Shooting spots, public land, where do you shoot?

[foolinwfire]

Here's a question nobody will answer, or basically give up. Where do you shoot, not a range, I'm talking public land that is legal to target shoot? I live in an area where my neighbors are too close, looking for public properties where I can target shoot that's legal, not cheap or poor but the range fees can add up! I'm mid downstate, Dutchess, and don't want to keep asking friends if I can use their properties, like to know some spots where I can go at anytime without permission if you know what I mean.

PS if you don't want to give it up to the whole forum just PM me LOL

 

[4excal]

In Putnam here, always at the range (yea yea when not at the range) I set up targets against backstops type hilly lands in a few different State Land areas around. You may want others that give a fear to laws to chime in though, cause legal or not I do what I choose lol. I remember researching this and countless threads on multiple forums saying it is ok as long as you follow the 500' foot blah blah road blah blah and have an DEC Access Permit(free to apply and print out) for accessing State or certain watershed areas..like almost all of Putnam and most of Dutchess is.

 

[foolinwfire]

In Putnam here, always at the range (yea yea when not at the range) I set up targets against backstops type hilly lands in a few different State Land areas around. You may want others that give a fear to laws to chime in though, cause legal or not I do what I choose lol. I remember researching this and countless threads on multiple forums saying it is ok as long as you follow the 500' foot blah blah road blah blah and have an DEC Access Permit(free to apply and print out) for accessing State or certain watershed areas..like almost all of Putnam and most of Dutchess is.

I have a DEC land permit, anyone ever have issues using their properties, following the 500' bla bla bla rules?

 

[4excal]

I have a DEC land permit, anyone ever have issues using their properties, following the 500' bla bla bla rules?

I've been doing it for years upon years and I fish 4/5 times a week and been hiking doing all these activities for past 25 years here.. I'm almost certain I have never EVER even saw a DEC or DEP or anyone besides normal citizens in the woods..ALL and every woods at that. Sooooo, yea it's safe to say it's safe, until the one odd coincidence you'll bump into a warden dude. That's my outlook on this

 

[eagleridge357]

I've been doing it for years upon years and I fish 4/5 times a week and been hiking doing all these activities for past 25 years here.. I'm almost certain I have never EVER even saw a DEC or DEP or anyone besides normal citizens in the woods..ALL and every woods at that. Sooooo, yea it's safe to say it's safe, until the one odd coincidence you'll bump into a warden dude. That's my outlook on this

Have any favorite spots in Dutchess?

 

[Criticalt]

According to the DEC website, statelands are good to go unless there is a sign saying "not open to target shooting".
No glass targets and clean up your mess......and dont shoot, cut, or damage any trees......you can hug them.
Here is from NYS code 190.8
(ab) No person shall possess breakable targets, including but not limited to clay pigeons, on State lands and no person shall target shoot at breakable targets, including but not limited to clay pigeons and glass containers, on State lands. Unless legally engaged in the act of hunting, no person shall discharge firearms on State lands posted or designated as closed to target shooting

 

[Patriot]

Perhaps we can make this a state wide forum?

For those on the Western Half of the state, the Alabama Swamps inside the Iroquois Wildlife refuge in Middleport is public land and okay to shoot. At least last time I was there. Get there early. Don't be an asshole. Clean up after yourself.

 

[Criticalt]

Ok, in Chautauqua Co we have thousands of acres of stateland open for target shooting.

 

[foolinwfire]

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/recrules/recrules.

Page 29 has rules for NYCDEP land access pertaining to firearms, just hunting rules apply. Still unclear to me.

 

[4excal]

Have any favorite spots in Dutchess?

I don't really go up that ways much any more so no. I did more often when I lived in Beekman, even then I still came back down to Putnam knowing I really wouldn't ever have an issue here(born and raised and know many dudes/judges in many departments..safer incase I ever did get my balls busted)

 

[Steal2B]

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...2014/09/12/west-mountain-state-park/15515825/

West Mountain State Park. Really the only show in town and some members go here, I have not been there in some time. I understand that if we abuse the area and do not clean up after ourselves we may lose access to shoot here. Quick access from Route 55. From Route 55 take what I believe is Pleasant ridge Road, several hundred feet past stop sign near the bend, I believe you drive straight a short distance and then fork right. The road becomes unpaved so I would not take a lowered suspension sissy car. There is state sign with postings on it and a parking area for our use. Again, Please do not shoot trees, no breakable targets and pick up after yourself. Apparently rangers indicated we may lose access for target shooting since some have been abusing the area.

 

[Blimey]

In my dec region (8) I have an email from one of the dec cops saved that says I can target shoot on the WMA as Long as no mess or damage to trees. If you go to dec website I think it shows icons next to allowed activities for various WMA. So anyway I have shot at the WMA close to me and also my range club.

 

[foolinwfire]

In my dec region (8) I have an email from one of the dec cops saved that says I can target shoot on the WMA as Long as no mess or damage to trees. If you go to dec website I think it shows icons next to allowed activities for various WMA. So anyway I have shot at the WMA close to me and also my range club.

Region 3 has a lot of restrictions pertaining to firearms, even in Sullivan County!

 

[Podmonkey]

I used to shoot at the Alabama swamps all the time. Hard to get a spot most times though.

 

[Ozmiander]

Anyone have a spot around Saratoga? I'm back on the waiting list at my club because i forgot to renew.

 

[Boricua2706]

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/...2014/09/12/west-mountain-state-park/15515825/

West Mountain State Park. Really the only show in town and some members go here, I have not been there in some time. I understand that if we abuse the area and do not clean up after ourselves we may lose access to shoot here. Quick access from Route 55. From Route 55 take what I believe is Pleasant ridge Road, several hundred feet past stop sign near the bend, I believe you drive straight a short distance and then fork right. The road becomes unpaved so I would not take a lowered suspension sissy car. There is state sign with postings on it and a parking area for our use. Again, Please do not shoot trees, no breakable targets and pick up after yourself. Apparently rangers indicated we may lose access for target shooting since some have been abusing the area.

They posted the NO TARGET SHOOTING SIGN because of people not cleaning up and shooting trees

 

[Sixbennetts]

I shoot at Snay Road in Macomb State Forest in Peru /Schuyler Falls, (far northeast corner of the state). DEC website says its OK.

Macomb State Forest - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Maybe search the DEC site for the words, "target", or, "shooting"?

*edit

Looks like you can make your own maybe?

Shooting Range Small Grants Program - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Here's a question nobody will answer, or basically give up. Where do you shoot, not a range, I'm talking public land that is legal to target shoot? I live in an area where my neighbors are too close, looking for public properties where I can target shoot that's legal, not cheap or poor but the range fees can add up! I'm mid downstate, Dutchess, and don't want to keep asking friends if I can use their properties, like to know some spots where I can go at anytime without permission if you know what I mean.

PS if you don't want to give it up to the whole forum just PM me LOL

NY Pocket Ranger app

 

[Acer-m14]

find on the dec's website the state land area for your area .. read the description .. unless posted no target shooting then its ok ..
don't shoot trees .. find a good backstop of earth ,... pick up your mess ..

@Sixbennetts that grant i do believe is for gun clubs with ranges and they have to be open for public use too ( don't need to be a member ) like the club where i am at .. the club kicks say 5K and the grant kicks in some more .. its not for making a range on state land