hulls go in the trash.

I would find another range if you're not allowed to retrieve your own property.
 
If the brass belongs to me, I'm picking it up
Click to expand...

Agreed , You don't get to keep my things , period . What else can I drop that you get to claim is no longer mine if it hits the ground ? Cell phone , loaded ammo , glasses …. ? Not even sure how they think that's legal ? Just because something of mine lands on the floor of your business does not make it yours .

I do agree with the range calling it theres if the original owner left it there and another person is trying to take it . I work at a range that has a ( "if it's on the ground then it's the ranges brass " ) policy but that only applies if the owner left it . For a very short time we tried ( I say we because I volunteer there ) to say if the brass hit the ground it was the ranges property regardless if it was sitting at the feet of the guy who just fired it . There was instant and massive feed back from just about everyone saying that was not expectable , with guys demanding there membership fees be returned .

Are policy now is you not only can keep your brass , you can allow others to pick up your brass to keep . We found there to be very little difference from handing someone the brass off your bench to letting them pick it up off the ground from around your bench . I pick up my buddies brass to keep . How can the range think that's not OK

You won't be picking it up if they kick you off or ban you from the range for trying to do it.
Click to expand...

That would not be necessary because I would voluntarily leave never to return . Although that would suck if that was the only range that I was able to shoot at . I believe that's when letters start being written and getting others involved would be in order .
 
Last edited:
mikld, this is no club it is a state owned. The good thing about this one is, one doesn't pay to use it. The other I used to go to, is also state owned but you do have to pay. I think it's reasonable. Last time I went with a group of 4, it was close to $20 for the whole day. It wasn't much as children are less. Sure beats having to pay hourly at a indoor gun range.

Unfortunately, those are the only two closest to me that are within an hour drive. If not mistaking the next is 2.5hrs away. So I have no choice but to suck it up deal with it.
 
Unless I do as some other people and try and dig to see if this is true or not.

If the guy banned/kick me off the range, that probably would have been so due to that I would call him out on him actually going to different empty spots and picking up brass that doesn't belong to him either in front of other people. Probably would have felt the need to "use" his power. Lol.

Had no idea that others prohibit, but then again haven't been to one that didn't allow this and have never gone to paid indoor ranges either. I just stay away from indoor ranges period.
 
Our range operation also has a group they have pick up the brass. I assume its a benfit to the range for the privilege.

There is no issue with picking up your own brass. Picking up someone else has had some conflicts as some get carried away and don't ask.

I will ask if its the caliber and brass mfg I use. Sometimes people offer it up.
 
Local indoor pistol range, if the brass lands in front of the bench, your not allowed to pick up. Regardless of anyone there or not.
One local outdoor range guy shows up and collects brass to turn in for scrap for his own purpose.
Sign says not a member, no admittance.
He's not a member.
Real issue came when he started picking up my brass!
 
I feel fortunate... I shoot at an indoor range that doesn't really care. You tell them you want to try to recover your brass, they push it up to the wall and you can go fetch it when you are done. If your brass lands forward, as long as it doesn't interfere with anyone else shooting, you can use the rake and pull it back. I don't get stupid with it... all I really ever want to recover is my .45ACP brass, I could care less about the rest.

OP's story reminds me of where I used to shoot in Ohio, at one of the state ranges. One of the scroungers was just about catching my brass as it came out of the pistol, and picking up my .45 brass, too. I called him out on it, he said 'you are shooting 9mm!' so I unholstered my .45 and gave him a glance at the bore. He didn't pick up my brass anymore.

As far as the OP's story, I would make a call. Granted, DNR officers are almost their own Gods, but that sounds like it should be a policy issue. Maybe they are just trying to discourage the scroungers, but for the state to actually say they want to recover scrap brass and try to sell it? That's more trouble than it's worth and I question it's validity.
 
I can pick mine up if I can find it in the grass. I NEED to just put my big blue tarp in the car and lay it out to make that easier.
 
I would think if it's a legitimate DNR rule, there would be a way to verify. Most state DNRs have "chat lines" or "questions answered" contact methods on their websites. My state's chat line is manned with folks that know what they are talking about or they know where to get the answer. Never had to wait more than a few hours for an answer to any question I have asked. If it's a free range, properly maintained, I can't see snibbling over brass.....but I surely ain't gonna pay for a range and then give 'em my brass too. Fortunately, I have my own private range with my rules........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top