DRAFT Questions and Answers for Boulder Ranger District’s Dusk to Dawn Recreation Shooting Restriction in Lefthand OHV area and the Former Nederland Dump Q. Why is the “Dusk to Dawn” only being implemented in these areas? A. These two areas are the most popular places people tend to gather to shoot on the Boulder Ranger District. While these areas are safe for shooting during the day, we are concerned about public safety at night. The Boulder Ranger District receives many complaints about shooting at night in these locations. Unsafe-shooting is already prohibited; however, this closure order gives more enforcement tools in terms of penalties for non-compliance. This closure order adds additional penalties to people shooting after dusk. Q. Why now? A. We have been receiving more reports about shooting activities at night in these locations. Q. What does the order do to prevent shooting in this area? A. The closure order highlights that shooting after dark is not allowed in these areas. The closure order can be enforced by local, state and federal law enforcement. The order with its penalties may deter shooters from this unsafe practice. Q. What does the Dusk to Dawn Order do? A. Prohibits discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the Lefthand OHV area and the former Nederland Dumpsite. It is consistent with Colorado State Parks and Wildlife hunting regulations. It exempts law enforcement, legal hunting activities and paintball guns. Q. Isn’t shooting in the dark already illegal? A. Shooting in an unsafe manner in the day or at night is illegal. The penalty for shooting in an un-safe manner is a class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than (6) months or both 16 U.S.C 551 and 18, U.S.C 3559 and 3571. A mandatory court appearance is required. The Dusk to Dawn order specifically prohibits shooting in these two areas from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. People shooting at night in these areas can be issued violation notices for both types of violations and be subject to larger fines and penalties. The penalty for violating the closure order is punishable as a class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not 1

more than (6) months or both 16 U.S.C 551 and 18, U.S.C 3559 and 3571. A mandatory court appearance is required.

General Questions and Answers for Recreational Shooting Sports on the ARP Recreational Sports Shooting (RSS) Definitions: • • •

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Dispersed Shooting – Random and dispersed shooting that occurs throughout public lands, except in firearms closure areas. Undesignated Shooting Area – Popular or well-known sites where concentrated shooting use is evident. Designated Shooting Area – Specific locations designated by a land management agency for recreational shooting. The sites may or may not be improved, and are not supervised. It may accommodate rifle, pistol and/or shotgun shooting. Designated Shooting Range – Specific locations designated, developed and supervised for the purpose of informal shooting, event shooting or combination thereof. It may accommodate rifle, pistol and/or shotgun shooting.

1. Where can I find shooting information about the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland (ARP) on the web? On the ARP website at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/targetshooting and on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ShootingRanges/Pages/ShootingRanges.aspx

2. Where can I shoot? The National Forests and Grasslands have many places for RSS. There are no designated shooting areas on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland (ARP). You can shoot most places on the ARP as long as you follow: •

All shooting closures, regulations, target restrictions. This includes providing for the safety of yourself and others.

Remember to bring a good map with you. The ARP landownership pattern is very intermixed and it is important to make sure that you are not shooting on private land. Also to shoot safely you must have a reliable backstop and the area must be free of any person or property. A reliable backstop is one that can stop a bullet. There are many areas available to shoot that are not on the ARP. To find a location visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ShootingRanges/Pages/ShootingRanges.aspx 2

3. Do you have any specific recommendation where I can shoot? There are no designated shooting areas on the ARP. It is your responsibility to choose a safe area on National Forest System lands. It is recommended visitors either purchase an Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and/or Pawnee National Grassland map, or request a free Motor Vehicle Use Map. These maps show national forest land -- which is intermixed with other land throughout the forest. On the Sulphur Ranger District, there is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife free shooting range just outside of Hot Sulphur Springs. The range is located on Hwy. 40 near mile post 198 west of the town of Hot Sulphur Springs. Open sun-up to sun-down. Note: This range is closed during winter months to provide winter forage to big game. This closure is generally in effect beginning the first week in January. The range will remain closed until deer move toward higher ground in the spring, which typically occurs in early April. On the Pawnee National Grassland, larger areas on the north side of the grassland, either on the west or eastside, are not used as frequently. For those seeking amenities such as restrooms, benches, etc., there are several shooting clubs nearby. There are many areas available to shoot that are not on the ARP. To find a location visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ShootingRanges/Pages/ShootingRanges.aspx

