Smokey in PHX
Member
Go to www.gf.state.az.us the AZ Game and Fish Site, click on Ben Avery Shooting Facility located under shooting sports. One of the nicest ranges in the US. Probably 30 minutes from where you live.
Phoenix,Arizona-Where to shoot?
- Thread starter Brockak47
- Start date
- Status
cutecarcharodon
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
- Messages
- 2
We recently went shooting in the 4 peaks wilderness area (near Mesa Arizona), and I was DISGUSTED by the mess people are leaving..... Shells, targets, brass, bottles, cans, diapers, tarps, a dead dog, smashed pumpkins, you name it. EVERYWHERE. Of course it's not all from people target shooting, but a lot of it is. Listen, I'm the FARTHEST thing from a bunny hugger, but this type of stuff makes us all look bad. On top of that, the USFS ends up closing down more and more recreational areas due to the few pathetic losers who can't clean up after themselves. My husband, son, and I will be up there soon to clean up. It's the least we can do to help make sure we still have a place to shoot in years to come. I hope you'll all join me in the fight.
WardenWolf
member
Regarding desert shooting, it's actually a lot more important you pick up brass cases than steel cases. Steel rusts. The earth will reclaim it within a few years. Brass doesn't, and only corrodes extremely slowly. Shotgun husks are a must, though. Now, I understand if you genuinely can't find some of your ejected shells. It happens. As long as you make an effort and get as many as you can find (and ideally anyone else's you come across), that's what counts.
For outdoor rifle ranges, there's Ben Avery and Rio Salado Sportsman's Club. Ben Avery's atmosphere changes from month to month as range officers come and go. From the middle of last year to this spring, I avoided there because the range officers were real jerks. You were constantly being harassed. Last time I went, though, it had calmed down and it was a pleasant outing. I had a table next to a couple of Russians who were shooting AK variants.
Kind of a pity, though, as this was the only time I didn't take any of my Commie guns.
For indoor ranges, there's the Scottsdale Gun Club and a few others. Scottsdale Gun Club's new location, SGC Peoria, will have a 100-yard indoor range once it's completed.
For outdoor rifle ranges, there's Ben Avery and Rio Salado Sportsman's Club. Ben Avery's atmosphere changes from month to month as range officers come and go. From the middle of last year to this spring, I avoided there because the range officers were real jerks. You were constantly being harassed. Last time I went, though, it had calmed down and it was a pleasant outing. I had a table next to a couple of Russians who were shooting AK variants.
Kind of a pity, though, as this was the only time I didn't take any of my Commie guns.For indoor ranges, there's the Scottsdale Gun Club and a few others. Scottsdale Gun Club's new location, SGC Peoria, will have a 100-yard indoor range once it's completed.
cutecarcharodon
Member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2011
- Messages
- 2
If the part of your reply regarding shooting in the desert was aimed at my post about trash, thank you. I appreciate your time and thoughts.
While I agree with everything you said, I wanted to further my point by saying that my biggest concern is giving the environmentalists fuel for their raging fire..... People today are not being raised as "good stewards" the way the middle aged and older were raised. It's sad that we need rules/regulations to replace common sense and courtesy.
I believe the earth can reclaim anything we throw at it, and will be none the worse for the wear when we're all dead and gone, but we can make a terrible mess for OURSELVES while we're here.
I would suggest taking a leaf rake, and a few trash bags with you when you go shooting. Do your part to keep things clean. It's not hard, and it will help us all maybe keep our freedoms just a little bit longer. Also, the desert is a beautiful place, and I always bring my camera, but............... not so much with all the trash. I think the off roading/4 wheeler crowd is just as much (if not more) to blame, but - we all need to do what we can. Anyway - thanks. I love this site, and appreciate all the information we get from it.
While I agree with everything you said, I wanted to further my point by saying that my biggest concern is giving the environmentalists fuel for their raging fire..... People today are not being raised as "good stewards" the way the middle aged and older were raised. It's sad that we need rules/regulations to replace common sense and courtesy.
I believe the earth can reclaim anything we throw at it, and will be none the worse for the wear when we're all dead and gone, but we can make a terrible mess for OURSELVES while we're here.
I would suggest taking a leaf rake, and a few trash bags with you when you go shooting. Do your part to keep things clean. It's not hard, and it will help us all maybe keep our freedoms just a little bit longer. Also, the desert is a beautiful place, and I always bring my camera, but............... not so much with all the trash. I think the off roading/4 wheeler crowd is just as much (if not more) to blame, but - we all need to do what we can. Anyway - thanks. I love this site, and appreciate all the information we get from it.
Bobson
Member
I was about to jump to recommend Ben Avery Shooting Facility, but you mentioned you've been there and didn't like the atmosphere. Not sure exactly what you mean by that. What did you dislike about it?
