Recreational Target Shooting

Target Shooting Closure sign in Snoqualmie Ranger District along Interstate 90. Photo by Kelly Sprute, US Forest Service

Recreational shooting has been a longtime use of National Forests. Much of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forests is open to recreational target shooting. It is an appropriate use of the forest, when done safely and with respect to the land and property.

You can target shoot on national forest lands unless a specific area has been closed to the activity because it jeopardizes public safety. Information about closures is available at each district office. There are no designated recreation target shooting areas on the forest. 

 

Enjoy your visit. Remember to bring a good map with you. The landownership pattern is very intermixed; it is important to make sure that you are not shooting on private or State lands. Remember to follow recreational shooter etiquette principles.

 

Recreational Shooting on Your Forest

Recreation Shooting Video with Officer Jeff McIntosh

Learn about recreational shooting regulations, safe practices, and shooting etiquette on National Forests.

 

Follow the Forest Service recreation target shooting regulations and restrictions for discharging a firearm:

  1. You are at least 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area.
  2. You are not shooting across or on roads or bodies of water, or where people or property are exposed to injury or damage, or into a cave.
  3. You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
  4. You are not firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.
  5. You are not causing resource damage; don’t shoot trees, rocks, stumps, garbage, or non-game animals.

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both (16 U.S.C. 551, 18 U.S.C. 3559 and 3571).

 

 

 

Forest Closure 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.

Regional Forest Closure Order - Tannerite/Binary Explosive Targets
Using an explosive; an explosive is defined as any chemical compound, mixture, or device, the primary or common purpose of which is to function by explosion. 36 CFR § 261.52(b).