4. Where can I site in my rifle? There are no designated areas on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. It is your responsibility to choose a safe area on National Forest System lands. There are many areas available to shoot that are not on the ARP. To find a location visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife webpage at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/ShootingRanges/Pages/ShootingRanges.aspx

On the Sulphur Ranger District, there is a Colorado Parks and Wildlife free shooting range just outside of Hot Sulphur Springs. On the PNG, an area often used is on the far east side, Colorado Highway 71 at County Road 120, on the east side of the road. There is a large bluff, where you can place your targets, and room to back up to give you plenty of range. Off road travel is not allowed, so targets will need to be set up and retrieved on foot. Make sure you leave no trace, give plenty of room for cattle, and leave gates as you found them. Do not use stock tanks, windmills or fences as a backstop. 5. What should I know before I go out? Be sure to know where you will find shooting closures. Each District has areas closed to RSS. (See Question 6 for details.) Also be sure you know the shooting regulations. (See Question 7 for specifics.) 3

Check with the local ranger district office to determine if roads you plan to travel are open. Many Forest Service roads close seasonally – maps can help. You may walk behind gates, but never park on private land or block any gate. Make sure to clean up after shooting, picking up spent shells and all targets. Also make sure to shoot against a safe backstop and know where bullets are going. A safe backstop is one that can stop a bullet. Make sure bullets stay on public land. Note that the Code of Federal Regulations (36 CFR 261 part 5 (b) prohibits firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition. This ammunition has started wildfires and you can be fined, as well as have to pay the cost of suppression and damages. Forest Order 10-00-2010-01 places additional restrictions on RSS activities taking place on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. •

Targets: You may only shoot cardboard targets, paper targets, manufactured metallic targets (metal targets specifically designed for firearms), or manufactured thrown-type clay targets (clay pigeons). Please note: Exploding targets are not permitted.

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Alcohol: You may not possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while discharging a firearm.

When travelling into the backcountry, let someone know where you are going, when you plan to return and what to do if you don't return as scheduled. Be aware of falling tree hazards in both dead and live stands. On the Pawnee National Grassland, make sure to take water and have a full gas tank before heading out. Amenities in the area are limited. 6. Where are specific closures? RSS closures vary by district. Be aware that other recreation or travel closures may be in effect. Watch for posted information and signs before discharging a firearm. Boulder Ranger District: • • • • •

Brainard Lake Recreational Area - No discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun except for legal hunting purposes (Order 10-01-2008-01); Lefthand Slot Canyon - no discharging a firearm (Order 10-01-2008-01); Lefthand Entrance - no discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun except persons legally hunting turkeys, waterfowl, small game or big game animals and persons discharging paintballs (UFC order); Former Allenspark Dump - no discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun (Order 10-012010-02). Dusk to Dawn- Prohibits discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun one-half hour after sunset to

one- half hour before sunrise in the Lefthand Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle area and the former Nederland Dumpsite. (Order 10-01-2012-07)

Canyon Lakes Ranger District: 4

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Within 1/4 mile of County Road 44H (Buckhorn Road ) from the national forest boundary on the east to the old Buckhorn Ranger Station on the west. (UFC Order) Within 1/4 mile of County Road 27 (Stove Prairie Road) from State Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon) south, within the national forest boundary. (UFC Order) Within 1/4 mile of County Road 47 (Big Elk Meadows Road) from state highway 36 to Forest Service Road 118 (Johnny Park Road) (UFC Order) Within 1/4 mile of county Road 117 (Christy Meadows) North of Highway 34 (UFC Order) Within 1/4 mile of Greyrock Trail (UFC Order)