It's $7 to get in and you can shoot as long as you want. I haven't been to many other ranges in the valley, but I always thought the price is really fair. It's really clean, and I've never seen it more than half-full.
They've got lanes from 100 yards on down, and you can set the targets at 10, 15, 25, 50, 100 yards, and so on. It's about ten minutes from my home, and I love the place. Employees are polite and professional, and strict about the safety rules; and with one exception, all the other shooters I've ever met there were very friendly. The one exception I referenced was when I saw a small group of shooters a couple lanes away from mine - looked like three friends - out there shooting their handguns sideways (read: "thug" style), and just gave me a weird vibe, but they left about 15 minutes after I got there. And like I said, I've been a handful of different times now, and that was the only time I ever saw anyone who seemed on the "unsavory side" at Ben Avery.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of target shooting in the desert here. You can definitely get away with it, but I'm yet to find a spot where it's actually legal, and that's including several lawful public-land hunting areas.
Dutchman195
Member
I'm from Tucson and generally go out and shoot in the desert. Out here it's legal, few simple rules you have to follow but other then that it's basically setting up your own range and being a safe as possible.
From my couple experiences at Ben Avery, the staff is mean and un-friendly (@ssholes/****** bags is a better term). There have to be better established ranges up there that people listed here.
Not worth the drive but Casa Grade has a really nice public and free range that you are allowed to plink stuff at. Not sure how big it is thought
From my couple experiences at Ben Avery, the staff is mean and un-friendly (@ssholes/****** bags is a better term). There have to be better established ranges up there that people listed here.
Not worth the drive but Casa Grade has a really nice public and free range that you are allowed to plink stuff at. Not sure how big it is thought
Bobson,
I haven't looked at the actual regs in a while, but I believe as long as you are:
On private property with permission
or
On public land (not Indian) not specifically posted no shooting/hunting
and
Not shooting within 1/4 mile of a building, occupied or not,
Not shooting from or across a road,
Not within city limits/incorporated areas, and
Not creating a dangerous situation/nuisance
You should be free to target shoot here in AZ. Of course don't take potshots at cacti (though that has a way of invoking a Darwin Award at times... problem solved) and do pick up after yourself, you should be good.
If you have information to the contrary, I'd like to hear it.
hth
Last edited:
Bobson
Member
I don't.
Like I said, I just hadn't found public land where it wasn't posted. Then again, I'm not trying to find any lol.
WardenWolf
member
Shooting on public land is indeed legal. You just have to make sure it's none of the conditions Nullcone listed.
Regarding roads, the law specifically states "maintained roads". In other words, if you find an unmarked, unmaintained, clearly unofficial dirt track in the desert (and believe me, they exist), that is not legally considered a road. That doesn't mean you should shoot across or down it (that would still be reckless), but you're not restricted from shooting NEAR it or FROM it (valuable to know during hunting season). Standard gun safety rules apply. Be sure of your target and what's behind it, and keep some basic situational awareness.
Regarding roads, the law specifically states "maintained roads". In other words, if you find an unmarked, unmaintained, clearly unofficial dirt track in the desert (and believe me, they exist), that is not legally considered a road. That doesn't mean you should shoot across or down it (that would still be reckless), but you're not restricted from shooting NEAR it or FROM it (valuable to know during hunting season). Standard gun safety rules apply. Be sure of your target and what's behind it, and keep some basic situational awareness.
Brockak47
Member
I just would like to pop in again and say I moved up the Prescott valley/Dewey area and now can shoot freely. I am only a short drive from the BLM land. IT'S AWESOME =)
and On the Ben Avery note, I didn't like it because I wasn't a fan of the range officers, also it seemed to be very crowded on the weekends even on Mondays. I even tried the Usury mountain shooting range, loved it, but it was VERY crowded .
and On the Ben Avery note, I didn't like it because I wasn't a fan of the range officers, also it seemed to be very crowded on the weekends even on Mondays. I even tried the Usury mountain shooting range, loved it, but it was VERY crowded .
WardenWolf
member
Brock, the range officers change from time to time. Give it another chance. I've been there when they're real buttholes, and I've been there when it's pleasant and laid back. The current crop seems good.
I used to shoot at Ben Avery in the early 70's when I lived in Phx. Frequented Bond's Gun Shop at 24th St & Indian School. Bought my first handgun there in 1972, an S&W 28.
Sheesh I thought the area of the range would be built up by now. Seemed like a long way from town back 40 years ago. Had a run in with a RO but he probably isn't there anymore. Someday I hope to get back there and visit.
Sheesh I thought the area of the range would be built up by now. Seemed like a long way from town back 40 years ago. Had a run in with a RO but he probably isn't there anymore. Someday I hope to get back there and visit.
- Status
