It's all in who you know!!!

I don't want to count chickens before they hatch, so, I'll try not to do so in this informational note. If for nothing else, this information means a lot to us at the Trash No Land organization.  It could mean big things coming, or, it could simply mean some great recognition.

This past week, Bryan, our Vice President, and I met with the Statewide Coordinator for the Oregon Dept of Fish & Wildlife Hunter Safety Education program. We spent all day with him, and our ODF contact, riding around together having great conversations covering the full spectrum of recreational shooting on public land.

He loves our organization, our direction and our values! He's excited about the fact we are working 'outside the box' in the development of the Wolf Creek shooting lanes in Tillamook State Forest, Oregon, (not your typical shooting range!). He is going to recommend that our organization be included into the Oregon Hunter Safety Education program as part of their statewide class curriculum. (That doesn't mean it's a done deal, but it means there is great hope we may be part of the everyday Hunter Ed classes throughout Oregon). I'm trying to be reasonably by thinking it may only be as a handout brochure, however, it may very well include a bit of discussion on public land target practice and perhaps class use of the lanes for their field requirements.

He has offered several ways to help us towards developing more shooting lanes on state lands. Assistance with ODFW grants for new lanes, required soil studies for federal grants and brochure design and printing are just a few. He will be a great asset to our ability to accomplish our goals of helping to provide quality, safe and sustainable shooting on public lands, raising awareness and causing a positive difference in recreational shooting.

He has invited Bryan and I to speak at the Oregon Association of Shooting Ranges meeting in December in Salem. We accepted. We plan to introduce Trash No Land and speak about our existing and proposed lane developments. The OASR can help in several ways... They are the ones who provide the soil studies we need (at no cost to us), they offer special donations to deserving organizations and offer some other great financial benefits as well.

Here is the letter of support he wrote for our recent grant application, from the NRA Foundation, for the improvements we're seeking at the existing North Fork Wolf Creek Shooting Lanes...

To Whom It May Concern:

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Hunter Education Program would like to express our support for the grant that you are seeking with the NRA Foundation. Your shooting lanes on public lands (partnerships with Oregon Department of Forestry) provides a vital role in providing a safe place for the public to shoot at. These shooting lanes and the mission of the Trash No Lands closely match the mission of the Oregon hunter education program; this mission of promoting safe, lawful, and responsible recreational shooting is much needed. This essential partnership will allow for hunter education instructors to teach future shooters and hunters the proper firearm safety practices at these shooting lanes.

Your concept of providing shooting lanes on public land will allow the public to have a safe place to shoot it will also provide the hunter education program a long term place to provide hunter education instructors a place to do the live fire requirement of these classes. ODFW fully supports any projects that update and expand shooting ranges.

This is a most excellent and valuable contact to have!  I have a good feeling that things will be growing very well for us in 2018!  I hope we live up to their expectations and deliver the team work necessary to accomplishing the goals of achieving positive change in recreational shooting behaviors.

As for the team work part, we just saw it happen in a big way!  Late last week, we heard of the NRA Foundations' grant application that was to close on Nov 14th and if we wanted to get in on that, for financial help this coming Spring/Summer, we'd best apply now!  A few emails and phone calls later, we had several, from our 'War Room' team planning committee forum, working extra overtime to compile all the info needed to satisfy the application requirements.  Down to the wire!!!  It is a $10,000 + grant request to do improvements and upgrades to the existing Wolf Creek Lanes!

I clicked the 'Send' button 2 min's before the deadline and got an immediate response that 2 fields need input.  I uploaded a PDF and edited the second one, then made the mistake of reviewing the rest of the application (for the 5th time at least).  I hit 'Send' again at 7 min's after the deadline!  My heart sunk as I saw the time.  I thought, "I missed it.  After all that work!  I missed it!"  A few min's later I received a confirmation that the application was successfully submitted!  Three days later now, and I just received an official confirmation from the NRA Foundation!  We made it!  Grant Request successfully submitted!

That was real team work!  No way could I have put this together and made the deadline in that short of time by myself.  Thank you to Lisa, our Media Consultant, Randy of ODF, Aaron, our Treasurer/Board of Directors and Bryan our Vice President.  You all took your rolls seriously and didn't waist any time in getting busy to get it done!  THANK YOU!