Clear Creek Ranger District •

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The Barbour Forks area is closed - no discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun except persons legally hunting turkeys, waterfowl, small game or big game animals and persons discharging paintball guns (UFC order), one-fourth mile in all directions from the trailhead. The Beaver Brook area is closed to Discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, including paintball guns, except for persons possessing a valid Colorado hunting license lawfully involved in hunting and harvesting game. ( Order 10-07-2012-01)

*Pawnee National Grassland: An area located at Township 8 North, Range 63 West, Section 7 is closed to target shooting due to safety concerns (South of CR 96, for one quarter mile between CR 61 and CR 63, and west of CR 63 for one quarter mile between CR 94 and CR96). * The area along County Road 61 is closed to recreational shooting due to the lack of safe backstops. This area was signed as "no shooting" after a near miss by State Highway 14. Sulphur Ranger District: No area-specific closures. 7. What are the specific regulations/restrictions? Recreational shooting has been a longtime use of the National Forests and Grasslands. There are no designated shooting areas on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. According to the Code of Federal Regulations (title 36), recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands, as long as: 1. You are further than 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area. 2. You are not shooting across or on a National Forest System Road or adjacent body of water. 3. You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person or property is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge. (36 CFR 261 part 5 (b) prohibits firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.) Forest Order 10-00-2010-01 places additional restrictions on RSS activities taking place on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland. 5

Targets: You may only shoot cardboard targets, paper targets, manufactured metallic targets (metal targets specifically designed for firearms), or manufactured thrown-type clay targets (clay pigeons). Please note: Exploding targets are not permitted. Alcohol: You may not possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while discharging a firearm. Only use the approved targets with a safe backstop. A safe backstop is one that will stop a bullet. Make sure not to attach your targets to trees, slash piles, log piles, slash pile, stock tanks wind mills, fences or other improvements. Avoid areas with: • •

Livestock in the area and take extra precaution to avoid shooting in areas with cattle. Other people recreating in the area and take extra precaution to avoid recreators when shooting.

Pawnee National Grassland: Note that Bird Tour pullouts are considered developed recreation, prohibiting shooting within 150 yards. 8. What is the Forest Service doing about conflicts caused by RSS? We respond to RSS conflicts in the same manner as other conflicts among users. For example, we evaluate if education, engineering or enforcement are necessary to help remedy the situation. We address documented near misses quickly and in some cases have temporarily closed areas while we find a way to address the safety issue permanently. Currently we are working closely with front-range counties to identify opportunities for the full range of RSS activities dispersed across the landscape on multiple jurisdictions, including identifying areas that are not suitable for RSS activities. It will also utilize the concepts in the Report to Congress: Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop Study i.e. work collaboratively, provide opportunities across the landscape. 9. What is the RSS collaborative? What is the RSS Strategy? In 2011 and 2012, Forest Supervisor Glenn Casamassa asked the Northern Front Range County Commissioners to participate in a collaborative effort across multiple jurisdictions to address the recreational shooting issues and challenges in a strategic manner. The objective of this strategic approach is to provide the full complement of opportunities instead of a piece-meal approach on individual ownerships and jurisdictions. The group discussed a landscape level approach to managing RSS including a collective look at where RSS should and should not occur. The group continues to meet to formalize and discuss their next steps.

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10. Is it true that full metal jacket bullets are causing wildfires? Fifteen wildfires on the ARP have been caused by recreational shooting since January 2012. Nine of these fires were specifically caused by the use of steel core or metal jacket ammunition and occurred before conditions on the ground met the standards for implementing fire restrictions. Some of these fires affected private land and damaged fences. Several other wildfires in 2011 and 2012 were also suspected to be caused by the use of this type of ammunition. Evidence collected at the site couldn’t definitively determine the cause; however, shooting was the only activity taking place in the area at the time. As fire conditions worsened restrictions were put in place that included the restriction of shooting activities for the first time on the ARP. Tracer bullets and exploding targets have also started fires. 11. What should I do id I see someone shooting illegally? Do not endanger yourself. Safely leave the area and report it to 911, or the local law enforcement office. Try to remember as much information as you can such as make model and license plate of the associated vehicles, description of the people in question, the exact location.

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