Recreational Target Shooting
Target Shooting on DNR Managed Land
Target shooting is classified by DNR as a “dispersed activity”. As such, DNR does not operate or maintain any designated locations for target shooting and cannot provide specific advice on where to shoot. It is the responsibility of shooters to identify locations which meet the criteria contained within WAC 332-52-145. Some key rules to remember when choosing a target shooting location on DNR-managed lands include:
- Fire only into an unobstructed earthen backstop capable of stopping all projectiles.
- Know your target and what’s beyond. Never place targets on top of berms or shoot over the horizon.
- Explosive or incendiary targets are prohibited.
- Tracer or incendiary ammunition is prohibited.
- No shooting within 500 feet of a recreation site or structure.
- Don’t shoot across, along, or down roads or trails.
- Use manufactured targets only.
- Leave no trace. Pack out all spent shells, ammunition boxes, target remnants, and other debris.
Unless otherwise posted, target shooting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Some areas may be designated or posted as "No Shooting" to ensure public safety. Please observe and comply with all posted signage. If you have further questions about target shooting in a specific area, contact the relevant region for more information, or reach out to targetshooting@dnr.wa.gov.
Additional information and recommendations can be found at the following links:
Fire Safety and Dispersed Target Shooting
Current Work
Each decade, the number of people recreating on DNR-managed lands has increased, and development in rural areas has accelerated rapidly. With more people than ever out enjoying their public lands, the number of conflicts between different user groups has increased. As a result, DNR has found it increasingly difficult to offer a safe and satisfactory level of opportunity for recreational target shooting. Several popular dispersed shooting locations have been closed to public access due to safety concerns, resource damage, and litter. DNR hears regularly from responsible target shooters who express concerns that opportunities for target shooting are diminishing, and that target shooters as a user group are not adequately represented in broader discussions about recreation planning on state lands.
In response DNR is working to adjust its approach to target shooting management. The objective for this work is to provide high-quality opportunities for recreational target shooting on DNR-managed lands while improving public safety and addressing concerns related to resource damage, land abuse, and environmental contamination. There will be no “one size fits all” solution to this challenge, and any approach will be tailored to the unique and diverse landscapes managed by DNR.
Target shooting closures
There are a number of target shooting closures across DNR-managed lands due to public safety, environmental, or other concerns. This list is not comprehensive of all closures. Please observe posted signage in addition to following relevant RCW prior to target shooting on a landscape.
Tahuya and Green Mountain State Forest
The Shoofly Pit in Tahuya State Forest closed to target shooting, as are all other DNR-managed lands accessed off Hurd Rd and NE Elfendahl Pass Rd south of NE Belfair-Tahuya Rd. Please do not target shoot in areas with signage stating that shooting is not allowed.
The Onion Pit in Green Mountain State Forest is also closed to target shooting. These recreational target shooting restrictions do not include legal WDFW hunting opportunities in the affected areas.
The Triangle Pit at Capitol State Forest is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The access gate will be closed promptly at 5:00 p.m.
The Capitol State Forest has areas closed to target shooting. Target shooting is not allowed:
- On a 5-mile corridor on the C-Line, starting from D-4000 up to Low Bank Pit
- On the D-4000 between the C-Line and D-Line
The following areas in the Yacolt Burn State Forest are closed to target shooting:
- On the entirety of the L-1000 Road
- On the L-1500 Road from four corners eastbound until the rock pit
- On the entirety of the L-1400 Road
- On the entirety of the L-1410 Road
- On a 1-mile section of the L-1600 Road proceeding east from Jones Creek ORV Trailhead
- On the L-1200 Road, where is it signed “No Shooting”
- Anywhere that doesn’t meet the WAC criteria
Tiger Mountain State Forest is within the Snoqualmie Corridor, which is a no-shooting corridor for target shooting. The corridor also includes some of our natural areas.
Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forest
Due to a public safety incident, target shooting is closed until further notice from DNR Road 8 between the junction with Stoner Rd/278th Avenue East and DNR Rd 8-18. Lawful hunting opportunities as managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) are not impacted by this closure.
Target shooting in Harry Osborne State Forest, including the Medford Pit, is closed due to ongoing public safety concerns and issues with garbage disposal.
WAC 332-52-145
Firearms and target shooting
(1) What is recreational target shooting? Recreational target shooting is the use of a firearm or bow and arrow on targets and the sighting in of rifles or other firearms on department-managed lands. The department regulates and enforces target shooting on department-managed lands.
(a) The department may restrict target shooting for the reasons set forth in WAC 332-52-100.
(b) Persons shall not target shoot carelessly, recklessly, or without regard for the safety of any person, or in a manner that endangers, or is likely to endanger, any person, pet, livestock, wildlife or property.
(c) Persons shall not discharge tracer or incendiary ammunition or projectile devices on department-managed lands. For purposes of this subsection, "incendiary" means causing or designed to cause fires, such as certain substances or bombs. "Tracer ammunition" means a bullet, projectile, or shell that traces its own course in the air with a trail of smoke, chemical incandescence, or fire, so as to facilitate adjustment of the aim.
(2) Does recreational target shooting include hunting? No. This section does not apply to hunting activities, which are subject to the rules and regulations administered by the Washington state department of fish and wildlife.
(3) Where is target shooting permitted?
(a) Persons may target shoot in:
(i) Developed recreation facilities specifically designed for target shooting; or
(ii) Areas with an unobstructed, earthen backstop capable of stopping all projectiles and debris in a safe manner.
Persons shall not target shoot in any other location.
(b) Persons shall not shoot within, from, along, across, or down roads or trails.
(c) Persons shall not shoot on, at, across, along, down, from, or within five hundred feet, of:
(i) Recreational facilities that are not specifically designed for target shooting;
(ii) Residences;
(iii) Businesses;
(iv) Structures;
(v) Other areas as restricted;
(vi) Areas designated or posted as no shooting.
(4) What may be used as a target?
(a) Items that are commercially manufactured for the specific purpose of target shooting or similar targets privately manufactured by the person(s) engaging in target shooting that are consistent with this section.
(b) Unauthorized targets include but are not limited to:
(i) Natural features, except earthen berms or banks used as backstops for target shooting;
(ii) Vegetation;
(iii) Structures;
(iv) Gates;
(v) Vehicles;
(vi) Signs;
(vii) Other department improvements;
(viii) Appliances;
(ix) Furniture;
(x) Glass;
(xi) Privately owned or occupied structures;
(xii) Pets, service animals or livestock;
(xiii) Wildlife;
(xiv) Explosive and incendiary items;
(xv) Garbage of any kind.
Persons shall not target shoot at unauthorized targets.
(5) When is target shooting permitted? Unless otherwise posted, persons shall not target shoot one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise.
(6) Is possession of a loaded firearm in or on a motor vehicle permitted on department-managed lands? Persons shall not possess a loaded firearm in or on a motor vehicle, except as provided by state law.
(7) Who is responsible for disposing of spent items resulting from target shooting? Persons who target shoot shall dispose of spent items and remove all shell casings, targets, ammunition packaging, or target fragments resulting from their activity, with the exception of biodegradable clay targets. Failure to remove any such debris is prohibited.
(8) Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor except a violation of subsection (7) of this section is an infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW.
