Have you seen this? Comment period is on now till June 10th, 2020.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/wdfw-lands/recreation-planning/rule-development/target-shooting#These
rules are very similar to WA State land rules but with more definition
and some added restrictions, mostly dates you can use steel targets at
dispersed sites and a steel core bullet restriction. I'm reading more
confusion and long, drawn out wording I think could be simplified for
better understanding and easier to read.
A few things that are defined and enhanced more than state rules:
Backstop
definition, Steel Core restriction, Steel target time restriction,
Target placement, Target stands and the expansion of the No Shooting
near facilities & structures.
Backstop definition: I see the
problem all the time and many shooters don't seem to get the idea of a
backstop. They are requiring a minimum of 8 feet high with a sharp
incline (in otherwords; not a long gradual slope). The top priority is
to stop the bullet from leaving the range area and a long sloping grade
could easily skip the bullet up and over an 8 foot mound of dirt. Even a
flat surface can skip a bullet over a shorter backstop. So, defining
the 8 foot height and slope is a good idea.
Steel Core restriction: Steel makes sparks, so, this restriction was inevitable. It's to further help prevent wildfires.
Steel
target time restriction: Again, to prevent wildfires. The East side may
become drier sooner than the West site but if you were to have a
different start date for each side, it may add more confusion to the
already involved set of rules we have to learn. How much longer would it
be delayed for the West side? Probably only 1 month because starting
July, the West side gets real dry and fires can & do happen in any
part of the state. You can shoot steel targets from Oct 1 to May 31.
Perhaps look at it as the glass is half full rather than half empty.
Target
placement: Within 8 feet of the backstop and must be shooting at the
lower half of the backstop. That's new and further defined. That is,
however, the proper distance to be placing the target and the proper
part of the backstop to be shooting at. Again, stop the skipping bullet
in the backstop.
Target stands: Further defining what is not a target stand, such as, power poles, fence posts, car parts, ect...
No shooting near structures & facilities: Just more 'common sense' things to avoid shooting near.
Clays defined: Many people automatically think clays are biodegradable, so, they clarified that.
Consequences:
They do point out that failure to remove trash constitutes 'littering'.
They go further to to site WA RCW laws that are punishable if found to
be in violation of this subsection.
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So,
how much can we argue with? It's all common sense and appropriate
guidelines we already know (or should know) and it better clarifies
specific areas that are commonly misunderstood or misinterpreted.
I
don't see a need for outrage and anger over these improvements. It's
not like they are restricting or trying to restrict our rights. They are
trying to provide public safety and fire prevention. It's stuff we
should already be doing. If we are to share the land with each other,
and with other recreation users, we must make safety and fire prevention
our top priority.
Bill