It's time to dig in, folks, and focus on what we can do to build this organization into a viable, strong and 'get it done' type organization.  We need to build membership, funds, programs and start seeing some results for our efforts.  We need to have a ton of fun while doing it.  This is not work, it's fun with a benefit that makes a difference.  Let's go for it!

Bill

Improving Recreational Shooting

The volume of trashed shooting sites, on our public lands nearest to the major metropolitan areas, is a big problem.  Illegal dumping, shooting of trash, unsafe conditions, leaving behind spent targets and casings and a general lack of awareness of rules, is ruining our privilege to shoot on public land.  It reflects badly on all who shoot, whether hunting or simply for target practice.  Left unchecked, our privilege to shoot may soon become a thing of the past.

This would be a sad ending to the generations past, present and future who cherish the freedom to recreate as we wish.  The enjoyment of teaching the young ones, sighting in the hunting rifle, getting to know and use your new or old gun, or just a fun day impressing your friends, could be gone if we don't get involved with correcting the problem now!

Trash No Land is facing this challenge head on.  We are on high alert to this problem and are aggressively involved in providing solutions.  We realize it will take a multitude of efforts to make a difference and we are willing to step up to the plate and knock down a home run or two for recreational shooting.  Are you?

We are currently developing several education and awareness programs that are designed to improve and preserve recreational shooting.  To implement these programs, we have immediate cash needs for the production of printed publications, in-class training materials, video training productions and public land shooting lane developments.

Would you like to see improvements in recreational shooting?  The only thing holding us back is cash money.

With your help of a financial donation, we could reach thousands with our message of responsible shooting on public lands.  If you can help, please consider a contribution to our efforts.  Your donation is tax deducible.

Use your credit card, debit card, or PayPal account. http://trashnoland.org/donate.htm .

To learn more about Trash No Land or to become a member, visit our website at trashnoland.org .

 Thank you!

Bill Cogley

WIN A NEW 3 BURNER CAMP STOVE!

It's on, folks!  Our Facebook Like & Comment "Stewardship keeps it open" contest.

We're growing our organization to help improve Public Land shooting for our great Northwest by raising awareness of our organization and the message we deliver. Your help is greatly appreciated!

If you have already 'Liked' our Facebook page, you may still enter by adding the comment; "Stewardship keeps it open" in this contest thread. But be sure to 'Like' our page to qualify!

To qualify for the drawing, be sure to 'Like' the FACEBOOK PAGE, not just 'Like' the contest post, and post a comment in this contest thread; Stewardship keeps it open!. There are some entries who haven't 'Liked' the page yet, so double check to be sure you'll be in the running!

Only on Facebook;

https://www.facebook.com/trashnoland/photos/a.936027409821226.1073741827.936019916488642/1484698384954123/?type=3&theater

Good luck!

Bill

COMMIT RANDOM ACTS OF CLEANUPS!

The Trash No Land 'Stew Award' goes out to Craig & Tracy, of Albany, Oregon, for their dedication to Stewardship in Recreational Shooting.

Craig and Tracy recently donated 5 hours of their recreation time to help keep recreational shooting, in the Mary's Peak area SW of Corvallis Oregon, open for all of us.

So our 'Stew Award' shout out goes to Craig and Tracy. Thank you for your random act of cleanup!

If you wish to share your random cleanup efforts, please send information and photos to info@trashnoland.org . Together, we will make a difference!.

Stewardship keeps it open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TARGET SHOOTING NOW PROHIBITED TNF... FIRE DANGER

Put those firearms back in the safe, folks! Target shooting is now prohibited in Mt. Hood National Forest, until we get past this extreme/unusual fire potential situation.

Of course, we're not surprised, right?!!!. I'm sure most of us have chosen not to shoot in this extreme weather condition, because of the extra potential for wildfires.

The order to prohibit shooting has been signed (Sept 4th) and is currently in force. The official announcements will be publicized real soon. They are currently enforcing this order and are preparing to post signs at primary shooting locations about the closure.

So please, share this info with fellow shooters and don't go! It's not worth it!

Thank you all for your understanding and patients!

