Public land shooting?

[coyotebait]

I’m sure this has been gone over many times in the past, I’ve been away. Looking for public land for target shooting near Ventura county. I’m aware that Los Padres is a no go. I know about the ranges around but just don’t like shooting with people that I don’t know. Any suggestions?

 

[echo1]

Tough to get away from folks in Kali, especially to a "free" shooting spot. Most mall ninjas are lazy slobs, PAX

 

[coyotebait]

Tough to get away from folks in Kali, especially to a "free" shooting spot. Most mall ninjas are lazy slobs, PAX

I know that’s why cherry creek got shut down and probably why Los Padres as a whole. Angeles national forest website says it’s allowed but I’m not as familiar with that area, I’ll go there, I’m just not familiar with a specific spot. Some reconnoissance may be in order

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Public land shooting spots are like hunting spots, you don't really post them online so they can get blown up. You can see a bunch of stuff with satellite and a topo map though. Most of the closures are for fire danger, even in the winter now we are getting major fires...

 

[star.3d]

I'm happy to answer questions, but I don't feel good saying like "go here", because stewardship is partly each of us understanding the laws and regulations. Check links in post below, seasonal fire restriction for the CA Desert District ended 10/29. General process is 1.) Find BLM or NF land; 2.) Check fire restrictions; 3.) Check county/local laws. BLM office folks are generally helpful if you call - they're not anti-gun.

S

Post in thread 'Is there still open shooting in Aguanga just east of Temecula?'

Oct 15, 2025

Possibly, though this area is still under BLM seasonal fire restriction (map here) order until October 29th - you could give the field office a call, but I doubt it'll be lifted sooner given the shutdown. Use ArcGIS maps to locate BLM. I can't speak for county laws in that area, specifically, but those still apply.

• star.3d

 

[star.3d]

Angeles national forest website says it’s allowed

Generally not allowed in Angeles NF. You can hunt there, but you can't target shoot outside of designated shooting ranges (link to County ordinances):

13.66.550 - Firearms—Regulations in Angeles National Forest.

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person shall not shoot, fire or discharge, and a person, firm or corporation shall not cause or permit to be shot, fired or discharged in the unincorporated territory lying within the boundaries of the Angeles National Forest as defined in Section 13.66.560 any firearm of any kind excluding those firearms used in the pursuit of birds and mammals pursuant to California Fish and Game regulations.

13.66.551 - Exception to section applicability—Angeles National Forest target shooting areas designated by the United States Forest Service.

The provisions of Section 13.66.550 shall not be deemed or construed to prohibit, within the 16 target shooting areas identified on the map entitled "Areas open to target shooting Exhibit A Order No. 01-81-8" as designated by the United States Forest Service, a person from shooting, firing or discharging or a person, firm or corporation causing or permitting to be shot, fired or discharged any firearms of any kind.

 

[coyotebait]

Generally not allowed in Angeles NF. You can hunt there, but you can't target shoot outside of designated shooting ranges (link to County ordinances):

Guess that answers that. Thanks to all for the info

 

[Z Arms LLC]

OnX Hunt app on your phone, shows BLM land and other designated regions by the state, great app

 

[BobGBA]

This is what's on the Los Padres site. I'm going to guess it's a no go.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/opportunities/hunting-fishing-and-shooting

First you see this:


Scroll down and you see this. I wonder if there's even anyone there to answer the phone.

 

[coyotebait]

This is what's on the Los Padres site. I'm going to guess it's a no go.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres/recreation/opportunities/hunting-fishing-and-shooting

First you see this:
View attachment 111268

Scroll down and you see this. I wonder if there's even anyone there to answer the phone.
View attachment 111265

Yep, Los Padres pumped the brakes on recreational shooting in 2019, if I’m not mistaken

 

[Jimi Jah]

Los Padres like Angeles are urban forests. That was the reasoning to disallow target shooting. Too many gang banger types blasting in the woods.

The overuse and deluding of the San Gabriel river was the impetus for creating the National Forest Pass program. Forcing a $5 fee for parking and soaking (peeing) in the river caused the low lifes to settle with the public pools down in the SGV. It helped the San Gabriel river to recover.

 

[star.3d]

San Bernardino National Forest has 1N09 target shooting areas, but the whole forest is closed to target shooting through January 17th, 2026. (Link to order)

I hiked by one of these sites yesterday, and it was absolutely trashed with spent casings, boxes, and garbage... this is the type of that gives the shooting community a bad rap. Needs a community shoot & cleanup day or something...

 

[RipTownTech]

Get ONX Hunt app. Shows you where all of the National Forest and BLM land is. If you see a spot near you, you can then check with the local ranger/BLM station that has jurisdiction to see if there are any restrictions.