Legal Shooting Locations

[morefun]

In the 80s and early 90s I remember going to Wild Horse Canyon and "plinking" paper targets with our 22 carbines.  I have numerous fond memories.  My father passed in 1998 and I hadn't gone shooting since.  I am considering restarting the hobby and was trying to recollect the precise location of what we called "Horseshoe Canyon" (aka Wild Horse Canyon).  I am wondering if it is still legal to safely use firearms in the canyon?  The aerial views on mapquest show more houses than I remember;  of course it was over 20 years ago.  I would like to rekindle the fond memories, but only if its still safe to do so.  Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.  Or are there other safe/legal places to shoot?  Many thanks.
-Dave

[Wildman]

Wild Horse Canyon shooting range has been closed by the Forest Service for many years.    It is not legal to shoot there any more.  The area got trashed pretty badly.  There is not safe or legal place to shoot near Wrightwood, Phelan or Pinon Hills (anymore unless you are hunting deer in certain areas).

There is a shooting range in Lytle Creek and one in Victorville that I know of.  Very few places would be safe in this area to shoot because of the homes that have filled in the "wide open spaces".  We used to keep our horses near the church and frankly, I don't miss the DTH types and their automatic weapons firing until late at night.  When they closed the range, they hauled 16 double trailer loads of trash to the dump that people had left to use as targets.

You could call the Phelan Sheriff's Sub-Station and get the real skinny on just where it is legal to shoot.

[treehugger]

Morefun - Try Burro Canyon in the hills above Azusa.

http://www.burrocanyon.com/

A bit of a commute (too bad hwy 2 & 39 are closed!), but the rates seem reasonable and according to the web site have the backing from several clubs and agencies. I would think all of the folks who used to frequent Fish Canyon in Duarte/Azusa have ended up here.

[GirlFarmer]

You could probably load two more trucks full of trash out of there.  Someone out of work might consider picking up the brass.  You could probably make a quick buck.

[K9luvr]

There is also the Kentucky Shooting area near the intersection of Mt. Emma Road and the Angeles Forest Highway.  The Kentucky Shooting area is also closed but there is a club that has (or at least used to) a special use permit to use an area just beyond the old shooting area.  You might call the district office and get the name of the club and see if they are still operating.  Sorry I can't remember the name of the club.... 

[Bobbie_Dooley39]

There's also West End Gun Club, near the start of Lytle Ck.

[Ricki]

I picked up a flyer when I was out in Randsburg a month ago.  It said that most of San Bernardino County is closed except for some shotgun shooting areas.  However, it said you can shoot on BLM land in Kern County.  The Kern County Line is out there near Randsburg.  It took about an an hour and fifteen minutes to get out there, but i'm sure it would take awhile to get into the foothills where it would be safe to shoot.  I think the hubby and I are going to check that out this spring.  I remember the good old days when we would go camping and shoot right from our camp.  There's no place near here that you can do that....except shotgun out toward Stoddard Wells.

It's too bad that the losers ruin it for responsible shooters who recycle their brass and pick up their trash and don't haul out their broken TV for target practice!

[K9luvr]

And don't forget the gang bangers that used to practice their drive by shootings in the Picoma shooting area over on the LA River Ranger district!  Set up body targets, drive by, guy leans out the back window-BLAM BLAM BLAM....   

[Toolman]

Is true, several years ago, target shooting ie, recreation shooting in L.A.C. and S.B.C. in remote areas are now off limits now for center fire and rim fire pistol and rifle cartridge dishcharge and is punishable by fine unless a valid hunting license is in position. Varmint hunting is open year round and does not require a license. Only controlled designated shooting ranges are availble to the public. However, shotgun discharge is permissible in a remote environment and conditions do apply. One mile from any residence and paved road are the restrictions as far as my rule book states.

 I do remember the day when you could go to a remote sight in the desert and target shoot. However those days are gone with developments ongoing. Trash, debris, etc. from Adam Henry's  didn't help the academic recreation of the sport at all. I too....miss  that capabilty, but unfortunately time and change marches on. 

[Elk]

I too miss the experience of going out in the boonies to go shooting. When I was a kid we used to go out in Rancho Cucamonga/Fontana area and shoot shot guns at clay pigeons.
The last time I went to the old Lytle creek area about 20 yrs ago or more it was insane. As previously stated, the gang bangers and idiots were out of control. Old cars, TV's, couches all kinds of cr@p left everywhere. It is a shame.

I am not sure but much more recently we used to go shoot in Inyo county outside of Bishop. Does anyone know if it is still legal in more rural counties such as Inyo or Mono??

[Bob C]

FYI, I know its a little far away, but this is a place I used to go to: http://www.aplacetoshoot.net/

[K9luvr]

The thing I like about "A Place to Shoot" is the proprieter has a guy come in and "mine" the lead out of the target areas.  The machine "scoops" the dirt up at about 6-8 inches deep, the rotates in in a drum.  The dirt filters out and the bullets are collected and the lead is recycled.  Helps keep the lead out of the environment.

[Selah]

I hear a new gun range in Phelan will be opening late 2017/early 2018.   That'll be so convenient. 

[SoCalGal]

This is the San Bernardino County official map:
http://cms.sbcounty.gov/parks/FishandGameCommission/ShootingMaps.aspx   - free to look at.
Also available to buy, at Bass Pro in Rancho Cucamonga.

Kern County doesn't feature any shooting locations on their Visitors website;    http://www.visitkern.com/outdoor-recreation/ 
Inyo County:     http://www.inyocounty.us/   
- these have links where people can email, and ask.

[Wrightwood]

With the snow season upon us I find this as an interesting note on the map:

22.0113 Throwing of Missiles.
It is unlawful  for any person to throw a snowball,  ice or any missile or object whatsoever, at or into an automobile or other
vehicle at any time when such vehicle is in motion, or when such vehicle is occupied by one or more persons.

[Nolena]

Phew! Now I will feel safer driving by your house.

[GeezerOnLarkRd]

I was of the impression that plinking and informal target shooting was still legal on most BLM land.  More specifically, I recall seeing a sign at the beginning of the dirt road leading NE out of the Calico area that indicated that shooting was acceptable. Has the situation changed?

[Selah]

It looks like the phelan gun range will be indoors, where their current store location is.  Their website:

http://www.phelangun.com

[Wrightwood]

Indoor range starting construction in 2017 with grand opening in late 2017/early 2018.

http://www.phelangun.com/contact-us-1.html

Phelan Gun Range
9539 Johnson Rd, Phelan, CA 92371, United States
760-221-8012
scott@phelangun.com  or  timd@phelangun.com
Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 AM to 8 PM
Tuesday, Thursday 5 PM to 8 PM
Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 4 PM