 

Using Suppressors in Public Land Shooting

We support the use of suppressors in public land shooting, as it helps reduce noise and enhances the recreational experience for all who visit our great outdoors.

We will have a special presentation of several suppressor options at this event, presented by Sporting Systems of Vancouver.  You won’t want to miss this!

Description:

We will be cleaning up outdoor target shooting sites. WA DNR will provide bags, garbage disposal, insurance, a free 1 day Discover Pass parking permits and hours will be applied toward a free annual Discover Pass.

Hunters, Target Shooters, Families & General Public!  All are invited!  All are welcome!

A BBQ LUNCH is on Trash No Land!  Win free prizes!

WIN THIS!!!

Buck Mark 22 with 1000 Rounds!

Each volunteer receives a FREE raffle ticket and has a chance to win this Buck Mark 22 with 1000 rounds of ammo! No ticket purchase necessary. Winner must be of legal age to own & possess a handgun firearm. FFL transfer is included.

This awesome FREE PRIZE is graciously provided by Sporting Systems, Vancouver, WA, who encourage you to come help promote stewardship, sportsmanship and responsibility in public land shooting!

(Donations requested but not required!).​

Location:  Yacolt Burn State Forest at Arrowhead Pit on the L1500

Google Maps:  https://goo.gl/maps/wfsuHG9u8Xo      GPS:  45.718232, -122.317349

From Hockinson area on NE 182nd Ave, Turn East on NE 139th St.  Becomes NE Rawson Rd and then becomes the L1400 Rd.  Stay till the intersection of the L1000 Rd in Yacolt Burn State Forest.  Slight jog right and then immediate left on the L1500 Rd.  Go up about 1 mile to the Arrowhead Pit.  Only 1 mile of easy gravel road.

From Orchards:  I205 & SR500:  https://goo.gl/maps/zNIoL

Through Hockinson:  https://goo.gl/maps/TyosX

From Camas area:  https://goo.gl/maps/2ZL03

After Lunch enjoy some great target shooting fun!  See & hear, (if you can), suppressors in action!

Bring ear and eye protection and appropriate legal targets.

Bring Gloves, Boots, Jeans, Rake, Shovel, Legal Targets and something with a trigger!

Supporting Partners: Sporting Systems, Sportsman's Warehouse, Cabela's, Butcher Boys Meats

Trash No Land is a Nonprofit Charitable Volunteer organization

promoting responsible shooting on all public land.

© 2016 Trash No Land, Inc.

SHOOTING LANE DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Thoughts for consideration when developing improved shooting lanes on public land.

Here are a few thoughts, on last years project, that were designed into the improved shooting lanes in Tillamook State Forest on North Fork Wolf Creek Rd (overseen by Randy Peterson of TSF in Forest Grove, Oregon.

This is the place where Oregon Dept. of Forestry improved 4 shooting lanes. My Vice President Bryan Olson, myself and a couple other knowledgeable recreational shooters, were fortunate enough to consult in the design stages and completion of these lanes.

Your first impression is "Wow! This looks like a nice place to shoot". And that's exactly the impression we wanted to give. Make it attractive so people prefer to use this place instead of any old weeded, brush filled or treed place in the forest.

The picture below is a short pistol range, (lane #2). Park in front of the boulders and walk up the gravel path to the Jersey barrier shooting line. There is a soil backstop berm, in front of the big hill, at about 35 yards from the barrier.

Notice the sign! It's a map of the shooting lane (Lane #3 is about 60 yards long and includes a short pistol berm on the right side). It shows where to locate targets and highlights the No Shoot Zone (around the edges).

Think of a golf course with a map of the hole at each tee. The sign incorporates messages of ODF shooting rules, fire safety and related referral information to Trash No Land and Northwest Firearms. (Be careful not to add too much information. They won't spend the time to read it!)

Here is a photo of lane #3 before the improvement (trash all over the hillside!). That is very difficult to clean up and rarely ever gets done!

Here's a picture after the improvement. Since the improvement has been completed, Trash No Land has done 3 cleanups there and each time all the trash was within the shooting lanes! No trash was spread out around the hillside. That made for quick and easy cleanup! Just what we had hoped for! On-going stewardship is happening weekly!

