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Shooting Ranges rules and prohibitions
Target shooting on the George Washinton and Jefferson National Forests is allowed only at established shooting ranges. Several rules apply to all shooting ranges. See the below forest order for details.
Alert Start Date: August 30th, 2023
Alert End Date: August 30th, 2028
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 08-08-00-23-11
Associated Documents
Forest Order
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
Roanoke, Virginia
ORDER NO. 08-08-00-23-11
OCCUPANCY AND USE
Shooting Ranges
Pursuant to Title 16 U.S.C. § 551 and Title 36 C.F.R. § 261.50, the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System land within the entire George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. This Forest Order is effective from the date signed by the Forest Supervisor until August 30, 2028, or until terminated by an authorized Forest Service official, whichever occurs first.
Locations:
- Blacksburg Shooting Range
- Potts Slope Shooting Range
- Bath County Shooting Range
- Low Moor Shooting Range
- Wythe Shooting Range
- Hite Hollow Shooting Range
- West Side Shooting Range
Prohibitions. The following acts are prohibited:
- Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun unless it occurs in the lawful taking of wildlife or at a designated shooting range. 36 CFR 261.58 (m).
- Use of all targets including clay, skeet, paintball, or exploding targets except for targets that are made of paper or a retail product specifically designed for target practice, except for clay skeet at the trap area of the Blacksburg Shooting Range 36 CFR 261.10(e).
- Firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition 36 CFR 261.5(b).
- Using an explosive CFR 261.52(b).
- Failure to adhere to posted range safety rules 36 CFR 261.53(e).
- Firing while persons are down range 36 CFR 261.53(e).
- Entering the area behind the backstop, which has been designated as a safety zone by the placement of “Entry Prohibited” signs 36 CFR 261.53(e).
- Entering or using the area for any purpose other than target shooting 36 CFR 261.58(b).
- Possessing or using alcoholic beverages while using or occupying the area 36 CFR 261.58(bb).
- Entering, using, or remaining in the area between sunset and sunrise 36 CFR 261.58(l).
- Failing to dispose of all garbage, including any paper, can, bottle, sewage, wastewater or material, or rubbish either by removal from the site or area, or by depositing it into receptacles or at places provided for such purposes 36 CFR 261.11(d).
- Abandoning any personal property 36 CFR 261.10(e).
Exemptions: Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
- Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of their official duty.
Executed in Roanoke, Virginia this _30th day of August 2023.
Signed Joby P. Timm, Forest Supervisor, GEORGE WASHINGTON AND JEFFERSON NATIONAL FORESTS
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 6 months, or both. 16 USC § 551 and 18 USC §§ 3559, 3571 and 3581.