Im looking to put some targets out to a mile. Preferably in the Barstow area. Does anyone know of some spots?
Anyone shooting a mile+ in Southern California
- Thread starter Gold Exuberant Pony
- Start date
I’m not sure what the surrounding area of hodge looks like but I’ve gone there a few times to go plink. I’ve been able to shoot a few hundred yards there if I get far enough away from the knuckle heads there. However, a quick satellite search makes me wonder if you can put a target on one hill top and shoot from another? There’s a couple hills just northeast or the Lockheed facility.
(34.8573149, -117.2549568)
It may be worth looking into. It’s not blm though so shoot at your own risk.
(34.8573149, -117.2549568)
It may be worth looking into. It’s not blm though so shoot at your own risk.
I'm in Northern Cali, but the same process I use up here can be used around Barstow - except it's a lot easier because you have a crap-ton of BLM land within a stone's throw of Barstow.
First, Google Maps is your best friend, but it's all but useless if not used with the BLM Interactive Map found here:
What I do:
- Look for basic areas on the BLM map
- Go into Google Maps, switch to the terrain mode, and start looking for flat areas
- Toggle between terrain mode and satellite mode in Google to see what tree coverage looks like (not much of an issue around Barstow) - but also look for nearby buildings, etc. - another significant issue is sagebrush. It's not easy to shoot prone through it.
- Zoom in enough to see roads and tracks and look for access to possible shooting locations and access to possible target locations
- Double check on the BLM map that there aren't any gaps in BLM that you're infringing upon - in the area near Barstow, there are a lot of gaps, so you need to be careful
- Find a handful of good potential spots
- GO DO A SCOUTING TRIP! I can't emphasize this enough. DO NOT try to do a scouting trip and shooting trip at the same time. You end up doing a crappy job at both. This is especially important on BLM land used for running cattle. You can run into locked gates, etc. There is nothing compared to actually scouting an area first and getting the full lay of the land.
If you're really paranoid about whether you're able to shoot in a particular area, you can call the local BLM field office and ask about target shooting in that area.
Key rules:
- Have a good backstop
- Don't shoot over roads/tracks
- Don't shoot in close proximity to a road
Areas I'd look at:
34.647073, -116.797730
This area is northwest of East Ord Mountain. There seems to be a lot of offroading in the area that might cause issues, but that's why you scout. You could also look on the southeast side of East Ord Mountain since you'll be there.
Pros:
What I like about this valley is that there is a road that goes along the length of it, with hills on the northeast end that have easy access for a target location (it's much easier shooting slightly up at targets).
Cons:
It's really close to a fair number of people. Never a good thing with ELR.
The area around Ward Valley: 34.313123, -115.070117
This is a lot farther east, but it looks like you'd be away from people.
Pros: As mentioned, it's pretty out there. It also looks relatively flat with limited vegetation. It has a road going along the length of the valley with ample shooting locations and target access. If you Google search "Ward Valley" on maps, there are no pictures associated with it - that's a good thing.
Cons: It's farther away.
If I were traveling to the area and I had my gear with me, I'd try the Ward Valley area first.
First, Google Maps is your best friend, but it's all but useless if not used with the BLM Interactive Map found here:
What I do:
- Look for basic areas on the BLM map
- Go into Google Maps, switch to the terrain mode, and start looking for flat areas
- Toggle between terrain mode and satellite mode in Google to see what tree coverage looks like (not much of an issue around Barstow) - but also look for nearby buildings, etc. - another significant issue is sagebrush. It's not easy to shoot prone through it.
- Zoom in enough to see roads and tracks and look for access to possible shooting locations and access to possible target locations
- Double check on the BLM map that there aren't any gaps in BLM that you're infringing upon - in the area near Barstow, there are a lot of gaps, so you need to be careful
- Find a handful of good potential spots
- GO DO A SCOUTING TRIP! I can't emphasize this enough. DO NOT try to do a scouting trip and shooting trip at the same time. You end up doing a crappy job at both. This is especially important on BLM land used for running cattle. You can run into locked gates, etc. There is nothing compared to actually scouting an area first and getting the full lay of the land.
If you're really paranoid about whether you're able to shoot in a particular area, you can call the local BLM field office and ask about target shooting in that area.
Key rules:
- Have a good backstop
- Don't shoot over roads/tracks
- Don't shoot in close proximity to a road
Areas I'd look at:
34.647073, -116.797730
This area is northwest of East Ord Mountain. There seems to be a lot of offroading in the area that might cause issues, but that's why you scout. You could also look on the southeast side of East Ord Mountain since you'll be there.
Pros:
What I like about this valley is that there is a road that goes along the length of it, with hills on the northeast end that have easy access for a target location (it's much easier shooting slightly up at targets).
Cons:
It's really close to a fair number of people. Never a good thing with ELR.
The area around Ward Valley: 34.313123, -115.070117
This is a lot farther east, but it looks like you'd be away from people.
Pros: As mentioned, it's pretty out there. It also looks relatively flat with limited vegetation. It has a road going along the length of the valley with ample shooting locations and target access. If you Google search "Ward Valley" on maps, there are no pictures associated with it - that's a good thing.
Cons: It's farther away.
If I were traveling to the area and I had my gear with me, I'd try the Ward Valley area first.
I can do that, or we can plan a trip. I don't share very often, tired of all the idiots and people ruining all the shooting spots
I definitely understand the idiots ruining the spots. I am often the same way. I’m in AZ but when I visit friends in CA, we go to hodge when we want to shoot rifles.
Next time I plan a trip to that area I’ll shoot you a message.