We consistently see targets placed within the lanes. Not outside in the dry grass or brush. This is the primary reason for the design of these lanes. To reduce the potential for wildfire. No dry grass or tinder, not shooting into downed logs/stumps/live trees. Certainly time will tell, however so far, these lanes have out performed the plans we made. They are attractive, inviting, popular, easy to cleanup, promote stewardship and help prevent fires.

A couple more design elements that should be considered...

The shooting line. Yes, Jersey barriers work well, but, double barriers work better! That's because they are 3 feet apart, filled with gravel, in-between, and have boulders on each end. Why?...

1. To establish a designated shooting line. Shooters no longer need to bring out tables and try to line them up in some fashion that might resemble a shooting line. It's for shooter safety, convenience and attractiveness!

2. Makes for a nice table top when shooting. We didn't want the typical scene of a pickup backed in with the tailgate down and all the firearms laid out on the tailgate. What often happens is, the shooter returns to his vehicle, picks up the next gun and sweeps the crowd at the firing line while returning. With a built-in table top, the shooter now brings all his guns to the line and lays them out, pointing down range. We've see it over and over again. It's a natural safety feature! (below photo is Lane 4, about 75 yards).

3. To enter the firing line, you have to walk around the barrier, (not through it). When you do, it's only natural that you glance across the line and notice if anyone is fondling their firearm. Although "Range Cold" has been called, this is another safety check we had planned on to aide as a double check for no hands on guns while changing targets.

4. Boulder parking. Notice the space between the boulders and shooting line. That was done on purpose. It keeps vehicles just far enough away to deter the idea of working out of your vehicle. You unload and pack your firearms to the shooting line Jersey barrier table top.

5. ADA accessible. A good gravel pack allows for wheel chair access to set up targets. NICE!

6. Promotes user stewardship. Most of those who use these lanes tend to keep them in good condition. Certainly, some do not care and will leave their mess, but for the most part, users are keeping it reasonably picked up. It's the part about 'looking like a recreational place' that helps. Several of our members use this place on a regular basis and report almost weekly on the conditions. Most reports are of only a couple bags worth of trash but in real good condition each week.


Needless to say, I'm excited about these lanes! They have been successful in each area we had planned for. Especially the fire prevention part!

I hope this information helps with your planning efforts and perhaps you could incorporate an idea or two from here.

We all know recreational shooting will be around for years to come. It is tradition and is a viable type of recreation on public land. If we work together in recognizing it’s concerns and potential, we can help shape its future and make it into something that is acceptable to all who visit the forest.

Thank you! I appreciate your work towards improving responsible shooting on public land.


Bill
www.trashnoland.org
A 501(c)3 Charitable Volunteer Nonprofit organization.

Earth Day at Tillamook State Forest. Browns Camp Pit!

Our next event is coming up real soon!  Plan to join us on this one!  We'll do a lot of good for recreational shooting and we'll have a lot of fun target shooting after it's done!

We are making a statement that says this is a place for our kind of recreational activity and we will not allow it to be trashed!

Details on our website Events page at:  http://trashnoland.org/events.html

Sign up via our Facebook Event page at:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1856760111204457/?active_tab=about

We are Recreational Target Shooters!

Upcoming Spring Cleanup-n-Shoot Events

Here's what's on the slate for Spring so far.  We recently finished the first one for 2017 in Tillamook State Forest off Hwy 26 (Photos are on the Events page under Past Events) and are moving on to several more soon.

March 18th: Mt Hood National Forest.  36 Pit Cleanup.  Hwy 224 at the 36 Pit.
(9AM-1 PM) 

11 miles East of Estacada on Hwy 224 just past the Memaloose Rd bridge.

Google Maps:  https://goo.gl/maps/GFfBYQ77Xgx

GPS:  45.196422, -122.180072

BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch), outdoor clothes, boots & gloves.

BYVS!  (Bring Your Volunteer Spirit!)

Open to the Public, Family, Kids and Friends.  All are welcome!

Sponsored by; Trash No Land, Northwest Firearms, USFS and Clackamas County Dump Stoppers.

This is a small area and won’t take long to cleanup.  It sees a lot of use and gets messy often.  It’s a place we need to keep in good condition.

