CO folks: using firearms in state/national forests?

[MadMatt]

We will be camping in the Buffalo Creek/Wellington Lake area this weekend, and I really want to show my wife how to use our shotgun. I've been working nights lately, and being the paranoid husband that I am, I want her to be able to protect herself at home. Plus, shotguns are fun.

Anyway, what are the rules regarding using a firearm in the public lands? Do we need to be in designated areas? How far from a road or trail? Where would suggest I go to show her how to use the shotgun without getting arrested? I'm comfortable with gun safety - handling, ensuring a good backdrop, etc, but I don't know the laws about using them on public lands.

Thanks!

[This End Up]

I don't know the actual rules, I have heard people shooting guns in National Forest, outside of hunting season. In general the farther you can get from other, potential anti-gun, people the better. I'd try to find a short box canyon or gully which will prevent any stray shot hitting anyone you didn't know was there, and will muffle the sound somewhat.

[lemon boy]

Matt- In general the area of forest you're headed to is mostly "No Shooting" except in the pursuit of legal game animals. That said, either go or come via 285 and take the pine junction turn as you drive down that road (you're aiming to come into wellington via 550 here) past buffalo creek a good ways, you'll come down a smallish hill as the road starts to flatten out and goes into a sweeping right hand turn there's a bridge and a small FR turnoff there take that right…if you miss it just up a little ways is a turnaround/gate to a clearcut sale (on the left) where you can turnaround (under 100yds), not very far (100yds) up the right you take is a small heavily abused (lots of trash) "range" I believe it is before 550 but it might not be, if you hit Deckers/Wigwam you've gone way too far.

Most NF/BLM though is a free for all, except around campgrounds/buildings, state forest I'd take on a case by case. Where you're going sees a ton of use and as such is more regulated.

The other place you can go is Cherry Creek, I've taken a number of 1st time shotgunners there to shoot (have to pay the range fee + park fee), I'd bring a cardboard box with you, tell the range dude that you just want to get her comfortable and he'll let you fire off some rounds at it…and then you can shoot some clays (rent a pedastal but bring shells and clays they're expensive at the range), they also have a "patterning board" which if nobody's on it is a great place to "target shoot" with a shotgun (bring some LARGE paper targets). At CC - All rifles and pistols must be CASED going to the range (rifle/pistol range) however, for shotguns go in and pay, then you'll drive over to the shotgun range where shotguns may be uncased.

General- wherever you go, be sure to bring some protective eyewear (shades), earplugs and I would buy the cheapest light dove loads (should be on sale right now) you can b/c they won't beat her up too bad. Also, depending on what you bought she may have a difficult time shooting it. My wife can shoot my 12ga but much prefers the 20ga (so do I ). Even though totally unnecessary, most first timers really like to have some sort of "extra" padding behind the butt.

Have fun.

[Griz]

In general, the area is actually pretty good for finding shooting spots, although I usually head a little farther south of Deckers. What's nice about shotguns (for those who are non-familiar and generally afraid when they hear gun fire) is that the danger zone is really only about 150 yards maximum - the bee-bees lose virtually all their energy by then. So, as long as you can see a 150 yards in the direction you are shooting, and nobody is there, you are good to go. Are you taking a thrower and clays or just shootin? What kind of action is the shotgun you're introducing your wife to?

[lemon boy]

Not to be a contrarian but that really only works for light birdshot, 150yds is still in breaking skin range for anything bigger like bbb/hevi 2s or T and any of the buckshot (not an inclusive list).

[Griz]

Not to be a contrarian but that really only works for light birdshot, 150yds is still in breaking skin range for anything bigger like bbb/hevi 2s or T and any of the buckshot (not an inclusive list).

Good clarification - I was making the assumption of typical bird loads, not heavier than 6-8s. And as you recommended, his wife would probably most enjoy sport/dove loads (7.5 -8s). I definately wouldn't shoot 3 1/2'' magnum turkey 2's at anything from 150 yards that I didn't want to damage. (My shoulder is shuddering at that thought right now).

Btw, What do you have in your shotgun arsenal LB?

[flatlander#2]

lots of cool ones....

[gorms]

just a psa---but dont set your target on the trail like a bunch of pounders did when we were riding Kenosha pass last weekend. We turned a corner and a kid had a bow drawn while one of his bros just finished unloading a handgun--they didnt see us until we were right in front of them. Luckily we were going up hill cause we could have come in hot from the other direction.

[MadMatt]

I believe it is before 550 but it might not be, if you hit Deckers/Wigwam you've gone way too far.


Have fun.

Great, thanks.

I think I see where you are talking about on the topo map.

I'll also have to check Cherry Creek out.

In general, the area is actually pretty good for finding shooting spots, although I usually head a little farther south of Deckers.

Are you taking a thrower and clays or just shootin? What kind of action is the shotgun you're introducing your wife to?

Cool.

I'm just showing her my 20 gauge, single shot, hammer action shotgun for now. I'm going to bring along some of the garage sale signs we have left over from last weekend. I just want to get her comfortable with a gun, since she's so timid.

just a psa---but dont set your target on the trail like a bunch of pounders did when we were riding Kenosha pass last weekend. We turned a corner and a kid had a bow drawn while one of his bros just finished unloading a handgun--they didnt see us until we were right in front of them. Luckily we were going up hill cause we could have come in hot from the other direction.

That's bullshit, I can't believe those people didn't have any common sense.

[lemon boy]

Griz- very basic:


Rem 870 Express Mag 12 with my new barrel ohhh yeah (only for turkey + house + goose only hunts)
Huglu 20ga SxS use it for all bird shooting other than turkeys
Rem 700 .270