Shooting clays on Game Lands?

Sigogglin

Sigogglin

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Not sure if this is the right section, but let's say it falls under "outdoors"

I like shooting clays, but it's been kinda hard to find a place to do it. I don't have any land to shoot on and don't know anyone who does. The public ranges near me explicitly prohibit it, and I got an earful from a game warden about it once.

I do have a fair bit of game land with some open fields near me here in Macon county. Is it kosher to shoot them there? I can't find any info on it on the NC Forest Service website but it feels weird that it would be allowed on game lands but not at the ranges. General target shooting is generally permitted on Nantahala Game Lands. Just don't want a ticket.
 
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I can't quote the regs by heart, but I seem to remember reading that target shooting except at approved ranges, is verboten on Game Lands.

If they said no at the range, you might be SOL as far as Game Lands go.

EDITS:
Page 79:
• Where prohibited, target shooting is defined
as the discharge of a firearm for purposes
other than hunting, trapping or self-defense.

"Where prohibited," so maybe not all areas are...
Page 82list rules for individual Game Lands.

Angola Bay, Brinkleyville, and Buckridge all show this bullet point:
• Target shooting is prohibited.

Others do not. So apparently, target shooting is only prohibited on some Game lands.

Sandy Mush is prohibited; Nantahala and Pisgah are apparently not.

Looks like you just have to find one of those.

I learned something here today.
 
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Yeah, target shooting is allowed on Nantahala game lands.

Guess my best bet is to call a game warden.
 
They used to look the other way but started enforcing it around here a few years back.
 
May also be a sporting clay range near you also. There are three within 25 minutes of me in central NC.
 
I doubt it's allowed. If you are target shooting you are supposed to take everything with you. The biodegradable clays is kind of a joke. It takes years. But best bet is to call NCWRC.

I know Swain HS has a shooting team. But they probably practice on private property. WCU's trap field is long gone.
 
chiefjason said:
I doubt it's allowed. If you are target shooting you are supposed to take everything with you. The biodegradable clays is kind of a joke. It takes years. But best bet is to call NCWRC.

I know Swain HS has a shooting team. But they probably practice on private property. WCU's trap field is long gone.
Click to expand...


The only thing biodegradable about clays is the color. Just watched a video about how they are made. Petroleum pitch and talc.
 
NCWRC in Raleigh and my local NC Forest Service office both say sporting clays are kosher on game lands that allow target shooting. Just pick up any unbroken clays and other trash.
 
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I was a club member and the clays were a foot deep on the throw line. If they degrade its decades.
 
Yeah. I'm kinda torn. I'd like to be able to go out on a Saturday and fling 50-100 clays without driving 3 hours but I don't want to leave an ugly mess on game lands either.

Maybe I just suck it up and find a club.
 
This one's easy. Just throw 'em over water. Problem solved.

Next!
 
Sigogglin said:
but I don't want to leave an ugly mess on game lands either.
Click to expand...
Bring a rake, contractor clean up bag, a dustpan, and some gloves?

I / any reasonable person would have ZERO problem if I encountered a crew of clay hunters if I saw them policing their area. It checks all the boxes of using and respecting public lands set aside for outdoor recreation.

(Of course, not all users of those lands are reasonable. But as long as you're in communication with WRF and follow their guidelines, the heck with those clowns.)
 
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