Bring some toys for some fun & safe recreational shooting after the cleanup!

If you value the privilege of free recreation in Mt. Hood National Forest, join Trash No Land, Northwest Firearms, USFS and Clackamas County Dump Stoppers as we take a stand against trash on public land.

April 1st:  WA DNR Yacolt Burn State Forest.  No Foolin Cleanup.

(9AM-1 PM) 

Lower L1500 road where NE 412th Ave enters the Burn.

Google Maps:  https://goo.gl/maps/TXmbAooxGKU2

GPS:  45°39'55.3"N 122°15'01.9"W

Lunch provided by Vancouver, WA Open Carry

Open to the Public, Family, Kids and Friends.  All are welcome!

Sponsored by;  Trash No Land, Vancouver, WA Open Carry, WaGuns .org and WA State DNR.

Join us in Yacolt Burn State Forest as we partner to represent responsible shooting on public land!

We will begin our Spring Cleanup on Larch Mtn. in the morning and end with a BBQ about Noon, followed by some good old target practice.

DNR will provide trash bags, rubber gloves, day passes for the day, and even accident insurance. Plus you can log the time towards a free annual pass as well.  TNL will arrange the logistics with DNR and VWOC will supply the BBQ part.  We need volunteers to help with the BBQ part!

Bring outdoor clothes, gloves and boots.  Also, bring a rake, gloves, drinking water and a good spirit for doing good for the sport of recreational shooting!

April 22nd:  Tillamook State Forest.  Earth Day Cleanup at Beaver Dam Rock Pit (Browns Camp shooting pit).

(9AM-1 PM) 

Meeting point at ODOT Sandshed on south side of Oregon Highway 6 at milepost 33. Look for the sand barn and dumpsters.

Google Map:  https://goo.gl/maps/T5kHUXuEicn

GPS:  45° 37' 24.6288" N, 123° 22' 33.8988" W

BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch).

Open to the Public, Family, Kids 12 & over and your Friends.  All are welcome!

Sponsored by:  Trash No Land, SOLVE and ODF/Tillamook State Forest.

Parking permitted for day of event only in sand shed site. Carpooling encouraged and most volunteers will drive their own vehicles to the individual clean-up sites.

You will need to bring: Shovels, rakes, work boots, work gloves, wheelbarrows, pick-up trucks / trailers that are OK to haul garbage.  Dress for the weather!

Bring team spirit and team effort as we join SOLVE and ODF/Tillamook State Forest for Earth Day!  We will be cleaning up the Browns Camp gravel pit where a lot of target shooting takes place.  If we have a good turn out, we'll also spiff up some nearby areas.

May 6th: WA DNR Yacolt Burn State Forest.  Pick Up The Burn (multi rec group cleanup).
All the details about this event are due soon and we'll post them.  This is the annual BIG cleanup where all recreational groups join forces and cleanup the whole mountain in one day!  Huge barbecue lunch is provided and lots of free raffle prizes are won!  Close to 200 people show up for this event!  Hope you attend too!

Join us as a Volunteer and Member of Trash No Land:
http://trashnoland.org/volunteer.html
Our Events page has the details about current and past events:
http://trashnoland.org/events.html

We represent the Recreational Shooting Community.  We're going to make a difference!

Cleanups… A Love/Hate Relationship!

Who Loves a Cleanup?    Who Hates it?

The Hate part:

No one should have to do cleanups on pubic land outside of cleaning up just what you took in.  I find it infuriating that some people show no respect for the value of our public land, no respect for others who wish to recreate there and no respect for the sport of recreational shooting.

Having to cleanup someone else’s trash at shooting sites is not part of my recreational plan!  I hate that part!

The Love part:

Cleanups are much more than simply removing trash.  It’s the people part I like best.  It’s the comradery, the teamwork and the spirit of the volunteers.  It’s the statement we make when we join together as a unified voice to say; “We value the privilege”, “We are committed to responsible recreation” and “We respect all who visit public land”.

If you think about it, there are many positive things you can attribute to volunteering.  Things like; the self-satisfaction you get from knowing you did the right thing, the good you do for the environment, the stand against irresponsible recreation and a whole lot more.  Whether we like it or not, we still do it with great anticipation of making a better outdoor adventure for everyone.  I love that part!

