Los Padres National Forest Extends Recreational Shooting Ban for Six Months

Source: Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest officials announced that the Forest Order prohibiting recreational shooting except in permitted gun ranges has been extended until June 30, 2021, to provide for public safety due to continuing high fire danger conditions and the potential for a wildfire sparked by target shooting.

With minimal winter rainfall to date, live fuel moisture levels across the Forest have not significantly rebounded from last year and remain near critical levels. Predictive weather forecasts indicate persistent, strong offshore wind events through the spring that will likely further reduce fuel moisture levels.

Long-range weather models have consistently shown well below normal precipitation and drier than average weather with a high likelihood of elevated temperatures through the spring months. If these forecasts are accurate, fire activity could occur weeks earlier this year.

Preventing accidental starts from recreational shooting under dry conditions is key to protecting life and property. Shooting ranges under permit by Los Padres National Forest monitor and implement preventative measures to avoid accidental starts.

Under this Forest Order, discharging a firearm is prohibited except in the designated target ranges at the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club. Persons hunting during the open hunting season as specified in the laws of the State of California and having a valid California hunting license are exempt from this Forest Order.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

For additional information, please visit the Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/home.

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  1. These are guns that shoot projectiles, not flare guns. I have heard of fires starting near shooting ranges but these are extremely rare, and that is with 10’s of thousands of rounds being fired. The odds of firing one round into a game animal and starting a fire are zero.

  2. Sail, live and learn. According to a study by the BLM in 2013, if the bullets hit a rock that can spark, then the spark dropping into the surrounding dry grass can start the fire. When a bullet hits a target it can also shatter, then the kinetic energy turns to heat..and when the hot parts land in the dry vegetation, it can start a fire.

  3. Multiple bullets while hunting is another good question. Did you know there is a limit on how many rounds your firearm may hold while hunting? Its one of the first things the game warden checks when chatting with you. The limit on quail is 10 per day, That means I have to reload my Perazzi MX8 Sporting at least 5 times. Beretta A400 maybe 4 times.

  4. I can also tell you, almost all hunters pride themselves in making humane kills. Hunters are the original conservationist and some of the best people you’ll meet. Go to a local hunting/fishing meeting and learn something about what you don’t know.

  5. Another person showing they don’t have any clue what their talking about. Just to help a little, steel core ammunition is illegal to hunt with. Please. Get your facts straight before you come to an educated discussion,

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