FR 402 / Sycamore wheeling and target shooting?

[Clunky]

I have a customer in town from Europe who's interested in experience some of our unique AZ culture. Anyone here have advice / directions for some mild wheeling + a good place for target shooting that's not too far away from Tempe? I've read that FR 402 might do the trick, but would like more specific instructions if anyone has some.

Thanks!

 

[Jgunner]

I think they closed down target shooting out there, or its paper targets only. Double check, im exhausted and suffer from crs

 

[OffRoadScott]

Not sure FR402 is closed to target shooting but if you need ammo come see me at True Shot Gun Club in Tempe. We sell mainly bulk ammo.

 

[Jgunner]

Not sure FR402 is closed to target shooting but if you need ammo come see me at True Shot Gun Club in Tempe. We sell mainly bulk ammo.

Yeah, everyone should. Damn good prices.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Ya take your guest to the club shooting then take them out and show them why you go to the club to shoot.

 

[AZCRSR]

I've been on Seven Springs Rd (FR 24) a couple of times recently. Both times there were people out targeting shooting. I think you just need to get past the campgrounds.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I've been on Seven Springs Rd (FR 24) a couple of times recently. Both times there were people out targeting shooting. I think you just need to get past the campgrounds.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5247233.pdf

This is partly why - Bathrooms at Bronco trial head on FR24 - Very sad

 

[GWcruiser]

It does make you wonder just how drunk the idiots were when they tried to kill a toilet. Even at "target shooting" locations the brokem bottles, garbage, and casings on the ground were reason enough to outlaw shooting on public lands.

 

[Clunky]

It looks like the restrictions in that document expired in June of 2014.

 

[GWcruiser]

This might be useful, or not.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd563567.pdf

... and here ...

Tonto National Forest - Alerts & Closures

Tonto National Forest - Alerts & Closures

www.fs.usda.gov

 

[Clunky]

That's helpful, but all it says is basically "don't shoot at things that aren't commonly accepted as typical/removable targets". So, don't shoot at water bottles, soda cans, empty kegs, etc.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Hopefully @-Spike- can chime in with some clarification. He is up to speed on the latest rules and regulations of Tonto.

 

[-Spike-]

I'm an ex-target shooter. After seeing what irresponsible folks do to the desert I don't want to be associated with the activity.

My understanding of the current rules is: if you shoot at anything other than paper or cardboard targets or other approved targets, you will be ticketed. If you are shooting at trash (empty bottle, refrigerator, TV, etc) it will be assumed that you brought those items out and dumped them, and you'll be ticketed for that too. If you don't police your brass, you'll be ticketed. In my opinion, they have taken the right direction to try to curb bad behavior while still allowing target shooting. If that doesn't work, they'll probably take away our privilege to shoot firearms in the national forest.

FYI- Game and Fish and FS LEO's have been known to set up spotters and monitor target shooters from a distance. If you go out target shooting, always assume someone's watching.

As far as where to go- the Sycamore area, including FR402, is certainly popular for shooting. There are mild to moderate to wild wheeling opportunities further north and west in the area. TRAL offers a map of the area on the Avenza app for like $2. Download the free Avenza app, go to the Map Store, and search 'TRAL' or 'Tonto National Forest - Sycamore Creek and Rolls OHV Areas'.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I'm an ex-target shooter. After seeing what irresponsible folks do to the desert I don't want to be associated with the activity.

My understanding of the current rules is: if you shoot at anything other than paper or cardboard targets or other approved targets, you will be ticketed. If you are shooting at trash (empty bottle, refrigerator, TV, etc) it will be assumed that you brought those items out and dumped them, and you'll be ticketed for that too. If you don't police your brass, you'll be ticketed. In my opinion, they have taken the right direction to try to curb bad behavior while still allowing target shooting. If that doesn't work, they'll probably take away our privilege to shoot firearms in the national forest.

FYI- Game and Fish and FS LEO's have been known to set up spotters and monitor target shooters from a distance. If you go out target shooting, always assume someone's watching.

As far as where to go- the Sycamore area, including FR402, is certainly popular for shooting. There are mild to moderate to wild wheeling opportunities further north and west in the area. TRAL offers a map of the area on the Avenza app for like $2. Download the free Avenza app, go to the Map Store, and search 'TRAL' or 'Tonto National Forest - Sycamore Creek and Rolls OHV Areas'.

Thanks Spike for the clarification.
Does the $2 go to TRAL or ....

 

[Clunky]

I'm an ex-target shooter. After seeing what irresponsible folks do to the desert I don't want to be associated with the activity.

While I understand that sentiment, I'm not going to let the behavior of irresponsible people stop me from enjoying the experience of shooting on AZ public lands. Shooting at a club pales in comparison.

 

[-Spike-]

Thanks Spike for the clarification.
Does the $2 go to TRAL or ....

My understanding is that Avenza gets a dollar, and TRAL gets a dollar.

 

[Jgunner]

Glad they are stepping up to curb the bad behavior, i have a feeling i know how it will end up, with politics getting in the way of doing a good job. I don’t need to talk about it on here though.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This past weekend