Pawnee National Grassland Recreational Shooting Safety Reminder

Release Date: 

Contact(s): Reghan Cloudman


AULT, Colo., June 9, 2020 – This time of year the Pawnee National Grassland experiences high use. This, coupled with recent dry and windy conditions, is a good time to remind people of recreational sport shooting safety.

Recreational shooters may also be interested that the Baker Draw Designated Shooting Area will be temporarily closed June 18 and 19 until noon for maintenance work that will enhance the experience of users, along with needed invasive weed treatment.

If recreational shooting, please take safety precautions and be mindful that hot projectiles and sparks from ricochets can ignite fires in dry, grassy areas. Also, always be sure you are following the rules, regulations and best practices of recreational sport shooting when visiting the Pawnee National Grassland.

  • Only shoot at cardboard/paper targets, self-healing targets, manufactured metallic targets, or manufactured thrown-type clay targets. (No wooden backing allowed.) It is up to a $5,000 fine and/or imprisonment for up to six months for using an unapproved target.
  • Shoot further than 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area. This includes the Pawnee Bird Tour pull outs.
  • Do not shoot on or across a National Forest System Road or across a body of water.
  • Do not shoot in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage. Cattle are grazing throughout the Pawnee National Grassland.
  • Do not possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while discharging a firearm.
  • The area located in Township 8N, Range 63W, Section 7 is closed to recreational shooting for ¼ mile south of Weld County Road 96 and ¼ mile west of County Road 63. Shooting adjacent to the Baker Draw Designated Shooting area is also prohibited.
  • No tracer rounds or incendiary rounds allowed. Exploding targets are prohibited.
  • Clean up your targets and casings.
  • Respect all signs while visiting the Pawnee National Grassland.
  • Additional information is available online at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/targetshooting.

 

-USDA-