The Challenging part:

I see the forest without any trash.  Healthy trees free from bullet holes.  No broken glass to step on.  People recreating and abiding by the rules.  A dream you say?  A goal I say!

It’s a goal prefaced with a challenge… “Find a solution to the problem”!  I had hoped for a simple solution…  “Just clean it and they will keep it clean”.  Not so!  “Tell them about the rules and they will abide by them”.  Some do, many don’t.  “Raise more awareness”.  Not easy for one person to do, but, one can do a lot!  “Make better places to shoot where they are easy to clean, safer to use and more user friendly than stumbling through the thick brush or boulders of jagged rock”.  That’s not easy thing to convince forest officials and it takes an upfront investment.  It is, however, a viable and good option.

Achieving the goal is going to take a variety of efforts.  There is no one singular solution to this problem.  Our goal is a big challenge.  One I feel is worthy of my efforts.

Reach the Goal part:

The ‘common sense’ side of me says “It’s too big for one person to do.  I need help”.  Many people feel the same way as I and many have supported the efforts towards the goal.  Being encouraged by their support, Trash No Land was formed.

Its purpose is to represent the recreational target shooting community on public land.  It is to be an organization where gun owners ban together and meet the challenge head on.  Its multiple people doing multiple things, all focused on the common goal.  Its innovative thinking, discussion, planning, communicating, partnering, boots on the ground.  Its people and their unique talents working together to make a better recreational experience.  And that's the best part of all!

Join Trash No Land and let’s get to work!  Together!

http://trashnoland.org/volunteer.html

Thank you all!

Bill Cogley

Overdue Bryan's Weekly...

Hey all,

I have been getting my butt kicked at work lately and I apologize I have not posted much as of lately.

Lots of stuff has happened since my last post.

It is official. TNL is good to go for Washington State. Now we are waiting on our status with the Feds on the 501-3c status. I want to give a big "THANKS" to Bill the founder and President of TNL for getting all of this completed. Without Bill this movement wouldn't exist.

I had a meeting with Randy Peterson with Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove Office, two Mondays ago. We sat together for 3 hours going over many things that have been needing attention, as well as the future of our partnership. I am excited to announce that ODF wants to continue the progress we have made in the Tillamook State Forest with the fire safe shooting lane improvements. There is lots of work to be done and I hope to be a beacon to assist and contribute. Much of the work is to continue providing support through volunteers to keep the sites clean. Much like hikers assist ODF with cleaning and maintaining trails, recreational shooters are needed to assist with keeping these sites looking good and usable.

With that said, ODF plans on continuing to improve the 4 fire safe sites that were improved upon last year. Such plans include adding better backstops and creating a longer lasting berm for the shorter lanes to assist with weather and use degrading the existing berms. Other future plans include adding further sites within the North Wolf Creek area so as to pull recreational shooting away from other recreational areas that see heavier OHV and Hiking uses. I look forward to seeing a 5th site added to the Wolf Creek area!

As you can see in this picture the weather and use over the winter have caused a good amount of degradation to the berms and such. Improving the berms is something that will be required to keep them from becoming a muddy pile of dirt. So plans are in the works to improve them. Possibly adding a fixed lean and or adding better materials similar to what is used at actual shooting ranges.


In other news, we have our first clean up on the books. I know it is last minute, but there seemed to be a need for one. To get the ball rolling type thing. So TNL will be organizing a "BYOL" clean up. No BBQ or prizes, just a short, simple clean up and shoot out. The Wolf Creek sites are not the largest, and they are relatively easy to clean, which was part of the design element, so it should be quick and easy.

TNL looks to host a clean up in Washington as well, as well as possibly partnering here and there on a few others within Tillamook and possibly Mt Hood. Keep your eyes open and glued to are Facebook and or website for more information on those as they become available.

Sorry it has been so long. Hoping to get more typed up soon!

Bryan

Feb 25, 2017,  9 AM

Tillamook State Forest at North Fork Wolf Creek Rd. developed shooting lanes

Google Map Link:  https://goo.gl/maps/WUhTAwgzHrt

36 miles West of Beaverton, Oregon off Hwy 26.

