Due to ongoing public safety concerns, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will close a parcel of state land in Stevens County to target shooting beginning Thursday, October 5.

 

The closure of the Boggs Pit parcel to target shooting comes in response to an increase in reported stray bullets in nearby residential areas. Recent incidents at the site 7 miles north of Deer Park have included stray bullets and bullet holes in garage doors and vehicles.

 

Additional reports have also revealed the continued use of Tannerite in target shooting near Boggs Pit, which is not permitted per WAC 332-52-145, and has led to a wildfire this year.

 

“We understand that this is a popular area for target shooting, but there’s no excuse for shooting homes or vehicles,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. “The irresponsible shooters at Boggs Pit are putting people’s lives in danger and have left us no choice but to shut down shooting here to ensure our neighbors are safe.”

 

Multiple wildfires in and around Boggs Pit in recent years are attributable to target shooting, including the blaze earlier this year. DNR has temporarily closed the area to target shooting in the past due to high fire danger and prescribed burns.

 

Lawful hunting will still be allowed at Boggs Pit.

 

“Although the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office finds the closure of Boggs Pit unfortunate, we do support the closure,” said Stevens County Sheriff Brad Manke. “While the rules surrounding the use of the area on DNR land for shooting are clearly posted, they are frequently disregarded and have created a public safety issue. The Sheriff’s Office has responded repeatedly to Boggs Pit for littering, fires, shooting after hours, bullets ricocheting near adjacent landowners’ homes, people shooting incendiary targets, shooting during fire closures, and most recently a nearby landowner finding a bullet hole in their vehicle. There is a definite need for areas for the public to utilize for shooting enjoyment and sport, which we very much support, but when public safety cannot be reasonably be guaranteed due to the location, alternatives need to be sought.”

 

“In northeastern Washington, responsible gun ownership and use is a part of our way of life,” said Sen. Shelly Short, R-Addy. “Unfortunately, there are those who have chosen to behave irresponsibly and place people’s lives and property at risk. I hate to see DNR close a designated shooting area intended for all of us. I wish it hadn’t come to this. But this was a decision DNR had to make in the interest of public safety.”

 

“The Stevens County Board of County Commissioners strongly supports firearms ownership and recognizes that the vast majority of firearm owners are responsible individuals,” said Stevens County Commissioner Mark Burrows. “However, following numerous reports of homes, vehicles, and outbuildings being struck by bullets from the Boggs Pit location, as well as fires resulting from activities at the site, this closure has become necessary. Closures of this kind can be a result of increased population density in areas where firearms enthusiasts target practice. Closures can also occur when shooting incidents, due to either carelessness or inexperience, become a significant public safety concern.”

 

The majority of DNR parcels allow target shooting, except where prohibited by local ordinance or where no-shooting signs are posted. Shooting on DNR parcels is allowed 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset and requires biodegradable targets and an earthen backstop. Incendiary devices – such as exploding targets, sky lanterns, or tracer ammunition – are illegal on all 13 million acres of DNR-protected lands. Violators of the shooting closure could be subject to fines.

 

Learn more about the rules for safe shooting at dnr.wa.gov/targetshooting.

 

DNR manages 1,200 miles of trails and 160-plus recreation sites across 3 million acres of working forest state trust lands and nearly 100 natural areas. DNR trust lands provide clean water and generate revenue for public services and school construction. DNR also oversees 2.6 million acres of state aquatic lands, rule administration for 12 million forested acres, the Washington Geological Survey, and wildland firefighting across 13 million acres of forestland. To learn more about recreation on DNR-managed lands, visit dnr.wa.gov/go.

 

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Communications Consultant

360-902-1000

dnrnews@dnr.wa.gov