BYOL and BYOGH! (Bring Your Own Lunch and Bring Your Own Good Heart!)  We'll provide the trash bags and disposal.  Plan on a bit of target shooting fun when we're done!

Starts at 9 AM.  Bring gloves, jeans, outdoor boots and dress for the weather.

No special awards or prizes.  A bare bones cleanup.  Our reward is the self sense of doing good for our privelage to shoot on public land.  Gun owners unite!  We're going to make a difference!

This cleanup is inspired by the devoted members of NorthwestFirearms.com.  They are dedicated to "Supporting gun owners of the Pacific Northwest"!

Be sure to sign up at our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/255419358217608/ 

And read more on our website Events page:  http://trashnoland.org/events.html

See you then!

Spring Shooting Fever!

Finally some nice weekend weather in the Portland Metro area!  Sure felt like shooting weather to me!  Did you get out for a little target fun?

I had an itchy trigger finger all weekend and a bummed attitude because I knew I couldn't go.  Too many items on the 'Honey Do' list to do around the house.  Piddly little things like patch the hole in the roof, clean out the gutters, rake up all the limbs that blew down, wash the car, wash the dog, wash myself... you know, the kind of stuff that could have waited till NEXT WEEKEND!

On the other hand, the Sportsman's show would have been a good choice.  I saw a few pics of it and read a few comments about it.  Sure wanted to go.  Next year we should be able to do a booth at the show and spread the message of Trash No Land.  Will be fun!

I am anxious, however, to get up in the forest to see the condition of the shooting sites.  I need a full day to visit the shooting lanes in Tillamook and Mt Hood Wild Cat area.  At least a half day up on the Yacolt Burn.  I really want to go tour Tahuya State Forest, outside of Olympia.

Wanting to get the ball rolling on some cleanups and meet-n-greet shooting fun.  For now, it's a bit of organizational stuff like planning and admin work.  Should be able to create an event or two this spring.

Hope it was a good weekend all!  Be safe, Have fun!

Bill

Bryan's Weekly W/E 1/27/17

TNL followers,

I know there are not a whole lot of you following our movement now. I believe this will change soon, in time.

We have had a successful meeting, yes, TNL's first board meeting is on the books. That is a start. In combination with getting our filing underway, we are on our way to becoming incorporated as a Non-Profit.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Today, however, I would like to talk about the lanes developed at  North Fork Wolf Creek.

Being that I was involved with planning and development of the 4 lanes, I figured I would highlight the GOOD things that come from putting yourself out there. Something that Trash No Land plans on doing a lot of, and we ask that our followers do as well.

It all started with a day out on Louisgnot Road, a day out with a friend, recreationally shooting. Jason Rautenkranz, a former ODF Forest Grove employee, pulled up to see what my friend I are were up to. He had been tasked with educating and enforcement of Tillamook Forest Recreational Shooting laws. Him and I talked for a really long time that afternoon. I took Jason's card and promised I would touch bases with him later.

A month or so passed and I found Jason's card. I called.

Next thing I knew I was going on ride alongs with Jason in and around Tillamook State Forest. We were collecting information on shooting locations and coming up with plans to perform some sort of shooting lane development within Tillamook State Forest. The forest Grove department led by Recreational Manager Randy Peterson, saw the need for something, anything, after having a fairly significant fire cause unforeseen costs to the department. A fire, unfortunately, caused by uneducated recreational shooters.

Many ride alongs took place. Followed by many meetings with other like minded people that wanted to contribute to the cause. Shortly there after, we had a mock up of our blueprint for what design elements were to be implemented into a recreational shooting lane.

After that was said and done, there was a little radio silence.

Then it was approve!!! I was honestly, super surprised, but insanely happy!

Just so you get an idea of the work that went into these spots. Here is a picture of Lane 3 prior to development.




And after:



A cool visual from Google, before:



After (lane 3 and 4):



Some progress pictures:




Some completion pictures:

Moving forward, I am continuing to work with the Oregon Department of Forestry and Randy Peterson. We have stayed in contact and are looking to continue our partnership (which strengthened due to incorporating Trash No Land as a non-profit). With some more work we look to continue developing more sites like these.


Thanks!

Bryan